Do You Create Your Own Plans or Do You Have a Quality Source For Them?

[Ronald Blue]

Back Story, granddaughter wants me to build a glass top makeup desk. I've found some simple ones that are like that. But they only have three drawers on top. She wants many more. She has a lot of "stuff". Suggestions on good sources if they exist? Or do you do your own design work? I know to steer clear of "Ted's Plans". I don't mind buying them if something that will work is available. Or if there are some I can modify to make it work.

[Ben Rivel]

Sounds like a good opportunity to start learning 3D CAD and design specifically what youre after.

But to answer your question, I CAD out EVERYTHING I build before I do it. Ensures that I know exactly what Im going for and reduces mistakes.

[Paul F Franklin]

I have yet to come across plans for anything that is exactly right for me, so I do my own designs, usually in sketchup, usually to point of having working, dimensioned drawings for at least the major stuff. Of course nothing ever ends up exactly to the dimensions in the plans, but it's a starting point for the build.

But I often use plans, or just photos published in a mag or book or online as inspiration or a starting point for a design, and then take it from there. For one thing, if I'm attracted to a design or a photo it usually means the piece has pleasing proportions (at least to my eye) and that's a valuable starting point for any design. Often I'll combine features from multiple pieces into my design. And often I'll tweak the joinery to suit my tools and skill set.

[Doug Dawson]

I have yet to come across plans for anything that is exactly right for me, so I do my own designs, usually in sketchup, usually to point of having working, dimensioned drawings for at least the major stuff. Of course nothing ever ends up exactly to the dimensions in the plans, but it's a starting point for the build.

But I often use plans, or just photos published in a mag or book or online as inspiration or a starting point for a design, and then take it from there. For one thing, if I'm attracted to a design or a photo it usually means the piece has pleasing proportions (at least to my eye) and that's a valuable starting point for any design. Often I'll combine features from multiple pieces into my design. And often I'll tweak the joinery to suit my tools and skill set.

The wood is going to tell me what it wants to be. The divergence of that intention from whatever somebody is asking of you, can be somewhat amusing.

Typically I’ll start with a rough perspective sketch in pencil, with very rough dimensions added. (That way a desk is less likely to turn into an armoire, because I don’t need an armoire.) Then, as the piece comes together, I’ll adjust things to suit the wood and the eye.

[Lisa Starr]

I draw my own plans in LibreCad. That said, if I see a photo or sketch of something that I find particularly appealing, I've often resorted to scaling it to get the basic proportions.

[Timothy Thorpe Allen]

Plans? What are those? I just make things up as I go....

[Tom Bain]

I may look at plans for inspiration or certain details, but I always do my own for anything complex. Usually start with rough sketches on paper, and then it all goes into Sketchup to generate detailed drawing and dimensions.

[Frederick Skelly]

I usually draw out what I'm going to build. I seldom do full up plans though. I draw and size the overall piece and then do detail drawings of complex parts. I use Dad's old t-square and triangles.

[Lee Schierer]

For most projects I draw out plans using a 2D card program. I print drawings with dimensions for use in my shop. I feel that a plan saves time and reduces scrap.

[David Buchhauser]

Back Story, granddaughter wants me to build a glass top makeup desk. I've found some simple ones that are like that. But they only have three drawers on top. She wants many more. She has a lot of "stuff". Suggestions on good sources if they exist? Or do you do your own design work? I know to steer clear of "Ted's Plans". I don't mind buying them if something that will work is available. Or if there are some I can modify to make it work.


Perhaps you can find a set of plans that is similar to your idea, then modify them to suit your needs. This does not necessarily need to be cad drawings, just a sketch with dimensions to work from. I have done this plenty of times before. Good luck.
David

[Ronald Blue]

Is Sketchup relatively easy to learn? I've not used it. I've caught on to Vectric fairly quickly for my CNC router. So this old dog can learn some new tricks. :D

[Jim Becker]

Plans? What plans? LOL. Seriously, I'll sketch something out to determine major dimensions most of the time. I have from time to time used SketchUp to help visualize something and lately, I'll actually leverage my Vectric software for some drawing because I'm combining components from the CNC with things done off the CNC, such as my recent bench projects. There have been a few times that I have used other folks plans, such as some projects years ago from Thos Moser's book or Norm Abram's NYW plans, but most of the time I envision what I want, establish general parameters and move forward from there.

[Stan Calow]

Except for very simple things, I have learned that when I try to wing it, I'll run into problems, miss details, or get proportions wrong. So I prefer to work from magazine articles or plans from the woodworking magazine websites. If I'm thinking of making something new, I'll look online through the articles and plans at Fine Woodworking, Popular Woodworking, and Woodsmith, for something close, and modify as necessary. I'll sketch some details out, but the plans help me avoid mistakes.

[glenn bradley]

My process is usually pencil and scratch pad to start. Once an idea starts to gel I will go to SketchUp which takes care of finalizing all my dimensions, joinery angles and curves. If I am working in a style (or construction method) I am comfortable with I will only SketchUp an overall view and a few exploded views of any critical joinery areas. For things I haven't done, or haven't done for a while I will build a full front, side, back, etc. orthogonal set of drawings plus the joinery details.

Woodsmith, Wood and Fine Woodworking magazines have pretty decent plans. Not necessarily specific to what you want to build, that's up to you but, they have good detail drawings of joinery and carcass constructs. These along with your own imagination can get you to a design you want with construction methods that will survive the seasons. I have never done full size drawings but, want to give that a try to see if the advantages are there for me.

[Ronald Blue]

Except for very simple things, I have learned that when I try to wing it, I'll run into problems, miss details, or get proportions wrong. So I prefer to work from magazine articles or plans from the woodworking magazine websites. If I'm thinking of making something new, I'll look online through the articles and plans at Fine Woodworking, Popular Woodworking, and Woodsmith, for something close, and modify as necessary. I'll sketch some details out, but the plans help me avoid mistakes.

That's me. I tend to not think of all the factors when a project get's more complex and then I have to figure out a work around or in some instances start over. That's why I figure a "road map" would be best for me. Plus while I think I'm capable of most anything I set out to accomplish I don't have ton's of woodworking experience like the majority here have. Now if it's mechanical stuff I have a lot of expertise there. Not vehicles but machinery(heavy equipment). But disassembly/reassembly is different than building from scratch also. I originally was a machinist/tool and die maker and worked from blue prints often. Sometimes I try to be to precise in woodworking and sometimes I am not precise enough.:eek:

[Mike Henderson]

I do simple projects out of my head. For more complex projects I do a drawing. If the project is symmetrical, such as a chest of drawers, I only draw half for certain views.

Mike

[Bob Riefer]

As a guy someplace along the early to mid part of the woodworking learning curve, I've found that working from a nice set of plans (including written instructions) can be a really great "teacher" - and one that is basically "free", and is extremely flexible to my schedule.

Over time, project ideas have increasingly called upon skills that I have already learned from one of my early build-from-plan efforts, so I feel confident enough to try it on my own.

When I do want to sketch something out, I usually start free hand with pencil and paper. In some cases, I use MS Excel (with all cells formatted to be perfect squares) as a very simple and accessible "drawing program" (using each cell as a square 1/4 inch, and drawing borders). It's clunky, but effective for the simpler types of things that I build.

[Steve Rozmiarek]

"Drawing it" it a good part of the fun, don't outsource it! You can use whatever medium strikes your fancy.

For woodworking projects I personally prefer a pencil and paper. Allows a more organic process. CAD is fine, it gets used in my shop for house size things but I don't like to use my software (Sketchup and Chief Architect) on small stuff because its slower than just using a pencil and paper.

[Robert Engel]

I tried Sketchup too steep learning curve for me, so I draw it out I enjoy that anyway I think the inner meis a draftsman. I use plans mainly to get an idea of proportions I figure they’ve already worked that out.

Unless you use it a lot and/or are very quick learner I think valuable time can be wasted sweating details that won’t be figured out until it’s started. For example joinery.

[Ron Citerone]

I generally start with the overall dimensions and sketch from there with pencil and paper. Sometimes I need to build to a certain size, and other times (mostly now) I let my lumber pile drive some of the design. For example, I like to avoid glue ups for drawer fronts and make them out of a single piece. Door panels I like a single piece if possible or at least a glue up from the same board to match color and grain.

I think as your experience increases the trend is normally from more detailed plans to less detailed sketches.

[Thomas McCurnin]

Well there is design, and then there are the detailed plans.

For design, I generally have an idea what I want to build. I then consult my library of woodworking books or google the project for "images," and see if there is a design I like or I might use 2-3 designs and incorporate elements of each.

For plans, I generally modify even the most perfect of plans to suit my home or my stature. As stated, I'll incorporate various design elements into the plans. Then I'll draw something up on 1/4" graph paper. For detailed or complicated stuff, I draw out joinery or the piece full size on large graph paper or a sheet of 1/8" melamine.

I wish I could do CAD, but the learning curve seems steep and the prices of the software are too much for me, as compared to how often I would use it.

[Eric Arnsdorff]

Unless it’s a very simple project I always make my own plans using CAD. These days I always use a solid modeler (OnShape is my current go to - it’s free, easy and I can access it from any browser on any computer or my phone). I have professional solid modelers but I don’t need any of the fancy stuff they have for my woodworking projects.
Even if I‘ve found some plans I will modify them and draw it out. Usually I either see a picture of something and make my own version or just start drawing out what I want.
I’m an old engineer so the solid modelers don’t require much of a learning curve anymore for me. But if you’re not familiar with them then it can be a bit of a learning curve. But it is definitely a skill worth learning.

[roger wiegand]

I look at lots of pictures of things like what I think I'd like to build, then I do simple pencil and paper 2D drawings. They are not at the level of "plans", more like overall dimensions. I stick with a pretty basic set of joinery; mortise and tenon and dovetails so I don't feel any need to draw out joints, the basic dimensions don't change from project to project. I've never found a "plan" that I didn't think I could improve, or more importantly, that SWMBO didn't actually improve.

I struggled through several projects with Sketchup and have concluded it's just not worth the effort. It's way harder to think in 3d than in 2 and then harder to build from a 3d plan.

[Larry Frank]

I work from sketches to start and then do drawings on paper. Yes, old fashioned but works for me. The drawing also helps me think thru the project. From drawings I developed a materials list. I lay out my stock which is typically 4/4 and mark the parts out on the wood. This all lets me pick the best grain and figure.

I have thought about some type of CAD but the amount of time to learn would not be worth it. Everyone has to find a process that works for them.

[Robert L Stewart]

What Jim Becker said. Good idea to have some basic drawing software, it can be rewarding to draw along with having a print so show
others

[Tom Bain]

There is a learning to SketchUp, or any drawing/CAD program. I guess I look at it as a skill to be acquired and improved (like hand cutting dovetails), and worth the time invested. There are a number of books and online tutorials on sketchup out there which helps shallow the curve a bit.

[Thomas McCurnin]

+1 for what Roger and Larry said.

[Terry Therneau]

I use others plans for ideas, then for the final project I use pencil and paper. I am building for spouse or children, and nearly always there is some constraint on size that needs to be dealt with. A bookcase that needed to fit one corner of a dorm room for instance (and have a secret compartment, per my daughter's request). A set of adirondack chairs that I just made were a partial exception, most were made using Norm's dimensions. (I did use blind dominos on the arms since I didn't want screw heads there, and built some at 7/8 size for the smaller folk.) Often the design ends up as a blend of things.

What I'm still learning to do: use a story stick instead of a tape measure. It really does work, event better than a fancy drawing. (I am very good at mis-reading a tape.)

Where I still have a long way to go: picking the right board for the right spot (with respect to looks).

Terry T.

[Scott Bernstein]

Old fashioned pencil and paper for me... I'll have an independent idea or base a piece off of something I saw online or magazine. I sketch the rough dimensions/proportions first, then I will usually do a more detailed drawing with specific measurements, keeping in mind the size and amount of stock I have for a particular project. From there I will usually make a list of the individual pieces, if it's a complicated or large project, so I can keep track of what everything is for during the milling process. If there is a technique or joinery I have not tried before I will rehearse these in scrap pieces before actually building the real thing. Any new jigs for the table saw or pantorouter will get made at that stage.

[Osvaldo Cristo]

Although I used professionally a lot CAD on 1980s in DEC PDP11 I cannot understand why a number o people looks to think CAD is a "must have" for a hobbyist woodworker.

I have made all my own projects in the last 30 years, some big ones like my own kitchen, library and dorms. Always used a few leaves for scratches and one or two A4 for the "final" projects. Hand drawed. A few details solved "on the fly".

Anyway I think each one have to choose their way. Probably a number o people find a source of pleasure working with a CAD system, so why not to use it? The same applies to purchase projects, some loves to follow a detailed project from outside. If it is your case, go for them and enjoy!

[Christopher Herzog]

Woodarchivist.com has an assortment of plans to get an idea. Most things that come from me tend to be based on a plan and I adjust as I need it to. Sometimes intentionally and other times by the wood or custom seconds chances (aka:mistakes that I have to make work).

My recommendation is to find something along the lines of what you envision. Adjust the size or materials to suit the request.

Good luck, sounds like an adventure!
Chris

[Rob Luter]

I've used CAD since the early 1980's and was a board draftsman prior to that. I usually sketch out plans for what I build using one tool or the other. That said, I'm no whizzbang furniture designer. There's much to be said for working from plans developed by someone who really understands furniture design. It's a great education.

[mreza Salav]

Have built many things but never from somebody else's plan. For simple projects (I consider a chest of drawers simple, or bed, etc) I design it in my head with a few hand-drawing sketches showing overall dimensions. The rest are figured out as I go and adjusted as needed based on the material on hand (a post that is 4" might become 3 7/8" if needed to use the lumber I have, etc). The only time I had a full sketch-up with measurements was building a large scale cabinet project for our house...

[Ole Anderson]

I guess I am the exception. I have used purchased plans (or from Wood Magazine) to build a router table, fold down TS outfeed table, complex computer desk/hutch, a mission style bed, a toy box (2), storage desk/hutch (2), Michigan shaped Adirondack chairs (8), bathroom wall shelf/towel rack (4) and a porch swing for starters. I redid my pool table using ideas in a book adapted to my table. Built in stuff like my kitchen cabs were from scratch.

[dennis thompson]

I purchase most of my plans from Wood magazine, Woodsmith, Toys and Joys, and Forest Street Designs. The last two are for models which I like to make.

[Rod Sheridan]

For most projects I draw out plans using a 2D card program. I print drawings with dimensions for use in my shop. I feel that a plan saves time and reduces scrap.

That's exactly what I do Lee, I can't think of anything I've made from commercial plans.

Having a good set of drawings down to the component level saves me a lot of shop time. I often only have one hour per night so if the drawings are good I can make one component for example, without wasting shop time figuring out what sizes, how to do the layout or many other things.

Regards, Rod.

In one evening I may simply select stock and rough mill, then r-mill a day or two later.

Regards, Rod.

[David Buchhauser]

CAD is nice, but a simple hand created drawing will suffice. I can remember the time when everything was hand drawn - probably about 35 years ago. I did the plans for my original shop in 1983 with the aid of a drafting table. When I added on the machine shop in 2003, everything was CAD with Autocad.
David

[Jim Becker]

As much as folks joke about "designing on the back of a napkin", in all honesty, that actually works for many projects!

[Matthew Curtis]

My plans are sketched out on my bench top next to my math problems.

[Andrew Pitonyak]

I think that your needs will be strongly dictated by your ability to just see it in your head (or similar skills) as well as experience. I don't usually make things to plan, even when I have a plan. But usually I am building something that will fit in a specific spot so I build it to size / fit based on where it will go and what lumber I have on hand (or was able to purchase).

I will often look at what many others have done to get ideas and then combine what I like best.