This is my first foray onto the Fine Woodworking BB.
I am attempting to design /build my first Craftsman /Prairie-Style piece… an oak headboard, for my wife’s upcoming birthday (end of June)
I know basicly WHAT I want to build, but need some quarterbacking in the process of “getting it on paper”.
I’ve attached a couple of photos, but as a former draughtsman ( 30 years ago) I suspect the design will flow after I actually START.
One proviso, here. I do not want to spend thousands on SolidWorks or AutoDesk programs!
Replies
Welcome.
Are those headboards your work?
Are you looking for a computer program to help you draw out what you want to build? You asked no questions so it is hard to tell.
If that is what you are after, perhaps you should take a look at SketchUp. It is available for free (make sure you download the free version and not the pro version.) and will do what you need. If you want examples of what sketchUp can do, take a look at the Design.Click. Build. blog here on the Fine Woodworking site.
Dave
Hi, Dave.No, the pieces are ones I've used as "creative fodder", for my eventual end result.What i'd LIKE to do is find a way to draw my own plans up... This Google program looks interesting. how easy is it to use?
It's very easy to use once you learn a bit about it. Download the program and read through the blog. Especially read the archive posts regarding how to set it up for drawing woodworking-related models. Make components as you go and you'll be fine.
Download from here: http://sketchup.google.com/download/ Take the one on the left.
Once you get going, let me know if you have specific questions and I'll help you out.
Thank you. I'm just at the "playing" stage... I used to SELL SolidWorks, back in another Lifetime, to I "get" the concept...It's just getting comfy with the specific tools, etc. All I have, as yet, is one of the interior spindles... lawl! I guess that like any other solid modeller... you build the components, and assemble? I have the OVERALL in my head, so splitting it into components will be the initial challenge.
Have fun, then.
Yes, you make components and put them together. The easiest way to work is to draw the parts in the position they'll be when the assembly is complete.
FWIW SkewtchUp is not a solid modeller.
Well, Dave...I have a design. LOTS of twists & turns, but we persevered, and now have a rough idea how to proceed. The spindles will be approx. 1" square, as shown by the Left side on the sketch. I still need to fine-tune this file, as it is just a "glued-together" design, currently, with no joinery (tenons, etc.), trim, or bolt-holes included.I still have to figure out how to make this a true assembly of components, and how to create an exploded view, etc.Thanks for the encouragement.
Not bad for a first go, there. Take a look at the attached SKP file for some ideas. The JPG is a screen grab of the cutlist for the project.
Thanks, Dave!I have absolutely NO idea how to retrieve the cut list yet... BUT, I suspect that I will by this afternoon!
You're welcome.
If you need a hand figuring out that cut list, let me know.
Well, here's the FINAL iteration, based upon your "cleaned up" assembly.You'll note that I've added some decorative "end-caps" to the top rail and post intersections, and have trimmed the "feet" of the posts as Mr. Stickley might have, to "lighten" the look, a bit. I have most of the wood purchased already, even a small block of African Blackwood, for making some contrasting tenon pegs. I will post photos of the completed project, if any are interested.
Caution on the blackwood. I cut a little block the other day - bandsawed about 6 inches. Sneezing fit for 15 minutes and a bloody nose. Whodathunkit? Of course, a mask never crossed my mind for such a small thing.
YMMV
Real trucks dont have sparkplugs
Most pro woodworkers do what is called a full scale layout for projects. Many times we just use a stick, something like a 1x3 in an appropriate length. On one side it may be marked for the width, the opposite for the height, one edge for the top, one for the bottom. We mark out the actual size of the parts on the stick.
As an example, you will have a box spring and a mattress on a bed and you will want them to be a certain height off the floor. These will also fit in between the bed rails. Let's say you want your posts to be four inches square. On one end of the layout stick you square two lines four inches apart. If you want 7/8" bed rails to intersect the posts in the center, you mark the center, in between the post width marks, and draw two lines 7/8" apart. Now you measure from the inside of that bed rail, the width of the mattress, plus enough for a reasonable fit. Mark the 7/8" and the 4" for the opposite post. Now you know the distance between the posts. Your head and foot board rails will fit between the posts and you know the length. If you will mortice these rails into the posts 2" you draw lines designating that intersection. Now you know the length of the headboard rails to the shoulders of the tenon and the over all length including the tenons. You repeat this process for whatever is involved in the piece you are building in each dimension, height, width, length, depth.
You may want to cross hatch or mark things like a tenon so you can easily see the difference between the assortment of lines you are making on the layout stick. In the actual course of making the various parts, you can match them up to the layout stick as a check. All you are doing is drafting the piece in full size. On some more complicated pieces, I'll cover a sheet of plywood with paper and draw all the details I need, full size.
Most of the time you don't need a fully drawn face view but it may be handy when first starting out. You are not scaling down, if a part is 3/4" thick, you draw it 3/4" thick. Once you have done a couple of projects a layout stick is all you will need with marks designating the four dimensions. It's a lot easier to show than write about.
I have a picture of a recent project but it's not very good. I used an 8" piece of plywood to do the layout. I was concerned with columns fitting on a base. After the pencil layout, I constructed a mock up so I could see how the moldings would work. I think you can see the pencil layout on the plywood. I seldom bother drawing full plans since it's redundant when using layout sticks. I may do a face view if I have to show something to a customer but for building, they aren't necessary. Hope this makes sense. I've included another full scale face layout for an arch I had to build, essentially drafting to full size.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
I'm sorry, hammer...I've heard of the stick & layout method. interesting concept, and thanks for elucidating a bit.
I've attached a couple of photos, but as a former draughtsman ( 30 years ago) I suspect the design will flow after I actually START.
draughtsman ! I love me beer also!
You sound like sort of how I do things.. I'd say forget any expensive software. IF you like working with YOUR thoughts and can do 'the design will flow after I actually START'.. That is me!
Get some card board sheets from the local movers or other places 4x4 as I recall and a sharp knife to cut it out!
Hell, you can scale it from the pictures! End of June does not give ya' much time for all them mortices! Should have started in January! A June baby here myself! Your wife MUST be special bein' born in June!
EDIT: I forgot.. You do not even have to cut anything! Just draw to scale you want.. I forgot you may need some tape to stick the sheets together...
Edited 5/18/2008 6:29 am by WillGeorge
There is also a regular cad program(2d) that I have used occassionally for free. It is at http://www.a9tech.com
I'd say you already made it from the pictures you posted! Nice work!
No. Those were "idea" pictures, as stated previously.The actual piece is in progress now. I will post photos as it comes together.
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled