you can’t pick up a wood working magazine that does not have several project plans in it. My immediate thoughts go to the reaction of a newbe when he or she feels so over-whelmed because they have no idea what the author is talking about. It might as well be in Latin. Has anyone offered an opportunity for people who would like to learn to read plans and/or interpret same? It would start very simple probably go one step further. By then they should be on their own . I believe that it would be important that they complete the project. If you have–how did it work ?
making sawdust
Replies
Since I don't know anything about your experience & training, it is hard to give any advice on reading "plans" in WW mags. However, a course in drafting, not CAD/CAM, at a local trade school might get you off the ground. That is all you can expect, however. The way projects are laid out in magazines is far more difficult for me to use than 3 views with a few details. It is as if the author feels he must hold your hand for every step of the process. That may be what many people need & want. I have an irresistible urge to make a few modifications as I go or else design the whole thing myself. Frequently, I don't have the tool for a particular process as specified or I have a tool which does the job more easily. Anyway, try the course. It should help.
Sorry to answer so late. I just now read your post
Cadiddlehopper
thanks for the comeback- this is not for me- I am like you-- in fact many times all I get to go on is a picture or a sketch on a napkin-- because I can not seem to raise any sincere interest in furniture making in our woodworking club,I was thinking that what might encourage potential makers would be to be able to understand what a simple plan was trying to tell them. Once they got an idea about where to start then they would be more likely to strike off on their own - I agree with you -- if you put 10 woodworkers in a shop and told them to make a bookcase -you would get 10 different kinds of bookcases-- your idea about the trade school gives me an idea-- if I can find a trade school teacher with that experience --bring him or her in to a meeting and have them put on a program and then the ones who want or need more instruction --invite them to my shop for a one on one session-- I believe it would work or at least it's worth talking more about thanksmaking sawdust
Nice to know that I submitted one good idea! Thanxx!!Cadiddlehopper
Vern,
You wrote, "I can not seem to raise any sincere interest in furniture making in our woodworking club". This makes me wonder what kind of wood things are being made?
The greatest joy I personally get from woodworking is the problem-solving aspect, which is about the initial design, its amendment and the methods of work. Perhaps if you were to propose to the woodworkers a piece of furniture disguised as a set of problems, their interest might be piqued?
Again personally, I find I detest a plan and much prefer the napkin followed by an evolving design-via-making-it approach (within a general envelope of, "It's one of these kinds of things"). Although this tends to introduce more problems, that's what I like. And it gives you a feeling of ownership, which using someone else's plan would somehow undermine.
One suspects most humans cannot resist the problem-solving thing and the pride in successfully overcoming the difficulties, as evidenced by the handsome bookcase or chair produced.
Lataxe
HELLO lATAXE going by the show and tell at our meetings --toys,turning and scroll -in that order- and I have to remind myself that 85 % of the membership is made up of retired people and their shop consists of a utility room or the car port, so I ask myself, should I branch out and start a group up who are only interested in making furniture? Have you ever heard of this happening ? and what were the results ? You are right about the satisfaction from solving design problems --it's a deep high- I made a 16 drawer knife and pistol cabinet with a secret lock --it took best of show at our state fair and I like doing work like Wendel Castle does-- it's been delightful talking to someone across the pond and I appreciate your ideas - I can't come down too hard on them for making toys --they are donated to homes and charity groups at Christmas for needy children-- I have even made some -- we end up with nearly 2000 to give away-- there are 100 members in the clubmaking sawdust
I've read plans and directions mostly to get others' ideas into my head. I don't want to exactly copy their work, or I'd just give them money and ask 'em to build it. I'm only building for my family, and I want me to be in it.My goal is for my work to outlast me. Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.
John,
You said it exactly and with far fewer words than I ever can manage. :-)
Whilst I'm very, very grateful to the thousands of cabinetmakers that have gone before us, with the huge knowledge encompassed in the traditions they've created, I always feel that we should enhance those traditions a bit if we can, even if the enhancements are only visible to us and those we make for. Like you, I absorb existing plans but then they get a bit of a churning in the old grey matter before "my" design emerges.
It's a great feeling to deliver a nicely-made piece that's both unique but also a recognisable (and hopefully well-executed) version of this or that style. People like the familair, especially in a new guise.
Whilst I admire the ingenuity, imagination and art of modern cabinet making, I do feel that it's a brave soul that tries to depart entirely from existing traditions, to make something mostly novel. Some of these attempts may come off and stand the test of time, perhaps forming a new tradition. Often the modern thing looks more like a sculpture than an item of household utility. When form ceases to follow function, some strange beasts emerge.
It is the adventure of learning and overcoming one's own ineptitude or ignorance, though, that I like best. In some ways, I can't wait to get a finished piece out of the shed, so I can start the next one. And I never understand furniture makers who want to spend most of their career perfecting the same type of object or style.
I never achieve perfection in the furniture; but emotionally I couldn't feel better.
Lataxe
Edited 3/28/2006 11:37 am ET by Lataxe
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