Replies

1. 
   Germey | Aug 17, 2006 08:34pm | #1

   This poll really kind of needs a "combination / all of the above" option.

1. 
   Rennie | Aug 17, 2006 09:54pm | #2

   Germey,

   I agree! Glad someone brought that up. Looking back, I'd have to answer at least three categories in the affirmative.Regard it as just as desirable to build a chicken house as to build a cathedral. Frank Lloyd Wright

1. 
   Dustmaker1 | Aug 19, 2006 05:01pm | #3

   When I build furniture pieces, I generally make my own design and drawings. I do however check some of the published magazine designs and incorporate whatever is useful. The main reason that I use my own drawings is so that I will be able to make the piece within the limitations of my existing equipment and experience. It also gives me the opportunity to design in my own style. ------J.  Barcelo

2. 
   Ricks503 | Aug 22, 2006 10:42pm | #9

   I fall into the Other catagory.  I may find plans in a book or OTHER magazine and use them, or I make take a plan and then modify it to suit my space, need or furniture style.  I also make it up as I go sometimes and will design my own sometimes ( sometimes on computer and sometimes on paper )1 - measure the board twice, 2 - cut it once, 3 - measure the space where it is supposed to go        4 - get a new board and go back to step 1

3. 
   jmorr87 | Sep 04, 2006 08:06pm | #13

   Exactly - I anwered "i design as I go" but I am influenced bny published plans and pictures toward the final design.

   John

2. 
   alanplanesaw | Aug 19, 2006 09:10pm | #4

   I have to agree with the others.  The "poll" falls victim to the tyranny of the "or."

   Either this one OR that one.  Limited choices.  That's typical when you want to have the answers in a this or that form, but that is not necessarily accurate or get at what you really are trying to find out -- if you really do want to know someone else's opinion.

   One project I may use a plan, the next is my own.  Right now I am building another cradle based on a plan my daughter-in-law picked out.  But, I modifed it from permanently assembled to connector-bolt assembled.  So, including a couple of non-critical changes, it is not a plan, not my plan, but a combination.

   Alan - planesaw

1. 
   MRGreer | Aug 21, 2006 02:21am | #5

   I made a crib for my Son's first child and used a plan because of the concern for safety.  Then my Daughter wanted me to make a crib for her first child but didn't want it to look the same as the firs one I built.  The result was that using the first plan I made my own plan, leaving some things the same and greatly modifying others.  That's why I clicked the "Other" category.  Much of the furniture I build is made by combining plans from different sources or at least design clues from a number of sources and then make a unique piece from my own quasi plan.

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Aug 21, 2006 03:03am | #6

   Our kids must be twins.  Except it was my daughter and son-in-law who requested the first cradle.  She took one plan and said this is "basically" it.  Then she showed me two or three other cradles and said but, I want you to do this from this one, that from that one, etc.    Got it done the way she wanted it.

   Then a year plus later my son and daughter-in-law said we need one.  I thought, okay no problem.  I have the jigs made, the patterns, etc., from the first one.

   But, oh no.  They had to have a dramatically different cradle.  They showed me a photograph they wanted.  Got the plan, but then made changes.  This plan had the cradle screwed together rather permanently.  I changed it to connector bolts, like I did the first one, so they can take it apart until they need it or it gets passed on.

   Alan - planesaw

3. 
   jazzdogg | Aug 21, 2006 06:32pm | #7

   I will very often start with a list of constraints and requirements, and one or more photographs as my inspiration, from which I will develop my own plans. Not surprisingly, while my plans may reflect the "gesture" of the original piece, or some detail that I'd like to incorporate, I often change a number of things during the design and construction processes.

   One of the things I learned the hard way is to forego detailed plans unless there's a genuine need for them. For example, if I'm building a case-piece, I'll build the carcase according to the plans, but forego plans foe items like drawers, which I simply make to fit their openings; I see little reason to complete drawer drawings unless there's something unusual about them. The most important element of my designs are usually the overall dimensions and proportions, the gesture and materials, and any limitations that must be taken into account, such as interior dimensions to accommodate the storage of specific items; the rest is far less important and fluid.

   I keep meaning to spend several hours learning the Turbo CAD I bought a few years back. But, until I have a project that will allow me the grace of abundant time, using a drafting table, paper, and pencil remain significantly faster.

   I keep waiting for someone to develop a scalable furniture design program that is as easy to learn and use as 3D Home Architect, but no joy so far.

    

    

   -Jazzdogg-

   "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie

4. 
   user-155270 | Aug 22, 2006 06:05pm | #8

   I've been trained as a woodworking technician in Quebec and I've learned so much about computer drawing that I use paper and pencil only for guidelines of the design. Working with Autocad simplifies all the techical conception of my furniture. My clients always like to see my 3D renderings for their future project. But I must admit that I also end up designing as I go for personnal projects since I have to stick with the plans when I work for a client.

5. 
   rickjoyce | Aug 25, 2006 06:12pm | #10

   Yes! I take a little bit of this, a little bit of that..... concur, at least three of the items on the poll I use...never stay locked in to one.

6. 
   mudman | Aug 26, 2006 06:37am | #11

   I am learning CAD software so this is likely to change soon.

   Pardon my spelling,

   Mike

   Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.

7. 
   dustybud | Aug 29, 2006 11:16pm | #12

   Most of what I build is size-critical and requires all of the measurements to suit the overall size.  For some reason, it's more painful for me to alter an existing plan to arrive at what I need.

   In addition, I find that I spend an inordinate amount of time re-working dimensions, only to find that the plan's author or the type setter made a mistake. Witness the increasing appearance of dimension 'corrections' in all of the magazines.