Doing something new to you

[John Beauchamp]

    When you are trying something you've never done before, do you just jump right in to the job or work out the details and procedures on scraps before going ahead.  I have done both and usually regret not taking the time to prove out where I'm going. The more expensive the more regret. 

 

[Dogberryjr]

While I know that planned projects will usually turn out better, there's a certain satisfaction to flying by the seat of your pants and solving problems as they arise.

 

[wow]

I do or have done both. I tend to over-think things sometimes, and at other times I just jump in with both feet and start figuring it out on the fly.

 

[teocaf]

    When you are trying something you've never done before, do you just jump right in to the job or work out the details and procedures on scraps before going ahead.  I have done both and usually regret not taking the time to prove out where I'm going. The more expensive the more regret.

are you talking about marriage, having kids, or just plain ol' woodworking?

 

[peter halle]

It depends on the size of the project and the cost of materials.  More expensive invites more planning and caution on my end.  Personal projects always are delayed in the start date but then are seat of pants to get them done.

Peter

 

[AlexThePalex]

I always work it out in my head first.

If it's totally new to me I have to have the procedure from step A to step Z all there, in my head or on paper. I check websites to see how others do it, or I ask on a forum like this, or I go to stores and talk with tradesmen to ask their advice. 

If I do the job for myself I tend to be more happy-go-lucky and try things out, knowing I can redo it again if it's not good. But if I do the job for somebody else, I prefer not to leave anything to chance.

 

[charley1968]

As Peter says: Depending on the material cost. But i do sometimes build something just to get acquainted with the tool, for example a climbing tree for our cats.
I most often draw a little plan and i do cut lists.

 

[sancho57]

I'll think about it, do some mock ups practice cuts or whatever until I think I got it down, then build the project

 

[Gary in Texas]

John,

You've raised a few good questions in this section of the forum.

If my own design, the more complicated it is, the more likely I will do a mock up from a less expensive wood.  Speaking of intricate projects here (furniture type) where working out the details with the mock up helps eliminate design errors.

Gary

 

[SittingElf]

This is the exact reason my scrap pile is so big!  If it's new to me, I fiddle with waste wood before using the exotics.

Cheers,

Frank

 

[wow]

I should also mention that since I've finally figured out SketchUp, I tend to model what I'm doing there first. I can make my mistakes on the screen - which are a LOT easier to fix - and then build it like I designed it.

I find my scrap pile to be a lot smaller now...

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

There are no manuals for the things I work on.

I just get right to it, it will all sort itself out.

 

[Frank Pellow]

Almost always, I first make a prototype.  I do spend a little time planning but I learn by doing.  Sometimes, I need to make several prototypes before getting things right.  Sometimes the prototype turns out to be the finished product.