to use plans or not to use plans, that is the question

[HowardH]

Was curious to know how many of us use plans or do things on the fly with our projects. Personally, I like using plans as more often than not as a designer would think of things that I might not have until it was too late, thus saving me time and money in wasted materials. Simple projects I'll build without a plan but for more complex things, I try to find a plan whenever possible. For example, a customer wants me to build an outdoor couch frame she saw at Pottery Barn. Of course, there aren't plans available so all I have is pictures to go by and there are some details that aren't photographed so I would be guessing at what they did. They do list most of the critical dimensions so that will help. I went to a couple of stores but no one has their outdoor furniture on display during the Winter. I'm planning on building a test using 5/4 treated pine decking to see if I can figure it out and then I'll give it away to someone who wants to get some cushions and use it. Are you a planner or a seat of your pants kinda builder? 

 

[Packard]

I make dimensioned sketches of the item I am making.  And I work out in my head how it is to be constructed. 

But then everything is done on the fly.  I transfer dimensions more often than I measure them. 

I’m lucky in that I am able to imagine the complete assembly process in my head.  I have never worked from plans. 

But most of what I make are cabinets or cabinet construction masquerading as furniture.  So nothing too exotic. 

If I came across plans that were perfect for what I wanted to produce, I would have no problem using them.

I do design everything around my shop’s capabilities.  So some types of joinery are outside the scope of my capabilities.

 

[jeffinsgf]

... I'm planning on building a test using 5/4 treated pine decking to see if I can figure it out and then I'll give it away to someone who wants to get some cushions and use it. Are you a planner or a seat of your pants kinda builder?

In your neck of the woods, Cypress should be just about the same price as treated pine, or just a little more. Much nicer to work with and your prototype will end up being much more desirable.

 

[HowardH]

... I'm planning on building a test using 5/4 treated pine decking to see if I can figure it out and then I'll give it away to someone who wants to get some cushions and use it. Are you a planner or a seat of your pants kinda builder?

In your neck of the woods, Cypress should be just about the same price as treated pine, or just a little more. Much nicer to work with and your prototype will end up being much more desirable.

Excellent idea!  I'll see I can find any.

 

[jeffinsgf]

I haven't built to plans in years. Used to do it a lot. Now I keep a legal pad in the shop and do a lot of calculation and doodling while I'm working. Definitely seat of my pants designer. I would love to lay it out in Sketch-Up or Fusion 360, but haven't had the patience to learn either. CAD would probably save me a generation on everything I build. I always prototype first in less expensive material, then learn from my mistakes before I start cutting the good stuff.

 

[HowardH]

that's exactly what I'm doing.  BTW, I did a quick search and cypress is over $6 a linear foot for a 5/4 board.  Yikes! 

 

[jeffinsgf]

that's exactly what I'm doing.  BTW, I did a quick search and cypress is over $6 a linear foot for a 5/4 board.  Yikes!

Seems high. What type of supplier? The stuff grows on trees down there.  [big grin]

Might have to check some of the small time backyard sawmills to find it at the right price.

 

[ChuckM]

snip. Are you a planner or a seat of your pants kinda builder?

Both, either of them or none, depending on what the project is. In other words, my skills are fluid. If you have photos and some critical dimensions, that should be enough because you aren't making an exact duplicate of the item. I built these stools, for example, based on a video someone shot for me:

[attachimg=1]

For critical components or projects, I tend to make an actual or scaled mock-up (using dirt cheap ply, scrap or construction lumber) to test my understanding or techniques.

 

[cider]

I usually come up with a rough sketch, and then start making sawdust.  I make up a lot of things as I go along, and change my mind frequently.  I'm only making things for myself, though.

 

[luvmytoolz]

Plans? What are these plans you speak of?

 

[rmwarren]

Plans? What are these plans you speak of?

Yea, next thing you'll start reading the directions.  [dead horse]

Slippery slope to be avoided at all costs.

RMW

 

[PaulMarcel]

Plans? What are these plans you speak of?

I think he meant planes. Honest typo. Otherwise, it makes little sense  [blink]

Joking aside, usually I sketch up what I think I want (because this will change a lot as I go  [crying]) with key dimensions. Once it is in progress, it's all relative measuring. I do tend to change things often along the way, and that isn't really a great thing. Annoying for the build and greatly slowing it down, but better because "oh, that would be a fantastic addition I didn't think of until I cut that board too short to use for the change..."

 

[jeffinsgf]

"oh, that would be a fantastic addition I didn't think of until I cut that board too short to use for the change..."

That has never happened to me. Ever.

 

[squall_line]

Am I the only Type A around here?  I've seen some of your shops, so I know I'm not...

But I'll break the ice for the planners and hope more speak up.

I'm a "paralysis by analysis" kind of guy, unfortunately.  Some stuff I'll make seat-of-my-pants, like a small network equipment cabinet for under the stairs out of scrap, or a... hmm... I haven't built much else seat-of-the-pants, I guess... 

Maybe the reclaimed bookshelf I cobbled together?  That was made with the constraints of using the existing shelves from one side of the office and the uprights and standards from the other side of the office from which I reclaimed them.  Looking back, I would have trimmed all of the shelves to the exact same length (it was a built-in, fully nailed together) and built it slightly narrower, and made sure the backs were square after I brought them home from the store (who knew?), etc.

But the TV/entertainment stand I'm planning for the basement has been sketched on literally a napkin, then re-sketched on paper with the primary dimensions to scale, and now I'm building it parametrically in Fusion so that I can mess with some of the interior dimensions before committing to a final design.

I don't NEED to do it this way, I suppose, but I've got a list of 13 or 14 pieces of electronic equipment (mostly game consoles) to stuff into the thing and I want to make sure everything will fit in addition to making sure the proportions look right. 

I think for me the proportions are the biggest concern when I design something, especially when I try to take an idea from concept to reality.  I learned that lesson in my high school drafting class when I designed a large gathering hall with a fireplace/hearth combo that looked to be the right proportion in the initial sketch but worked out to be something on the order of a 26 foot wide fire box when dimensions were put to it.

 

[PaulMarcel]

"oh, that would be a fantastic addition I didn't think of until I cut that board too short to use for the change..."

That has never happened to me. Ever.

Good company haha!

To [member=75217]squall_line[/member] I also have paralysis... many times I start a project with the minimum of dimensions then set it aside... not because I know what I want to change but because I subconsciously know there's a change pending... takes a bit before it materializes usually at an awkward time but okay. So then I change it but usually after testing it out since at that point I have the outer cabinet built so I can put it in place to see how the change would fit in.

I think people like to call that "organic design" like "organic" makes it more real much like "free-range" or "non-GMO" design... it's just try-before-you-buy.

 

[woodferret]

Plan.  BOM is important to me.  That said, I've been known to modify/redo plans midstream more times than Darth Vader.

 

[Packard]

The problem with most plans is that they are not made with my equipment in mind.

I have a dovetail jig, but it only can handle pieces about 32” long.

I have a mortise machine, but it can only handle pieces about 3 feet long.

I have pocket hole equipment, but I prefer dowels.

Every shop has different capabilities.  I design around the capabilities my shop has. 

For example, I don’t have a jointer.  So I use a lot of plywood. 

I like using through dowels when they don’t show.  They are fast and very strong. 

Most plans have some aspect of their design that doesn’t mesh well with my equipment or skills.

 

[cider]

The problem with most plans is that they are not made with my equipment in mind.

IMO, this is ideal, at least in the design phase.  In fact, I have to push myself to design without trying to fit my tools or things I know how to easily do, etc.

And if nothing else, it's a great excuse to buy a new tool [big grin]

 

[Furu]

As a hobbyist I’ve recently come to the conclusion that creating plans or at least most measurements worked out beforehand, gives me a much greater joy when building. I believe it creates confidence and that helps both in the end result and fun along the build phase.