Making Wood Working Plans Work for You

If you are like me I can't draw a bucket of water. But in order to be a good woodworker you should be able to draw and read plans correctly. This will give you time to actually think about what you are wanting to build. It will save you a lot of time and material to be able to read plans and know what is required in a project.

I know if you are like me you want to get in there and start cutting wood. I love the smell of freshly cut wood. Then to start putting the project together. But if you do then you will make mistakes that can end up costing time and money.

So let's take it one step at a time, and learn to do it right.
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First of all if you can't draw very well, then not to worry. There are a gazillion different plans out there from simple book shelves, to building tool sheds, massive tree houses, and everything in between. Most of these plans cost very little to obtain online. There are a lot of plans that are free also. Depending on what type of plans that you are looking for, it might be better to do a little searching online to see if there are any out there.

There are software programs out there where you can build the project on a computer before you invest money for the materials. Even some of these programs are free. Such as Google Sketchup. It is very versatile and easy to learn. You can use it to build the project and can even put the measurements into the drawing so that you can have your own plans.

If you don't want to go through all that, most all the plans will come with cut lists, and list of materials, and give step by step instructions on how to build the project.

You can even buy the projects in kits. This is where they will send you everything that you need for the project. All you furnish is the tools to build it and the time. But these kits can cost you almost as much as the projects themselves by the time that you pay for shipping and handling. But most usually they are still cheaper than specialty tools that you might need to purchase to complete the same project yourself.

These projects can increase the value of your home, like adding a extra room to your house. By building a tool shed, patio furniture. A gazebo, patio, porch, deck, and many more projects. You can build them for between a third to half price as to buy them. New cabinets in the kitchen. A bathroom makeover is a good way to increase the price of the home. Greenhouses is another project that people are getting into. Build a bar-b-que station for your grill and prep table, drawers for utensils.

Plans will make it possible for an someone with intermediate skills to build complicated projects. Because they take all the guess work out of designing the project. This doesn't detract from the builder at all. Because someone might be able to design projects but be able to build the projects.

If you are new to woodworking, then I would suggest that you start with a simple project. This will give you experience working from plans. Once you have this one built then go to something a little more complicated. This way you can work yourself up to the more elaborate projects. The more complicated the design the more the plans are going to cost. After you have some experience in building these projects you will be able to determine what it takes to go after the big projects. Also remember that the more complicated the plans the more specialty tools you are going to need.

The specialty tools will be an added cost that will have to be factored into the project. For woodworkers just starting out this can be a major investment. Not only do they have to learn about the more complicated plans, but they also have to learn how to use these specialty tools correctly and safely. This can be a large learning curve for some woodworkers.

There is a lot of difference from setting up a 45* degree miter cut, and a 33* compound miter cut. The more complicated the plans usually the more complicated the cuts. The woodworker is going to have to know these different cuts to get the project to look like the design.

Not only working from plans, after awhile you will probably be able to improve on designs of projects. Find ways to do the same things in the project a different way to save time and maybe material. These plans will only improve your woodworking skills.

Besides building some project for yourself or a loved one will mean a lot more than just going and buy the piece from a store. Because it tells them that you were willing to put forth the effort to build it.

No matter what you want to build like I said. If it is a birdhouse, bookshelves, furniture, tables, to a log cabin. There are plans on the internet, some for free and the more complicated plans will increase the cost of the plans. But this cost is usually be minimal compared to having someone design a particular project for you to build.

Always remember to put safety before any project. If you don't have the right tools for the job then you should put the project on hold before trying to complete it. No project is worth losing eyesight, hearing, or limbs.

Jesse Auburg  Online Marketing  Entrepreneur
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