The other day a friend of mine was asking me about how I go from a 3D model in SketchUp to a plan or shop drawing. He was looking for an efficient way to do the same thing so he can spend more time in his shop. My approach is pretty straightforward and it works for me for any type of project. For this example I am using the model I did for the Walnut Night Stand project from the current Getting Started in Woodworking series. You can download the plan for this project if you wish.

  After I have drawn the entire assembled model I create the layers Ill use for organization. It is important to keep in mind that in SketchUp, the only purpose for layers is controlling the visibility of entites. If you arent familiar with the use of layers in SketchUp, take a look at this blog post. Remember to keep Layer 0 as the active layer. The layers are given names to suit the parts that will be associated with them. In this case its short list: Aprons, Dowels, Hardware, Legs, Shelf and Top.

  After I create the layers, I turn off their visibility by unticking the boxes to the right of their names. Then I make the layer associations. To do this, open the Entity Info box. Select the component(s) whose layer association you want to change and the select the desired layer from the drop down list. If your model is complex, you might want to select the components from the Outliner instead of selecting them in the drawing. This can save you time making sure you have all instances selected without having to chase around the model. Since the layer visibility has been turned off for all but Layer 0, as you make the layer associations, the components will disappear.

  When youve made all of the layer associations, you should have a blank drawing window. If theres anything left, you should investigate. If it is loose geometry, is there geometry missing from a componet? Are they just stray lines that dont belong to any components? Deal with them by either adding them into the proper component or deleting them. It wouldnt hurt to hit Zoom Extents and make sure you dont have stray line segments off in the distance. Delete those as well.
In addition to layers created for the components, you may also want to add layers for dimensions and other text. I add all dimensions and text in LayOut so I dont have those layers in the model. I also add dashed lines in LayOut instead of SketchUp but if I were putting them into the model, I would also create a layer for them.

  Next I turn on all the layers and begin to set up the views I need for the plan. I typically make a three-quarter perspective view along with 2D front and side views. Each of these is set up as a Scene. You can either go to View>Animation>Add Scene or open the Scenes dialog box and add them there. To make the exploded view, I copy the model off to one side and pull the components in that copy apart as needed. I also copy off components for detail views. In the view above I have all of the layers turned on so you can see how the parts are spread out out. I can control what is visible in each scene by ticking or unticking the visibilty boxes for the layers. You can see that the shelf and top overlap each other above the exploded view but since their visibility can be controlled, they dont show as overlapping in the plan. You can also see Ive made rotated copies of the various parts to create two views of the same part in one scene.

  Once the scenes are created it is time for the plans. If you have the pro version of SketchUp, this would be the time you would save the file and then send it to LayOut. If you are using the free version, you would add in the dimensions and text as needed to the various scenes. You might wait until this point to add the layers for the dimensions and text. You might want to make layers to match each scene so that the dimensions for the top can be hidden when you are looking at the shelf and vice versa. You could put the dimensions for the top on the same layer as the top. This might cause you problems if you have some scenes in which you want to see the components but not the dimensions.
Keep in mind that Screen Text remains in a constant position on the screen. If you insert screen text, itll show in the same place in each scene unless you give it a layer association and turn that layer off when you dont want the text.

  If you are using LayOut, youll simply export a PDF file when youre finished. In the free version of SketchUp you can either print each scene directly from SketchUp or export images of each scene.

   If you do the latter, you can import them into a word processor or other application and arrange the images as needed. Then you can make a PDF or just print the file and head off to the shop.

  If you have the need to do much of this sort of thing, youll probably find that LayOut makes it a lot easier to get to the final document. One of the big benefits of using LayOut is that if you find a need to edit the model after youve created the document, the views in LayOut can be updated automatically.

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How To Build A Woodworking Bench

Woodworking Plans

Do-it-Yourself Patterns and Crafts, Woodworking kits, Furniture Plans Plus Much, Much More. Will Show You How to Make 16,000 Different Woodworking Plans. Use The Plans For Fun, Functionality or Profit!

How To Build A Woodworking Bench. Wood is a single of the most stunning, tough and versatile materials that you can work with while on a do it oneself project. The beauty of a cabinet door that is finished in wood cannot be matched by any other material regardless of whether natural or man made. As with any project, you would call for a detailed set of plans whilst you function with wood and wood primarily based components. This is why it is suggested that you use a detailed set of woodworking plans when you plan to extensively use wood based materials to comprehensive the project that you have embarked on.

Now let us examine why woodworking plans are important in any wood primarily based do it oneself project. To start with, these plans assistance you do achoice with waste. If you begin a woodworking project with out a firm plan, the chances are that you would finish up employing extra wood that you initially intended to. Most of the wood primarily based projects would require substantial assemblies and sub assemblies.

When you begin your project, you would be ideally functioning with person members of wood and finishing them individually just before assembling them. If you do not have the suitable woodwork plans, you could finish up with mismatching wood members at the time of assembly. This could result in highly-priced price and time overruns in the project. All these difficulties can be avoided by utilizing a properly laid out set of wood plans.

The other advantage that you could have if you use woodworking plans are that you would be prepared with all the tools and implements that you would call for for completing the wood primarily based project. Typically we uncover that we do not have access to a specific tool in the middle of a woodworking project. This situation could lead to a loss of time and at times you may even have to abandon the project in case a particular tool is not readily available. All these problems can be avoided if you have a detailed program at the onset. How To Build A Woodworking Bench

How To Build A Woodworking Bench Data

Constant Advertising - The romance of woodworking will want to be balanced with the constant advertising and marketing vital to retain the operate coming in. In time, phrase of mouth brings in a lot of operate if you create a good reputation. Until finally then, you will want to get the phrase out routinely. Right after the perform arrives in you have to have fantastic manufacturing systems so you can complete the tasks promptly and continue to preserve the cash flowing. If jobs think about also pretty long and the dollars movement stops, it can turn into tricky to shell out the costs. Talking of money flow, you should really construct and adhere to common assortment methods. This is 1 area where by quite a few woodworkers fail. The payment for the carry out will need to be as significant as the carry out by itself. If you are lax in accumulating, you will run into prospects who fall quick to shell out you and this will lead to really really serious revenue movement troubles.

The Compact business enterprise - Even having said that you like woodworking, you will require to do the property business enterprise if you are to make a dwelling at it. Great results normally needs an in-depth info of both woodworking and enterprise management. If you under no circumstances have every single, I suggest you hesitate to leap in till you have honed your enterprise capabilities.

Seeking back once more I recognize that my lack of information in the course of my startup really a couple of decades back could have been offset with some typical information and a further particular person to advise me.Sadly I had to understand most elements by trial and error.

Just about every and each and every and each week, I take the time to go by means of the comments that my viewers make about my woodworking internet site. 1st of all I want to them for taking the time to comment, I certainly value all of the comments and tips. This previous week there was a comment from a gentleman, who expressed a need to get into woodworking. As a man who is passionate about woodworking, I want to welcome him to the fold. And I want to supply you him all of the recommendations and encouragement probable in his endeavors.How To Build A Woodworking Bench

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How To Woodwork

Woodworking Plans

Do-it-Yourself Patterns and Crafts, Woodworking kits, Furniture Plans Plus Much, Much More. Will Show You How to Make 16,000 Different Woodworking Plans. Use The Plans For Fun, Functionality or Profit!

How To Woodwork. Wood is one of the most beautiful, durable and versatile materials that you can perform with while on a do it your self project. The beauty of a cabinet door that is finished in wood can not be matched by any other material regardless of whether natural or man produced. As with any project, you would need a detailed set of plans although you perform with wood and wood based supplies. This is why it is advisable that you use a detailed set of woodworking plans when you program to extensively use wood primarily based components to comprehensive the project that you have embarked on.

Now let us examine why woodworking plans are important in any wood based do it yourself project. To start with, these plans enable you eradicate waste. If you begin a woodworking project devoid of a firm strategy, the probabilities are that you would end up making use of extra wood that you originally intended to. Most of the wood primarily based projects would call for in depth assemblies and sub assemblies.

When you begin your project, you would be ideally operating with individual members of wood and finishing them individually prior to assembling them. If you do not have the appropriate woodwork plans, you could finish up with mismatching wood members at the time of assembly. This could result in highly-priced cost and time overruns in the project. All these problems can be avoided by using a effectively laid out set of wood plans.

The other advantage that you could have if you use woodworking plans are that you would be ready with all the tools and implements that you would call for for completing the wood primarily based project. Typically we locate that we do not have access to a certain tool in the middle of a woodworking project. This circumstance could lead to a loss of time and from time to time you may even have to abandon the project in case a particular tool is not accessible. All these difficulties can be avoided if you have a detailed plan at the onset. How To Woodwork

How To Woodwork Information

Constant Promoting - The romance of woodworking will need to be balanced with the consistent promoting and advertising important to retain the operate coming in. In time, phrase of mouth brings in a lot of operate if you create a very good recognition. Until finally then, you will need to get the phrase out routinely. Soon after the perform arrives in you have to have great manufacturing systems so you can total the tasks promptly and continue to keep the money flowing. If jobs take into consideration also quite lengthy and the dollars movement stops, it can turn into tricky to shell out the costs. Speaking of income flow, you must develop and adhere to normal assortment tactics. This is 1 region exactly where by quite a few woodworkers fail. The payment for the perform will require to be as important as the execute by itself. If you are lax in accumulating, you will run into prospects who fall quick to shell out you and this will bring about definitely serious earnings movement problems.

The Little business enterprise - Even nevertheless you like woodworking, you will need to do the property company if you are to make a dwelling at it. Superior outcomes usually demands an in-depth information of each woodworking and small business management. If you never have every single, I recommend you hesitate to leap in till you have honed your enterprise capabilities.

Looking back once again I recognize that my lack of expertise in the course of my startup really a handful of decades back could have been offset with some popular information and another individual to advise me.Sadly I had to learn most components by trial and error.

Just about every and every single and every week, I take the time to go through the comments that my viewers make about my woodworking website. 1st of all I want to them for taking the time to comment, I surely worth all of the comments and tips. This earlier week there was a comment from a gentleman, who expressed a need to have to get into woodworking. As a man who is passionate about woodworking, I want to welcome him to the fold. And I want to offer you him all of the suggestions and encouragement probable in his endeavors.How To Woodwork

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Last week, I decided to attempt a quick update to the bedroom pillows with the addition of two shams. My quick attempt ended up taking a few days, but more on that later.

After searching locally for some simple and affordable white shams with no luck, I thought that it would be pretty easy to make standard shams out of king pillowcases.

It took me a little bit of time to figure it out, but once I did, it was really easy!

First I measured my pillow at ~ 16" x 26". The king pillowcase was 20" tall, so that would give me a 2" border which was perfect! I wanted the finished measurement (with a simple 2" border all around) to be 20x30.


From the open end, I ripped the seam out about 14" on both sides. From the closed end, I measured 31" for seam allowance (since I wanted the finished length to be 30").


I then cut the backside where I wanted the opening for the pillow to slip in (about 10" from the open end) I used the fabric I cut off to create the top part for the envelope. At this point, I checked to make sure there was enough overlap (about 3-5") and cut off any excess.


I turned the sham inside out and lay the smaller piece under neath the larger section. (Since it is inside out, make sure that the finished sides will be on the outside of the sham.)

I pinned and sewed the sides that the seam was taken out of, I left the the top flap un sewn and turned it right side out. Now I had the basic shape of a sham with the envelope closer on the backside. Almost done!


To match the other side (which isnt sewn), I closed the open end with heat n bond no sew adhesive. I folded the fabric under so it measured 30", put heat nbond inside and ironed.


Finally, I finished by sewing 2" in on all sides. I measured 2" from my needle and I put a piece of tape to keep my line straight. Once I got close to the edge I held a ruler up to measure 2" and then turned the sham to repeat.

I forgot to take a picture here, but about 30 minutes later it basically ended up looking like this :)

via

I cut 16 - 4" strips and 5 - 6" pieces and 2 - 16" pieces for the long straight. I laid them out, put heat n bond adhesive underneath and ironed.

Mistake # 2  If ironed too long, the heat n bond will show through the grosgrain ribbon. See it below?


err ... I could of covered it with a second accent ribbon on top, but decided that combined with the work involved in doing it on the other sham wasnt really worth it ...


BUT ultimately I decided that the combination of not being able to wash them (because it would fray) and having to cover up the heat n bond wasnt worth it.

This could work, and I may try it again with these modifications:

1. After cutting the ribbon, seal with glue to prevent fraying.

2. Use a thicker cotton ribbon to prevent the heat n bond from showing through or sew the ribbon on. Sewing would be a good option since it is pretty hard to get the heat n bond everywhere.

So instead I ordered these shams from Crate and Barrel, Im still deciding if I want leave them alone or add a little something. Lets face it, I probably will :)

Lesson learned,  always test a small area before doing the whole thing (like the heat n bond on the ribbon) and sometimes the time invested isnt worth it!

I may try it on a smaller throw pillow (now that I know what mistakes to avoid)

Better luck next time! :)

--

Update 2/24/13

See this post for how I successfully added trim!!

Like all kitchens, ours needs more storage space and better organization. Although we have a pantry, it doesnt provide a place for brooms, mops, step stool, etc. So we need a broom closet too. This eventuality has been planned for in our remodeling of our kitchen as seen in this drawing of the current status of the neat area I am going to attack.

After fourteen ands a half years, we decided to hang new curtains in the bedroom and great room. As with most everything, the commercially available curtain rod hangers left a lot to be desired and we could not find anything that we really liked. So I decided to make simple brackets out of oak to go along with the oak that Im using to replace the window casings. They were to be 3/4" thick, 3.5" high and 4" long with a 1.372" slot for the store bought, stained, and varnished curtain rod. I cut the blanks and rounded over the exposed edges and corners.

With the drill press, I then drilled a 1.375" hole .25" deep with the center centered vertically and set back from the end by 1".

I then needed to come up with a way to create the slot leading to the hole.

I realized that the M&T jig that I used previously to drill holes for the retrofit shelf standards, would be perfect to consistently hold the work pieces for routing. To hold the work piece at the proper angle to rout the slot, I cut two 25 degree wedges from some .5" plywood. I then cut the large ends off the triangles to use to create a right angle to hold the work piece that would be then be held in place by a push clamp pushing at an angle against a third side.

It took just a few minutes to cut the pieces and tack them down with 23 guage pins (a lot less time than it is taking to write this). The jig was clamped to the movable platform.

The work piece is held down by raising the platform until the work piece is against the bottom of the top of the jig. And finally, here is the routing process.



The whole process took about a tenth of the time it has taken for me to prepare this posting. I think it was a lot faster and easier than making a template (something I hate to do), and since the plywood of the jig is just tacked down, it can be taken apart to be used in another jig, or if I were to be making lots of these, I could glue the jig together and keep it forever.

Woodworking in America is almost upon us (have you remembered to book your flight and hotel yet?). In there continues evangelism of the event, the editorial staff have crafted this wonderful spoof video. It was first brought to my attention with this tweet.

Apologies. http://t.co/Xg6yfVEzFY
— Popular Woodworking (@pweditors) September 13, 2013

Not only is it amusing, its also a great woodworking event placement test. If you watch ans say "Huh?". Then youre safe not attending.

If you watch and break out into laughter so loud others in the room look at you and then after youve explained whats so funny they say "Huh?", then you need to go to Woodworking in America.


By the way, +Charles Bender had me in stitches.

Dont forget about the +Modern Woodworkers Association Podcast. We talk woodworking with Guests from around the world of woodworking every other week. Subscribe to the RSS feed or iTunes today.

When time becomes a commodity that is easy to come by, I hope to have everything I will ever need to while away the hours making little pieces of wood out of big ones. Hopefully, some of those little pieces will be usable as veneer.

There was a time when I thought only cheap furniture was made using veneer. Amazing what you learn when you read a book.

• There is a half inch of space all around the inner pot which would be perfect for holding heated water.
• There is the hole in the top of the inner pot aligned with that space that would be perfect for letting off steam.
• There is a handle attached to the inner pot which would make removing it easy to top-up the water bath when it runs dry and through its use, would make it unnecessary for the user to touch the heated base.
• Brass is the third most conductive metal for heat available.

• If it isnt a glue pot, it sure as hell is one now!