Saturday, November 29, 2008

Woodworking Guide - Why You Should Use Woodworking Plans

By Leslie Allan

If you talk to woodworkers they each have their personal opinions on what is the proper way to do things. Like anything else, you can go and ask one question and get several contrasting answers. One of the main questions a new woodworker will ask is ,which is better: following plans or working from scratch? Here are some of the arguments raised for both parts of this inquiry.

To backup the debate that is always better to use woodworking plans, here are the components this is likely based on.

- For the novice it is truly the only way. The patterns carry everything they want to know to get started.

- Beginners have a tough time understanding how they want the accomplished project to look.

They have a sound idea of what they wish ,but they arent able to plan it out without some guidance.

- Plans save time due to the fact that there is not as much time expended on revising the project. Its all there in the plan, you simply follow the step by step instructions.

-They can be cost savers. One, by the way they outline exactly what materials you are going to require. Then you dont consume money on buying materials you dont need. Secondly you will cut waste due to the fact that youre not as likely to mess up on your cuts and things like that.

That handles the defending arguments for why woodworking plans are better, now lets look at the arguments of why working from scratch is better instead.

- Frequently if you have a unique item in mind that you would wish to form, then you may not be able to acquire the plan for it. Often when individuals are building something they want it to be unusual. You wont get that when you are using plans.

- Just because its a woodworking plan, doesnt mean that it will be understandable or easy to follow. Sometimes the plans can get quite intricate. Also you may not be educated with some of the terminology that is used in the project.

- What country the projects were designed in could be an issue as well. For instance measures and material could be diverse.

- If you are an experienced craftsman or you are past the point of being a novice then you will see that the plans will being to get boring. You may also begin to lose focus in the project is it is too simple for you.

- One of the worst matters that can happen is they may not be correct. For the novice this could be disheartening. Mostly as you wont have the experience perhaps to prevent the error before you make it, or be able to adjust it once you have.

- You are able to acquire planning skills if you do your own wood work plans. In the start there will be a bit of trial and error. Once you have reached this stage you are not likely to be a novice so you will have a complete idea as to what your own plan needs.

- Ultimately, perhaps the most central factor is that your own design is more individualized. Once its completed you will have the gratification of knowing it is completely your work from start to end. Furthermore, it is one of a kind, and it is not found anyplace else in the world! - 16035

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