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Now that is a scary thought.
So you want to build something and don’t really have a starting point, been there , done that.
Got it , Need it , Want it.
Need it or Want it will be your motivation. Between you and your better half , she has decided what you would like to build , after all you just got a jigsaw or a scrollsaw for Christmas did’nt you.
This is also a good chance to pick up those oddball tools you have been wanting , New table saw , Router , Planer maybe even a Lathe cause they are a “ gotta have “ to do the job right. Lots of Luck !
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Options : Library (not) , Subscribe to a magazine , wait 2 months for first issue and then maybe in the next 25 issues you might find a writeup or a pix of furniture you are looking for , or you could head for the particle board botique in the local mall armed with a tape rule , pencil and paper looking for something that looks like you are supposed to build. This can get awkward as the salesman is giving you the evil eye, and you explain to him you are measuring to see if it will fit the house, then ask for a brochure , if it has measurements on it so much the better , this also gives salesman a glimmer of hope and you also get a business card in case things get nasty in the shop. Now you go home and scan the brochure into your computer.
What ! You don’t have a scanner ? You have been totally ripped off in life , don’t feel bad I don’t have one either.
Here is a better idea, get on the net , go to search , type in “screen calipers” find free copy , download and install it , make a shortcut to desktop.
Go back to search type in www. Woodbin.com , download free copy of Board ft. Calculator , install and make shortcut. You now have 2 free fully functional tools.
Your better half has decided you need an Armoire , now there is a nice buzzy little word , so now you take a couple of hours out of your life on the net to find out what it is and what its supposed to look like.
There is nothing worse then having a 7’6” armoire with 8’ ceilings , let alone getting it through the door.
You have now made your choice , right click picture and save it as a jpeg file. Don’t forget to jot down a couple of the measurements while online , how high how wide how deep.
This is where calipers come in. Click on saved file with picture , then click on calipers. Measure width of picture with calipers the reading will be in pixels.
Example: The width of furniture was 48” The pixel readout was 192 pixels , then by division 192/48 = 4 pixels per inch. Everything in the picture is relevant.
You may now measure , doors, drawers trim height etc. in pixels and dividing by 4 pixels per inch will bring everything into inches. Make a sketch and write in dimensions. Neat eh ! . At 4 pixels per inch you get 1/4 “ accuracy , if you want 1/8” accuracy double the the size of picture with your viewer.
Now you have it all down on paper , click on board ft calculator and figure how much wood you will need, then you can start juggling to see the different lengths that will be beneficial to you.
The cost of the project can now be estimated prior to starting , don’t run yourself too tight on estimating , those “ whoops “
Can add up to a lot of extra wood.
Now that I have tested your reading skills , try these tools out I think you will like them.
Good Luck “ Measure 3 or 4 times “ Cut Once”
The Ole Woodbutcher.
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