Designing Woodworking Projects

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

Project design is: A process Develops ideas Shapes or forms projects

A successful woodworking project starts with a well-

planned designBased on familiarSomething new

The Project Design ProcessConsider your goals for the project….. Appealing Blend it together Will it work

Other things to consider… Tools & techniques Different methods

What should I build? Deciding what to build is where the design

process begins. Specific need Challenge your skills

“Healthy desire to explore new techniques is what makes woodworking a hobby, not a chore. –Bruce Kieffer

Evolution of a Woodworking project

1. Create the Design

2. Build a prototype (if necessary)

3. Build the project

Getting Project Ideas Actual pieces of furniture Discuss with other woodworkers Local library or your own collection of books

and magazines Internet plans Watching TV or movies. Local woodworking stores.

Practical Considerations Wood species Solid wood, plywood or veneer? Choosing hardware & finishes

Staining – Some stains harder to apply than others Avoid Gel stains, 1 step stain and polyurethane

combinations, and other thick stains

Making Prototypes Prototype tricky joints Test pieces for routing profiles

Standard Furniture Dimensions Dining Tables

Top height: 29 – 30” Place setting width:

24” min., 30” best Table edge to pedestal

base clearance: 14” min Apron to floor

clearance: 23 ½”

Miscellaneous Tables Coffee tables: 12 – 18”

tall End tables: 18 – 24”

tall Desks

Depth: 30” deep Writing height: 29– 30” Computer keyboard

stations: 25 – 27” tall

Standard Furniture Dimensions Bedroom furniture

Dressers: 18 – 24” deep, 30” min height

Night stands: 18 – 22” Bed mattress height:

18 – 22” Chairs

Seat height: 15 – 18” Seat width: 17 – 20” Seat depth: 15 – 18” Arm rest (from seat):

8 – 10”

Bookcases Depth: 12” Height: 76” maximum Shelf width: 24” max width for

¾” plywood shelves; 36” max width for ¾” solid wood shelves

Lounge seating Seat height: 14 – 17” Seat width: 24” min/person Seat depth: 15 – 18” Arm rest height (from seat): 8 –

10” Seat angle tilt backwards: 3 - 5° Backrest tilt angle from seat:

95 - 105°

Furniture Styles Jacobean (1600 – 1690) Early American (1640 – 1700) William and Mary (1690 –

1725) Queen Anne (1700 – 1755) Colonial (1700 – 1780) Georgian (1714 – 1760) Pennsylvania Dutch (1720 -

1830) Chippendale (1750 –1790) Robert Adam (1760 – 1795) Hepplewhite (1765 – 1800)

Federal (1780 – 1820) Sheraton (1780 – 1820) Duncan Phyfe (1795 – 1848) American Empire (1800 –

1840) Shaker (1820 – 1860) Victorian (1840 – 1910) Arts and Craft (1880 – 1910) Art Nouveau (1890 – 1910) Scandinavian Contemporary

(1930 – 1950)

Duncan Phyfe (1795 – 1848) Appearance

Graceful & refined w/ carved or reeded legs.

Drawer Pulls Oval back plate w/stamped

brass handle Mushroom-shaped glass or

brass knob. Brass Lion's head with pull ring

through mouth. Loop bail handle w/no back

plate. Joints

Dovetail Finish

Oil varnish

Shaker (1820 – 1860) Appearance

Straight lines, simple design and little ornamentation.

Drawer Pulls Mushroom-shaped wooden

knob

Joints Dovetail

Finish Oil varnish Paint

Victorian (1840 – 1910) Appearance

Elaborately detailed, formal, somber appearance. Cabriole style leg.

Drawer Pulls Carved wood handle. Mushroom-shaped glass or

wooden knob. Rosette - round flower or leaf

shaped knob in brass or glass. Joints

Dovetail Finish

Oil varnish

Arts & Craft aka. Mission (1880 – 1910) Appearance

Straight lines, simple design and little ornamentation.

Straight lines and heavy proportion Drawer Pulls

Bail handle w/back plate. Mushroom-shaped wooden knob. Round brass ring pull w/o back

plate. Joints

Dovetail Mortise and tenon

Finish Lacquer Shellac Stain Wax

Scandinavian Contemporary (1930 – 1950) Appearance

Straight lines, simple design, and little ornamentation.

Drawer Pulls Mushroom-shaped wooden

knob. Joints

Dovetail Mortise and tenon

Finish Oil varnish Stain Wax