No, I’m not trying to resurrect your suppressed memories of torturous piano lessons. I’m bringing this into a realm you’re much more enthusiastic and passionate about; your woodworking.
Even though it was traumatic, the scales you practiced in piano (or whatever musical instrument you had to endure) had a purpose. They were designed to improve your skill and bring confidence in your ability. The same can be true in woodworking. You’re going to use different scales and dimensions to help you improve your designs and give you greater confidence as a designer and maker.
1/4 Scale
When you are satisfied with the overall design, it’s time to move from a thumbnail sketch to a scale drawing. A scale drawing is just a simple rendering of the overall form and important details drawn to proportionate scale. This is easiest to do with one of those triangular architect rules. It has various scale measurements on each side and each end.
I prefer to start with a ¼” scale drawing. This helps me to work out proportion and scale in greater ways. I can really begin to see how each part relates to the others. This also gives me a chance to correct dimensions of the piece as well as the individual parts.
This gives you one more chance to go back to the original sketches and make any design changes before moving forward.
Full Scale for Full Effect
Once you have a ¼” scale rendering, it’s time to move on to a full scale drawing. I know this can seem a little redundant, and admittedly, it can be somewhat of a formality, but it can also really be a time saver in the long run.
A full scale drawing is simply all the views, or “elevations” of the piece and any special details drawn to exact size and dimension. If there were any questions about proportion in the previous renderings, they will be answered here. Getting a look at the piece in full scale can really help you see any flaws in the overall design. This is also a chance to work out the details for elements like complex joinery, delicate molding profiles, and any carvings or embellishments.
I have to confess that I do not always use this step for the whole piece. If there are complicated joints and angles that I plan on using, I will do a full size drawing of these elements. It is, however, a good practice to get into early on in your design work. I typically generate my full size drawings on a simple antique drafting board with a basic drafting T-square and yard stick.
A Whole New Dimension
Once all of the details and measurements are worked out, it’s time to add a whole new dimension to your design. If you want to see what all the parts look like from every angle, then a scale model is in order. Whether it’s 1/4 scale or full size, a 3D model can really help work out some bugs.
A scale model is simply a quick three-dimensional reference tool for the real thing. All you need are materials like scrap wood, plywood, cardboard, framing lumber, screws, and even duct tape! I really enjoy this stage of design because you can essentially construct a piece of furniture in a matter of an hour or two.
If you do a full scale model, cut all the parts to size and join them with pocket screws, nails, or whatever suits you. The idea is to build a close representation of the finished piece. This is a great time to work out the process for executing complicated joinery or shaping complex curved parts. You can clearly see how each part works or doesn’t work within the context of the whole.
I have gotten to this stage in the design several times and realized, only then, that I needed to go back to square one and adjust some sizes and proportions, or add or remove some details. Believe me, better to discover these things now than when you’re building the actual piece.
It’s actually a lot of fun to build, and it gives other people an opportunity to give some valuable input as well, since they can observe the object with all sides and design elements right in front of them.
While all of these steps may not be necessary to go from pencil sketch to finished piece, each one can and should have its place in the vernacular of any woodworker who is actively designing their own pieces.
So, don’t forget to practice those scales next time the opportunity presents itself. I promise you it will not be as torturous as those childhood piano lessons were!
Have you employed scale drawing or models in your design process? What’s been holding you back if you haven’t?
How would you like to design furniture that sells? Find out how in the Woodworking Can Pay The Bills E-course.
