Reply by Jon Hobbs

I mostly look at other completed projects as inspiration. I’ll take inspiration wherever I can find it. Magazines, web pages, furniture stores, model homes, etc. I’ll do up my own design with tweaks and adjustments and my own creativity. Sometimes I’ll combine elements from multiple projects into a new, unique design. Occasionally, I’ll come up with something fresh out of my head. I’ve never purchased plans.

I typically draw things up using SketchList 3D. Its design software that was built from the ground up specifically for woodworking. I’ve found it way easier to learn than more generic CAD programs. I don’t get overly detailed, like including joinery, shaping and hardware, although the software allows for that. Even still, it quite often helps identify errors in specific board sizes and can help to tweak proportions and aesthetics. It also makes it pretty quick and ease to look at “what-ifs” and different design options.

Most of the time, I’ll generate cut lists from the SketchList design and organize boards by thickness, length and width. This helps organize my workflow in the shop which maximizes the efficiency of my time in the shop (which is a rare and precious commodity). It also allows me to minimize machine set-up changes which improves accuracy as well as minimizes time wasted on adjusting things.

-- Jon -- Just a Minnesota kid hanging out in Kansas