Author Topic: Software for planning wood bookcases/cabinets/tables etc? (Read 235916 times)

Target · « **Reply #200 on:** December 15, 2016, 04:53 PM »

ran across this today and it harks back to the OP. It might not do everything you were asking for but it's worth a bookmark

http://www.allwinede.../standing-work-bench

KynloStephen66515 · « **Reply #201 on:** December 15, 2016, 05:59 PM »

Hammock update: It's holding up great and I love it.

I am now seriously considering building my second piece of "fine" furniture, a large chest of drawers/armoire. I'm afraid it will take me too long to do, cost too much, and that I will struggle getting the drawers to fit again. My rationale brain tells me to buy a second hand one and save lots of money and energy and time. But the part of my brain that is rogue is telling me that if I don't build it myself I will regret the lost opportunity/excuse to do so
-mouser (December 12, 2016, 12:50 PM)

Why not find a second hand one that it maybe old and tired, and make it pretty again? You can still utilize woodworking skills but without such a heavy cost/time burden!

ayryq · « **Reply #202 on:** December 16, 2016, 06:19 AM »

I'm afraid it will take me too long to do, cost too much, and that I will struggle getting the drawers to fit again.
-mouser (December 12, 2016, 12:50 PM)

It will almost definitely be all of those things. Is woodworking a hobby that brings you enjoyment, or just a means to an end? For me, it usually comes down to when I need the furniture in question. I just bought a pair of bunk beds for my sons that I definitely could have made myself. But I had them "done" in one weekend by buying them, instead of a month (or two) and in this case that was more important. I would disregard cost, by the way. The one you build will almost certainly be better materials and construction than the one you buy. If you want to compare cost, price some furniture made in Amish country—it'll make you feel better about the cost of birch plywood

I am now seriously considering building my second piece of "fine" furniture, a large chest of drawers/armoire.
-mouser (December 12, 2016, 12:50 PM)

Remember you will always regret it if you do not build secret compartments.

mouser · « **Reply #203 on:** July 18, 2017, 03:06 PM »

Hammock update:

Of all the improvements I've made to my place, the hammock install has been the best. It is a napping machine. Love it.

mouser · « **Reply #204 on:** November 15, 2017, 10:01 AM »

Latest project, a small 7x5 inch dice tray with cork bottom:

Considerably easier to build than an 8ft cabinet.

Shades · « **Reply #205 on:** November 15, 2017, 10:38 AM »

More challenging than a dice tray, but still less than the cabinet: a dice tower

Well, as a bonus, a dice tower can be used for both show and play.

mouser · « **Reply #206 on:** November 15, 2017, 01:16 PM »

a dice tower

Actually this dice tray was built to precise dimensions to accommodate a plastic dice tower I have:

Software for planning wood bookcases/cabinets/tables etc?

But yeah it might be fun to make a homemade wood dice tower..

wraith808 · « **Reply #207 on:** November 15, 2017, 04:27 PM »

That's pretty nifty! Good finishing work on that too!

mouser · « **Reply #208 on:** November 15, 2017, 04:40 PM »

Yeah I love that Arm-R-Seal stuff... it's super thin so it takes lot's of coats, but it goes on very smooth.

mouser · « **Reply #209 on:** June 16, 2018, 07:14 PM »

My latest bookcase.. I think I am getting a bit better. This is before staining and finishing:

Software for planning wood bookcases/cabinets/tables etc?

wraith808 · « **Reply #210 on:** June 16, 2018, 07:54 PM »

That actually looks professionally done! Kudos!

cranioscopical · « **Reply #211 on:** June 16, 2018, 08:52 PM »

I think I am getting a bit better.
-mouser (June 16, 2018, 07:14 PM)

Ath · « **Reply #212 on:** June 17, 2018, 03:33 AM »

That's very nice craftmanship

mouser · « **Reply #213 on:** June 22, 2018, 12:29 AM »

Well, the photos of it stained and finished do not look so great -- it looks a bit dark, muddy and busy:

Software for planning wood bookcases/cabinets/tables etc?

I think it looks a lot better in real life, and will look a lot better once it is filled. Having said that, I think maybe next time I will try a much more natural light golden stain, rather than the reddish brown one I've been using...

Once again I used a lot of coats of a thin wipe-on urethane (Arm-R-Seal satin). It creates a very nice looking and feeling finish that is quite forgiving to apply. The downside is it takes 5-8 coats so it's very time consuming. The stain is a water-base aniline dye, which I find a lot less prone to blotching than other types.

cranioscopical · « **Reply #214 on:** June 22, 2018, 09:59 AM »

It doesn't blend in quite as well as it did previously. That said, it's still a nice piece of work and will look quite different when it's filled.

mouser · « **Reply #215 on:** June 23, 2018, 01:38 AM »

Yeah, I can't say I wish I didn't stain it something light and golden and closer to original wood color... But I hope it will look less dark when it is filled with stuff, and that I will like it better over time.

tomos · « **Reply #216 on:** June 23, 2018, 02:06 AM »

I like the red-brown FWIW. Piece looks great

But yeah, maybe a similar colour to the darker squares in the floor would be nice too.

mouser · « **Reply #217 on:** July 10, 2018, 04:13 AM »

I'm about to get started on a similar structured but more elaborate piece -- an 8ft buffet (sideboard, credenza, etc.) with doors and drawers.
I found a realllllly nice warm golden aniline dye stain that I can't wait to try.. I'm also going to try using proper furniture feet for the first time..

Anyone have any thoughts among these potential designs?

Software for planning wood bookcases/cabinets/tables etc?

Software for planning wood bookcases/cabinets/tables etc?

This buffet will be 8ft (96 inches) long, only 14 inches deep, and about 32 inches tall. It will be in the hallway, visible as soon as you enter the house.
Among other things, the idea is for it to hold daily use SHOES, but I'm not sure what else. It's been suggested to me that daily shoes should be stored in open space not behind doors, in order to get good ventilation.

And some foot designs I am considering:

Software for planning wood bookcases/cabinets/tables etc?

cranioscopical · « **Reply #218 on:** July 10, 2018, 08:24 AM »

I found a realllllly nice warm golden aniline dye stain that I can't wait to try
-mouser (July 10, 2018, 04:13 AM)

So you're dyeing to start?

Design would be dictated by items to be stored.

It's been suggested to me that daily shoes should be stored in open space not behind doors, in order to get good ventilation.

Either ventilate that section from below or give the top a slight overhang at the back and ventilate that section at the back.

And some foot designs I am considering:

FWIW, I'd prefer a matched kickplate, maybe .5" inset, taking the whole piece down to the floor on 3 sides. In which case feet would be concealed and can be simple blocks. I like the look and there'd be no dust bunnies.

mouser · « **Reply #219 on:** July 10, 2018, 09:59 AM »

Either ventilate that section from below or give the top a slight overhang at the back and ventilate that section at the back.

yeah it would be easy to ventilate the back.

FWIW, I'd prefer a matched kickplate, maybe .5" inset, taking the whole piece down to the floor on 3 sides

i did that for my living room media cabinet, and it looks nice and i am generally a fan of the built-in look, but one thing about having legs and raising the cabinet off the ground though is it does make it feel a bit less heavy and imposing, and since this is sitting inside a hallway i dont want it to feel too imposing.

mouser · « **Reply #220 on:** July 13, 2018, 12:14 PM »

I have begun the latest project, hope to have some finished photos in a week or so.

KynloStephen66515 · « **Reply #221 on:** July 13, 2018, 03:23 PM »

I have begun the latest project, hope to have some finished photos in a week or so.
-mouser (July 13, 2018, 12:14 PM)

I'd love to see how close it ends up looking to the 3D version I did for you

mouser · « **Reply #222 on:** July 16, 2018, 06:38 PM »

Here it is so far after 5 days of solid work:

Software for planning wood bookcases/cabinets/tables etc?

I never said I was fast

Dimensions are 8ft long by about 30 inches tall.

Note that those aren't the real feet, they are temporary feet so I can stand it up and work with it before i put final real feet on at the end.

cranioscopical · « **Reply #223 on:** July 16, 2018, 10:45 PM »

I know you wanted to ventilate your shoes but that's taking things a bit too far!

mouser · « **Reply #224 on:** July 17, 2018, 02:50 AM »

Back will go on last.

ps.
Play the game: See if you can find #24 and my roomate.