Estimating materials for your woodworking project - How to buy what you need for your next project - Woodworking tips tricks and know how from Artist Author Craftsman Gregory Paolini

	Woodworking Tips from Gregory Paolini
	Information, Tips, and Know-how for woodworking Enthusiasts

Estimating materials for your woodworking project

Text & Photos by Gregory Paolini

	Designing your own woodworking project and seeing it come to fruition can be one of the most satisfying aspects of woodworking. You can step back and marvel at a creation, which came from a little brain storming, some planning, and a little bit of sweat.
	But there's a gap between the design stage and the building stage - Somewhere along the line you have to buy the materials for your project. And properly figuring out how much you should buy can make the difference between a well executed plan, or a money pit that just keeps getting deeper.

	Start with a plan
	While the concept of detailed design is well beyond the scope of this article, it is important to have a well thought out plan for the project you're preparing to undertake.
	At this stage of the project, you should have a drawing or sketch, and you should have taken the time to devise a cut list. You should know the size of all of the pieces you will need.

	Solid Lumber
	When buying rough lumber, calculate the total amount of lumber you'll need in board feet, and add a waste factor. In the case of solid lumber, that waste factor is fifty percent. It may sound high, but remember, the first thing you do to prepare a 4/4 blank of rough lumber is remove 25% of its thickness at the planer. 50% is actually a standard for custom furniture shops.
	You can ask your sawyer to pick out the correct amount of lumber for you, or you can bring along a lumber rule to make sure you get the right amount yourself. Of course the more time you spend sorting through boards, laying out your cuts, and the more experience you gain as a woodworker, the less actual waste you'll have, but for my projects I figure on 50%.

	Sheet Goods
	When I talk about sheet goods, I mean any kind of man made plywood, MDF, particle board, melamine, etc. You need to consider these carefully, because they can get very pricey, with some hardwood ply woods exceeding $100 a sheet.
	Sheet goods can be broken down in to two different categories: Grain or No Grain. Products like particle board and MDF have no grain patterns, and components can be cut in any orientation. Ply woods, and some types of melamine have a grain pattern to them, and while you don't necessarily have to orient the grain a particular direction, you'll more than likely want to .
	I tally up the total square footage of the pieces I'll require for the project, and add in a 20% waste factor. In my experience, this is a good number to base requirements on, and get me an idea of how much material I'll need.
	But when it comes down to actually buying a sheet, I'll want to lay out a cutting diagram for all pieces cut from sheet goods. The cutting diagram not only helps you figure how much you'll need, but also how to break down that sheet most efficiently.

	Consumables
	Finally, don't forget about the little things. Most projects will require glue, screws, nails, sand paper, finish, etc. These may be things you have laying around, otherwise, you'll need to buy them as well.
	You're consumable items will vary from job to job, and typically make up a small portion of the project, so they can be tough to estimate - Just remember you'll need them.

	Hi ho, Hi ho...
	So now, armed with some new info on estimating, it's off to the lumber yard, and on to the next project. It's off to work we go!

	Now let's make sawdust!

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For your safety: Woodworking is inherently dangerous. Failure to use power or hand tools properly can cause permanent injury or even death! The information provided here is not a substitute for formal instruction or education. Do not try anything you learn here unless you are absolutely certain it is safe for you to do so. If there is an aspect of woodworking you are uncomfortable with, do not do it! Be sure to read any and all manuals and safety instructions which come with your tools, and always wear appropriate safety equipment.