How to Plan a Wood Building Project

Sometimes, the hardest part of completing a project is planning it. Following certain steps will help you prepare your next wood building project and actually get it started.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure

Instructions

1. Decide on the project you want to complete. While this may seem too obvious to mention, it is far too easy to skip this step and then never actually finish any of the project ideas floating around in your head. Write out a list of all the projects you would like to begin, and then decide which one you will tackle first. If you already have a design for this project, skip to Step 5.

2. Determine the design for the item you will build. Do not treat this step lightly---doing it right will save you time, money and aggravation in the long run. Sit down at a table with a piece of paper, a pencil and pictures or drawings of the type of item you would like to build, and begin drawing. Draw many versions and carefully consider your space, tools and skills before deciding upon the final design.

3. Carefully measure the space in which your finished item will be placed. Be sure to consider how much open area you might need around it (for example, if it is a swing set or a work bench).

4. Draw a diagram of your project, labeling each piece of wood with its individual length, width and height. Draw this in 3-D, if you can, but you could also make three two-dimensional drawings, if that's easier for you. The diagram should be large enough that you can show each piece of wood and hardware fitting individually. As you draw, pause to think about how you will be cutting and attaching the various pieces (for example, will you use screws or glue?); this will impact the type of shapes and joints you draw. Take your time on this step to make certain you know exactly how you will be building your item---before you start cutting anything.

5. Use your detailed plans to make a list of the wood pieces, hardware and tools you will need. Make note of the total lengths of each size of wood you will need by adding up the lengths of the individual pieces (e.g., 60 inches of 2-by-4 inch boards and 3 feet of 1-by-2 inch boards), so that you can purchase the appropriate length at the hardware or lumber store. This is much easier to do at home with a calculator than in your head at the store.

6. Purchase and/or gather the wood, hardware and tools in your work area. Plan out the time you will need to complete the project, and then you're ready to begin.