Woodcraft

[Ryan]

Here's an interesting alternative to your trusty pencil. Essentially, Woodcraft is a 3d environment that you install on your iPad - allowing you to plan projects before you start them. I've tried it... It's pretty easy to understand and use, but it d...
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[Toolbag]

Wow that's pretty cool!

[Falcon67]

Some other handy stuff out there - search turned up Carpenter Cut. $10, not cheap. Put your plywood cuts from a 4x8 sheet in it and the app will gen a cut layout for the sheet.

[david594]

Makes me wish I owned an iPad. Temped to get it to try it out on the iphone though.

[DekeT]

I am surprised the chopsaw operator still has a thumb. Do people actually do that?

[Sarbatche]

The machining industry has been crying for a tool like that since the first iPad was just a rumor. Of course, we'd like it use different materials than wood and dimension things like tapped holes, bevels, etc... Then ultimately be able to port directly to a CNC machine.

Very cool app, but I'm not sure that it would more efficient than just pencil, paper, and calculator.

[Velbain]

Ouarf,

Originally Posted by DekeT

I am surprised the chopsaw operator still has a thumb. Do people actually do that?

iPad is already obsolete, that are tools of future :

[oberst]

Originally Posted by Velbain

Ouarf,





iPad is already obsolete, that are tools of future :

For the whole luddite experience, you should throw away that calculator and get a slide rule.

[porphyre]

heh. I've got a TI-83 Plus.

[NitroPress]

Originally Posted by oberst

you should throw away that calculator and get a slide rule.

Why? I already have four or five - the rolls royce of slipsticks, K+E Log Log Duplex Decitrigs. Six inch, ten inch and twenty inch models, with some backups.

[trojandj]

I took a look at this and it is nice if you have trouble visualizing objects in 3D. It allowed me to "use" the piece I wanted to make it for a little while and then make modifications.

Thought I would share the mobile wood cart I had planned with you guys. I have been lurking here long enough. Take a look at Doug's Mobile Wood Cart in the woodcraft galleries if you are looking for a place to start. I did add a 2x4 on the top of each side after uploading the plans.

[NitroPress]

Originally Posted by trojandj

I took a look at this and it is nice if you have trouble visualizing objects in 3D. It allowed me to "use" the piece I wanted to make it for a little while and then make modifications.

I haven't built much of anything in the last few years without drawing at least some working plans in CAD. You make all your mistakes and work through all the options in empty space and then can build the widget the right way - concentrating on the work and the finish instead of on details like strut lengths or hole placement.

Most recent thing was a heavy-duty tripod trolley that I wanted to fold - I could work out the folding leg pivot points to the fraction, so when I built it, they fold precisely flat against the others. It was meant to be a quick fill-in project but I've carried it on several location shoots and it always gets comments and compliments. Fun.

So yeah, I recommend even a simple sketchup or CAD program as a tool to start projects. Time to master the basics will pay off over and over.

[aroncornell]

Holy cow that guys thumb is pretty close to the blade.

[Alfster]

Originally Posted by aroncornell

Holy cow that guys thumb is pretty close to the blade.

Too close for my liking.....

[Nitsuj]

Am I just reckless? It didn't appear that close to me, considering the tool. It looked to be about 1.5 to 2 inches away, and on a chop saw, the work piece is stationary that the blade only moves up and down. Seemed a little close, but risk is minimal. It's not like that blade can suddenly jump to the right. IMHO.