"J T" wrote:
> Just my brain. Works just fine. My dau-in-law got me to make
some
> of those pukey white yard art reindeer for her. Copied some
pictures
> off the web, figured out the scale using my trusty engineer ruler,
and
> 1/4" graph paper, and sketched them out on the graph paper. Made an
> extra copy of everything, cut 'em out, laid 'em out on a page of
graph
> paper, moved them around until I optimized the cut pattern. No
prob. I
> sincerely doubt I'd use computer software for anything, worked with
> computers for years, and for me, that'd turn something fun nto work.
> I'd rather just figure it all out my self. Only took me about 3-4
hours
> as it was.
I'm with you except I like 8x8 paper.
For a one off job, takes more time to learn the software, then load
the data, than it does to sketch out the job and get busy with the
scissors.
Lew
Thu, Nov 15, 2007, 5:37pm (EST-3) [email protected]
(Lew=A0Hodgett) doth sayeth:
I'm with you except I like 8x8 paper.
For a one off job, takes more time to learn the software, then load the
data, than it does to sketch out the job and get busy with the scissors.
Actually that was the first time I've used graph paper in I don't
know how long. Most stuff I just design in my head, with "maybe" a
rough sketch or two, and a batch of measurements. Works so far.
JOAT
The whole of life is a learning process.
- John Keel
On Thu, 15 Nov 2007 17:37:57 -0800, "Lew Hodgett"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>
> "J T" wrote:
>
>> Just my brain. Works just fine. My dau-in-law got me to make
>some
>> of those pukey white yard art reindeer for her. Copied some
>pictures
>> off the web, figured out the scale using my trusty engineer ruler,
>and
>> 1/4" graph paper, and sketched them out on the graph paper. Made an
>> extra copy of everything, cut 'em out, laid 'em out on a page of
>graph
>> paper, moved them around until I optimized the cut pattern. No
>prob. I
>> sincerely doubt I'd use computer software for anything, worked with
>> computers for years, and for me, that'd turn something fun nto work.
>> I'd rather just figure it all out my self. Only took me about 3-4
>hours
>> as it was.
>
>I'm with you except I like 8x8 paper.
>
>For a one off job, takes more time to learn the software, then load
>the data, than it does to sketch out the job and get busy with the
>scissors.
>
>Lew
>
>
When I was in college, I worked in a lumberyard for a bit. I was one
of the "yard monkeys" that loaded up trucks and performed various
manual labor tasks outside. One of the most disliked tasks by the
other yard monkeys was "sawyer". You'd be given a takeoff list from a
house package, and gather up the materials to cut the jack studs,
headers, etc. The reason that the other yard monkeys didn't like the
job was that it entailed thinking, when they'd rather be taking a
smoke break. I, on the other hand, loved doing it, so I became the
sawyer almost full time. (They called me "head sawyer" which almost
got me to change my major from engineering to brain surgery,
hahaha...) We had a 16" radial arm saw that was nicknamed "Killer"
but that's a story for another day...
The header beams ranged anywhere from 4x6 to 6x12 and up. I made it a
personal challenge to lay out the materials for a house package with
the absolute smallest amount of waste possible. I did it with a
calculator and a pencil, usually taking between 5 and 15 minutes per
house. My usual amount of waste was around 6-8 inches on a 20 foot
beam. Once in a while I'd get "in the groove" and produce a cutlist
that had NO waste, other than the saw kerfs.
That makes you feel REAL good. Beat that, computer!
The point is, you CAN do it if you set your mind to it. I have
regularly produced sheet (plywood) cutlists, by hand, that were easier
to cut than those generated by software. The layout software may
occasionally beat me on the efficiency of the layout (ie the waste
left over) but I can usually get a cutlist that is easier to cut out
or has better grain matching.
--
Bob the Tomato
"Lew Hodgett" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> I'm with you except I like 8x8 paper.
>
> For a one off job, takes more time to learn the software, then load
> the data, than it does to sketch out the job and get busy with the
> scissors.
>
> Lew
>
>
>
Awh, and like it takes no time to learn to use those "scissors". ;~)
"goaway" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Has anyone used software to help get the most out a sheet of plywood? I
> can kind of do this with using the "colorforms" method. Rather try with
> software. Thanks
>
I use TurboCad for this. You can also use Photoshop.
--
www.garagewoodworks.com
A free, no frills, CutList program is available at
http://www.delphiforfun.org/Programs/CutList.htm
--
JeffB
remove no.spam. to email
goaway wrote:
> Has anyone used software to help get the most out a sheet of plywood? I can
> kind of do this with using the "colorforms" method. Rather try with
> software. Thanks
>
>
Andy H <[email protected]> wrote in news:[email protected]:
> B A R R Y wrote:
>> On Wed, 14 Nov 2007 20:24:04 -0500, "goaway" <[email protected]>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Has anyone used software to help get the most out a sheet of
>>> plywood? I can kind of do this with using the "colorforms" method.
>>> Rather try with software. Thanks
>>
>>
>> Count me in for Cutlist Plus.
>::snip::
>
> Is CutList Plus available for the Mac?
>
> Sorry, but CutList Plus is only available for Windows XP and later.
>
> Not worth it to me to have to use windoze.
>
> BadAndy
>
You could possibly install Wine on OS X, seeing how it's a *nix base.
DAGS if you're interested. Wine would then let you run many Windows
programs on Mac (or Linux).
Puckdropper
--
Wise is the man who attempts to answer his question before asking it.
To email me directly, send a message to puckdropper (at) fastmail.fm
On Wed, 14 Nov 2007 20:24:04 -0500, "goaway" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>Has anyone used software to help get the most out a sheet of plywood? I can
>kind of do this with using the "colorforms" method. Rather try with
>software. Thanks
>
Tried several and settled on the "Sheet Cutting Suite" from these
folks: http://www.optimizecutter.com/
The free version is full featured except that the layouts cannot be
printed. No real hindrance for hobby type work, but would be a pain to
use in a production shop. I like the ability to import profiles and
nest non-rectangular parts. Works just as well for board stock as it
does for sheet stock (Just treat the board as if it were a sheet).
Tom Veatch
Wichita, KS
USA
Cutlist is pretty much the standard tool if you don't own a full blown
cabinet software package. It is better at sheet goods than it is with
lumber but it works for both. There are a few different versions and
as someone mentioned a demo version. I own it and have used it quite a
bit at times. I find it pretty much bullet proof and I am in the
software business in my day job.
On Nov 14, 5:24 pm, "goaway" <[email protected]> wrote:
> Has anyone used software to help get the most out a sheet of plywood? I can
> kind of do this with using the "colorforms" method. Rather try with
> software. Thanks
Wed, Nov 14, 2007, 8:24pm [email protected] (goaway) doth queryeth:
Has anyone used software to help get the most out a sheet of plywood? I
can kind of do this with using the "colorforms" method. Rather try with
software. Thanks
Just my brain. Works just fine. My dau-in-law got me to make some
of those pukey white yard art reindeer for her. Copied some pictures
off the web, figured out the scale using my trusty engineer ruler, and
1/4" graph paper, and sketched them out on the graph paper. Made an
extra copy of everything, cut 'em out, laid 'em out on a page of graph
paper, moved them around until I optimized the cut pattern. No prob. I
sincerely doubt I'd use computer software for anything, worked with
computers for years, and for me, that'd turn something fun nto work.
I'd rather just figure it all out my self. Only took me about 3-4 hours
as it was.
JOAT
The whole of life is a learning process.
- John Keel
"Hoosierpopi" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:9c10fdf8-d121-4f99-b538-7b1e82ec6a93@c30g2000hsa.googlegroups.com...
> I used the Sheet Layout from Drummond - freeware version and later an
> evaluation version.
> It allowed me to determine how best to use a sheet of plywood to get
> the most out of a sheet.
> Worked fine for me. http://www.sheetlayout.com/products.htm
Drummond? I don't recall that being Don's last name. ;~)
On Nov 14, 9:05 pm, "Matt" <[email protected]> wrote:
> Cut List Plus -www.Cutlistplus.com has a demo version that lets you
> specify the upto 5 shapes at a time
> I used it to cut the panels to make my a set of kitchen cabinets. I like
> it.
> There is another called Sheet layout 9 -www.sheetlayout.com. I have looked
> at it only briefly and have not spent enough time to form an opinion.
> Matt
>
> "goaway" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> news:[email protected]...
>
> > Has anyone used software to help get the most out a sheet of plywood? I
> > can kind of do this with using the "colorforms" method. Rather try with
> > software. Thanks
I used the Sheet Layout from Drummond - freeware version and later an
evaluation version.
It allowed me to determine how best to use a sheet of plywood to get
the most out of a sheet.
Worked fine for me. http://www.sheetlayout.com/products.htm
"Leon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:3q9%[email protected]...
>
> "Lew Hodgett" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>
>
>> I'm with you except I like 8x8 paper.
>>
>> For a one off job, takes more time to learn the software, then load
>> the data, than it does to sketch out the job and get busy with the
>> scissors.
>>
>> Lew
>>
>>
>>
>
> Awh, and like it takes no time to learn to use those "scissors". ;~)
DO NOT, REPEAT, DO NOT RUN WITH SCISSORS!
--
NuWave Dave in Houston
Cut List Plus - www.Cutlistplus.com has a demo version that lets you
specify the upto 5 shapes at a time
I used it to cut the panels to make my a set of kitchen cabinets. I like
it.
There is another called Sheet layout 9 - www.sheetlayout.com. I have looked
at it only briefly and have not spent enough time to form an opinion.
Matt
"goaway" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Has anyone used software to help get the most out a sheet of plywood? I
> can kind of do this with using the "colorforms" method. Rather try with
> software. Thanks
>
On Nov 14, 8:24 pm, "goaway" <[email protected]> wrote:
> Has anyone used software to help get the most out a sheet of plywood? I can
> kind of do this with using the "colorforms" method. Rather try with
> software. Thanks
Cutlist is my vote. But if you like graph paper. Here is a link to
print may types of graph paper on your printer (even customizable):
http://www.incompetech.com/graphpaper/
Dave
B A R R Y wrote:
> On Wed, 14 Nov 2007 20:24:04 -0500, "goaway" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>> Has anyone used software to help get the most out a sheet of plywood? I can
>> kind of do this with using the "colorforms" method. Rather try with
>> software. Thanks
>
>
> Count me in for Cutlist Plus.
::snip::
Is CutList Plus available for the Mac?
Sorry, but CutList Plus is only available for Windows XP and later.
Not worth it to me to have to use windoze.
BadAndy
--
:: Clever Sig here ::
"J T" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Wed, Nov 14, 2007, 8:24pm [email protected] (goaway) doth queryeth:
> Has anyone used software to help get the most out a sheet of plywood? I
> can kind of do this with using the "colorforms" method. Rather try with
> software. Thanks
>
> Just my brain. Works just fine. My dau-in-law got me to make some
> of those pukey white yard art reindeer for her. Copied some pictures
> off the web, figured out the scale using my trusty engineer ruler, and
> 1/4" graph paper, and sketched them out on the graph paper. Made an
> extra copy of everything, cut 'em out, laid 'em out on a page of graph
> paper, moved them around until I optimized the cut pattern. No prob. I
> sincerely doubt I'd use computer software for anything, worked with
> computers for years, and for me, that'd turn something fun nto work.
> I'd rather just figure it all out my self. Only took me about 3-4 hours
> as it was.
LOL, I am working on a project, well 2 identical projects that have 240
pieces total and 28 different sized pieces. Would you like to graph that
out for me? It all needs to come out of 12, 1x6x10' and a 5'x5' piece of
Baltic Birch.
This is where Cutlist Plus shines. ;~)
Fri, Nov 16, 2007, 12:50am (EST+5) [email protected] (Leon)
doth sayeth:
LOL, I am working on a project, well 2 identical projects that have 240
pieces total and 28 different sized pieces. Would you like to graph that
out for me? It all needs to come out of 12, 1x6x10' and a 5'x5' piece of
Baltic Birch.
This is where Cutlist Plus shines. ;~)
Hey, no prob. Send the plywood, and I'll take care of it.
Cutlist Plus. Electric sissors, right?
JOAT
The whole of life is a learning process.
- John Keel
>Fri, Nov 16, 2007, 12:50am (EST+5) [email protected] (Leon)
>doth sayeth:
>LOL, I am working on a project, well 2 identical projects that have 240
>pieces total and 28 different sized pieces. Would you like to graph that
>out for me? It all needs to come out of 12, 1x6x10' and a 5'x5' piece of
>Baltic Birch.
>This is where Cutlist Plus shines. ;~)
>
I had a project back at the ol' lumberyard which was similar. A local
company needed some specialized packing crates, lots and lots of them.
We had a vertical panel saw which could rip and crosscut (you've
probably seen those at Home Depot). I spent some time tuning it up
and got to work. We delivered the parts for 200 packing crates (made
of 3/4" baltic birch) three days later, banded and wrapped. Somewhere
I have a picture that a coworker snapped while I was working at the
saw, almost shin-deep in sawdust!
Seriously, if you need help with this layout, post details and we'll
tear it up!
--
Bob the Tomato
On Wed, 14 Nov 2007 20:24:04 -0500, "goaway" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>Has anyone used software to help get the most out a sheet of plywood? I can
>kind of do this with using the "colorforms" method. Rather try with
>software. Thanks
Count me in for Cutlist Plus.
It'll even make part labels. <G> The program knows which way the
grain runs, or that it doesn't matter, you can choose either for each
material and part. It can keep track of offcuts and partial sheets
and use them first.
I also find the program extremely useful for trim and molding. Put
in the parts, and you can play "what-if?" with different selections of
lengths. This is useful both for creating an order, and when the
supplier delivers a different make-up of lengths.
Try it free @ cutlistplus.com. The free version allows something
like 25 parts, and as far as I remember is fully functional, except
for a few features unlikely to be of interest to a casual woodworker.
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** http://www.bburke.com/woodworking.html **
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