WWA Info Exchange

I used Cutlist for a while when it was new and free and used it on several projects to est. needs both in sheet goods and lumber.
I lost my orginal program when I changed computers and wanted to update a project and now find that Cutlist is $90 and for me way out of line. Tried the trial version but it cannot read my old files.

Sketchup and I do not get along and I have a hard time using it.

Is there something like Cutlist out there where I can put in my dimensions and boards and get a layout on sheet goods and an est on bdft?
Prefer free but min cost is also OK.

Duan

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Duan Packard
Kerrville, Texas

dum vivimus, vivamus

Several, but I can't vouch for any of them since I don't use them.

http://www.woodweb.com/Resources/RSSoft ... ction.html

http://www.allwoodwork.com/Links/freesoftware.htm

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I bring to life, I bring to death:
The spirit does but mean the breath:
I know no more. (Tennyson, In Memoriam)

Give this a shot, I knew I had it somewhere.

http://www.woodbin.com/calcs/tabulator.htm

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Chance

I'm not lost, I'm just exploring a different route.
200 posts finally on 11-1-07 @5:15pm

Gene and Chance

Thanks I will give them a shot tomorrow or next.
LOML has a fixture changing project in mind for the morning.

Duan

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Duan Packard
Kerrville, Texas

dum vivimus, vivamus

Thanks for that post, Gene. I could use a couple of those. Looking forward to tryen' 'em out.

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Joe T

Not as many "freebies" as there used to be. Most are now crippled demo versions. Can't blame the developers, they're trying to make a buck just like the rest of us. If I were in business, instead of just hobbying, I'd spring for a professional package, since it would be a tax write off. As it is, I just sketch a pencil & paper plan and live with the little bit of waste. I made a drafting board several years ago and have the usual drafting tools if I need to do a scale dwg.

I actually prefer the p&p over a computer anyway. Seems more user friendly somehow.

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I bring to life, I bring to death:
The spirit does but mean the breath:
I know no more. (Tennyson, In Memoriam)

Hey Duan,

I agree with Gene; I choose pencil and paper for the same reason that I choose hand tools. I get a great deal of satisfaction working at Pop's old drafting table. He made it himself as part of an Industrial Design course back when he was in college. Somehow, I just don't get the same enjoyment from my laptop.

Tom

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"There is no path to peace, peace is the path."
Mohandas K. Ghandi

Tom and Gene

I agree totally. I also do P&P drafting with T sq. etc. Almost all my projects start that way.
I just used Cutlist to est. and layout sheet goods and give me a number for bdft for lumber, worked most of the time.

Thanks all for the suggestions and ideas.

Duan

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Duan Packard
Kerrville, Texas

dum vivimus, vivamus

Have to say that if you are making a drawing for some one else, using a computer or drawing equiptment makes sense. For my own projects, I just free hand sketch it and add dimensions and notes.

If you have a chalkboard or white board, you can draw furniture full scale with a yard stick..................NOTHING beats full scale to see your design come to life.

When buying wood buy twice what you think you need, it has a great expiration date!

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"To all those who work come moments of beauty unseen by the rest of the world." Norman Maclean

Hey Guys,

Although Duan was refering to a sheet goods program (which I agree is a different concern), I thought I'd relate how I resolve cutlists and layout for furniture projects.

I first label all the parts with sequential letter designations, then I make a preliminary layout based on the most likely lumber widths (remembering to allow for sapwood). I then take a couple of colors of chalk with me to the yard, and as I am selecting boards for the project, I label each board with the part letter and the number of them that I can reasonably get out of each board, eg. A(6), A(2), etc. I try to use a different color of chalk than the yard uses so as not to confuse or irritate anyone. Comparing my selection with the prescribed number of pieces, I can adjust the initial layout as required by the widths of lumber available. When I get them home, all my purchases are labeled with the parts and quantities that are to be cut out of them.

It seems pretty rudimentary, but I'm always surprised by folks that head to the lumber yard without having done their homework.

Tom

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"There is no path to peace, peace is the path."
Mohandas K. Ghandi

Tom

You are right about doing homework. Without some sort of plan you end up with too, too much or too little (worse).
I like yours but I have a hard time doing something like that here or in San Antonio, I haven't found one that will really let you pick.

Duan

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Duan Packard
Kerrville, Texas

dum vivimus, vivamus

Bring a trailer and come to Houston, they will let you pick what you want.