Fxguy Posted October 4, 2015 Report Share Posted October 4, 2015 Is there any software out there (or a method you use) to layout pieces for cutting? For example, I'm particularly interested in any software or a way to change a layout based on board size. I have a project I'd like to start working on for my son (the Toy Bulldozer from Wood Magazine Sept 2010) and it shows the pieces laid out for cutting on a piece of 3/4" X 5 1.2" X 60" Walnut (2.5 BD ft). However, the piece of Walnut I have is 4/4 Walnut at 7 3/4" X 36" (3.9 BDFT) and I'd like to figure out if I can get the pieces out of it or will I need to purchase additional wood. It'd be really nice if there was a piece of software out there that could take a cutting diagram and display alternatives based on the size of lumber you have laying around. I'm I just stuck with penciling it out in scale to see if I can get the pieces to fit and the best way to do so? Thanks guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted October 4, 2015 Report Share Posted October 4, 2015 Even if there is software out there that does that, and there probably is...it doesn't account for the natural variability in lumber. So it may lay your parts out perfectly in regard to minimizing waste...but too bad it decided to land your most visible piece in a place with a huge knot, or gave you two parts for a panel that have horribly conflicting grain or color.Not to be negative about it...I know some people enjoy using technology...but I can't imagine there's a better or faster way than a tape measure, a square, and a carpenter's pencil. One of my favorite steps of every project is laying out and agonizing over parts. This part of the process has a HUGE impact on the appearance of the final product...and I'm certain a computer cannot do it as well as a human. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fxguy Posted October 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2015 While I would agree if this were an important piece of furniture where such things obviously matter, for a child's toy project like this, and with the piece I have, not that big of a deal Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted October 4, 2015 Report Share Posted October 4, 2015 It always matters. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted October 4, 2015 Report Share Posted October 4, 2015 #1 Eric! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fxguy Posted October 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2015 Obviously then I'm still quite the newbie because I don't exactly see the difference. Aside from the blade, cab and radiator I don't see the layout making a difference one way or the other. Here is the piece I have: Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted October 4, 2015 Report Share Posted October 4, 2015 There are two concepts at play here and some workarounds that might help. Eric nailed one, no more on that. Scale variation in printing can help if you have the ability to print parts 1:1. You can scale the print 2:1 etc and lay cutouts on your pieces within reason. This might work for a piece the size of a toy dozer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted October 4, 2015 Report Share Posted October 4, 2015 Most of the program's layout to cut 4x8 sheets. Some also layout to 49x 97, 49x 120 , 49x 145 , 61x 109 & 61x145. 60x60 Baltic is another possible size.I don't keep up with software much so maybe someone does.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted October 4, 2015 Report Share Posted October 4, 2015 (edited) Yes that product exists. It's called Microsoft Excel. Edited October 4, 2015 by Brendon_t Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fxguy Posted October 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2015 Brendon, could you elaborate a little more on how you use excel to do this ? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted October 4, 2015 Report Share Posted October 4, 2015 (edited) He just posted this elsewhere. Make your boxes square and treat them as inches or eighths or whatever measure your scale needs. Edited October 4, 2015 by C Shaffer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted October 4, 2015 Report Share Posted October 4, 2015 Correct. Scale the cells up or down however you like. I treat mine as 1" for small projects and 3" for large. Using the right click> format cells tool, outline the appropriate board size. Now lay out your parts on the "board" with bold lines. Keep in mind this won't take blade loss of wood into account. It's just a down and dirty layout option when you none care to lay it out for the grain. I usually use this for sheets of ply that have a lot of party's coming from one sheet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteJr Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 I use this program and find it useful. You can define each board separately which may help with your cut piece assignment.http://delphiforfun.org/programs/cutlist.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 Fx guy, several of us here have made these toys and the layout ON paper looks good but keep in mind that they're showing different thicknesses of pieces coming from the same board. That's hard to do unless you hand plane the thinner pieces, as they're too short to run through the planer or try and resaw them on the bandsaw. I found that I had to buy extra material for the thinner pieces and laying them out on a board that I had run through the planer at the desired thickness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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