Best rules of thumb on material planning?

[SJorgensen]

I'm trying to figure out how much material to buy for my current project but I realize that I don't have basic rules of thumb to go by, to plan the material properly. I've got to remember to plan for the kerf and since I have some advantage with a computer I wonder if I made some slight adjustment of a dimension here or there, would it result in efficient material usage? Should I buy 10' pieces or 20' pieces even though they will be harder to handle. Should I cut all the biggest pieces first, and then the next biggest?

Is it even worth planning it out? Is it better to just buy lots of material and have a great scrap pile? (Those were the days.)

Thanks in advance.

Spence

[3 Phase Lightbulb]

Don't buy too much material because you'll soon realize you'll want to upgrade your saw

[Tinkerer]

Best rule of thumb I have is... BUY MORE THEN YOU THINK YOU NEED. I always purchase more then I plan on using. I always buy in mill lengths as it's cheaper. If I purchase off a list of required materials I always add a piece of each item in case I have a senior moment (cheaper then delivery charges). No matter what you'll use what you've order one way or the other I know I always do.

[Evan]

You might try the free 1 dimension stock cut planning program here:

http://www.astrokettle.com/down1d.html

[Millman]

Also consider the facing or milling operation. Maybe each piece gets faced on 1 or both ends. If your saw is cutting out of square on each cut, that multiplies the amount of stock you,ll need. A Good saw will cut .002- .005 out of parellel in a 6" deep cut. If it 's not square, use some dynamite!

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Dave da Slave

[Your Old Dog]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Tinkerer:
Best rule of thumb I have is... BUY MORE THEN YOU THINK YOU NEED. I always purchase more then I plan on using. I always buy in mill lengths as it's cheaper. If I purchase off a list of required materials I always add a piece of each item in case I have a senior moment (cheaper then delivery charges). No matter what you'll use what you've order one way or the other I know I always do. </font>

I use Tinker's way but with this caveat. I always want to have enough scrap to cover any error's and also enough to build a smaller project in the future should I desire. I don't like the pressure of worrying if I'm going to make it with what i got. And, if you've shopped right, it won't likely be any cheaper or convienant to get than it is at this moment.

I built $4,000 dollars worth of commercial film racks for my employer for $2,000. I ordered double scrap, 300 amp arc welder and a O/A welding setup. I used the double scrap to make a jig to build their heavy duty shelves! I broke even but now had a garage full of scrape and welding gear They saved 1/2 of their money. Took one weekend for a rookie to accomplish it.



[This message has been edited by Your Old Dog (edited 01-13-2006).]

[Your Old Dog]

sorry, double post somehow...........

[This message has been edited by Your Old Dog (edited 01-13-2006).]