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Thanks all for the nice comments, i really appreciate them. I hope to start posting the blog series later today for anyone interested in more detail.
Now to answer LBD’s questions…
I use SketchUp Make 2017, and you did ask me. 😁 Maybe my model contains some dodgy geometry that causes the problems in converter 3D Warehouse runs on my uploaded model.
I don’t use a cut list plugin. I lay out all the pieces manually. Because all my parts are components, I just drag them into place, rotate them so they’re flat, and arrange them on board outlines. That way I can take my cut sheets to the lumberyard so I buy the right amount of lumber. The yard is 45 minutes away and open only Friday and Saturday, so I can’t easily run out and buy more material if I buy too little.
I just drew the bolts and nuts manually. My threads aren’t real. I just drew a 3/16” wide rectangle with some teeth on the end of one side and revolved it with the Follow Me tool to create a 3/8” diameter cylinder that resembles a threaded bolt shaft. For screw heads on the piano hinges, I just drew rings and plus signs and pushed them in a hair. That plugin you mentioned looks useful, though.
You’re right about the outfeed thing. I need a proper outfeed table. Usually, I use a roller stand behind the table. That doesn’t work very well for large panels (like those on the tabletops here). For those cuts, it’s just nice to have something to keep the cut panel from falling to the floor, so it’s okay if the makeshift table sits a quarter inch or so lower.
Now to answer LBD’s questions…
I use SketchUp Make 2017, and you did ask me. 😁 Maybe my model contains some dodgy geometry that causes the problems in converter 3D Warehouse runs on my uploaded model.
I don’t use a cut list plugin. I lay out all the pieces manually. Because all my parts are components, I just drag them into place, rotate them so they’re flat, and arrange them on board outlines. That way I can take my cut sheets to the lumberyard so I buy the right amount of lumber. The yard is 45 minutes away and open only Friday and Saturday, so I can’t easily run out and buy more material if I buy too little.
I just drew the bolts and nuts manually. My threads aren’t real. I just drew a 3/16” wide rectangle with some teeth on the end of one side and revolved it with the Follow Me tool to create a 3/8” diameter cylinder that resembles a threaded bolt shaft. For screw heads on the piano hinges, I just drew rings and plus signs and pushed them in a hair. That plugin you mentioned looks useful, though.
You’re right about the outfeed thing. I need a proper outfeed table. Usually, I use a roller stand behind the table. That doesn’t work very well for large panels (like those on the tabletops here). For those cuts, it’s just nice to have something to keep the cut panel from falling to the floor, so it’s okay if the makeshift table sits a quarter inch or so lower.
