[TheForge] RE: Layout tools

[Bob Ehrenberger]

Justin,

I use CAD to figure out the deatils of a project. The more complex things
get the more details that need to be figured out.  You can do it with paper
and pencil but if a change is needed it gets pretty messy pretty fast.  If I
waite until I get into the shop to figure out the exact length of all the
pieces, it just moves the work from the computer to the shop and increases
the chance of making a mistake.  I may not have bought CAD just to do this
but I have it for another job so why not use it. (I also detail srtuctural
steel, when blacksmithing is slow and I can get the work)

I don't use CAD drawings for proposals because people like hand drawn
sketches. The CAD drawings are too steril (my CAD package doesn't have the
3D feature).

Robert Ehrenberger
Shelbyville, Mo.


---Original Message -----
This is really about blacksmithing. In the article about that very cool
railing (really great work...) in last Anvil's Ring were reproductions
of the drawings. I am not much with a pen, more sketches than
anything...I usually have a very clear idea in my mind of what I want
to make and often do architectural drawings of the place the piece will
go with important measurements so everything fits, but as often as not
the project develops at least a little as it goes along. The very few
commissions I've gotten have been ok with this, but I'm sure if I ever
get the big one or do corporate work they'll want to know more or less
exactly what they're getting.

So the questions are these: do most or all of you do detailed drawings
beforehand? Are these for the customer, or do they help you in the
process of the work? And how many of you use cad software to do them?
Is cad worth the effort and expense, or is it just cool toys?

Thanks,

JRF