Reading Workshop Drawings

Most projects within the online course include workshop drawings showing the dimensions, proportions and construction details needed to build each project.

These drawings are intentionally straightforward and are designed to be used alongside the video tutorials. No CAD experience is required and you are not expected to create drawings yourself.

Understanding Our Workshop Drawings

The workshop drawings used throughout the course are designed to communicate dimensions, proportions and construction details as clearly as possible.

Most projects are shown using a combination of:

Front Elevation – looking directly at the front of the project
Side Elevation – looking directly at one side
Plan View – looking down from above

Together these views show the height, width, depth and layout of the project.

You do not need CAD knowledge or formal technical drawing experience to use these drawings. They are simply a practical reference used alongside the video tutorials.

Example Workshop Drawing

The drawing below is taken from the Mitred Dovetailed Bookend project. It demonstrates the typical style of workshop drawing used throughout the course.

Front elevation showing overall height and width
Side elevation showing depth and construction details
Plan view showing the layout from above
Dimensions shown directly in millimetres
Important construction details clearly identified where required

Mitred Dovetailed Bookend Workshop Drawing

Click or tap the image to view it full size.

Understanding The Views

Front Elevation

Usually shows the overall width and height of the piece, together with visible construction details such as rails, stiles, doors, drawers and panels.

Side Elevation

Shows the depth of the piece and often clarifies details that are not visible from the front.

Plan View

Looking directly down from above. This view is commonly used to show widths, spacing and component locations.

Reading Dimensions

Dimensions throughout the course are generally shown in millimetres (mm).

Drawings normally include:

Overall height
Overall width
Overall depth
Component thicknesses where required
Locations of joinery or important features

Always use the written dimensions shown on the drawing. Do not attempt to measure directly from your screen or from a printed copy.

Component Dimensions

Drawings often include dimensions for individual components or a cutting list. These dimensions refer to the finished size of the part.

In practice, most furniture makers prepare stock slightly oversized before bringing components to their final dimensions during the build.

Joinery Information

Workshop drawings are intended to communicate the size and position of components and joinery rather than provide step-by-step construction instructions.

The accompanying video tutorials demonstrate the methods, techniques and sequence used to build each project.

The drawings and videos should therefore be used together throughout the build.

Do I Need CAD Experience?

No.

The course does not require any CAD software knowledge and you are not expected to create technical drawings.

The drawings simply provide a clear and efficient way of communicating dimensions, proportions and construction details.

Using Drawings Alongside The Tutorials

Most students find it helpful to watch a section of the tutorial first and then refer to the drawing when preparing components and checking dimensions.

This mirrors professional furniture making practice, where drawings and practical instruction are used together throughout a project.

Adapting Dimensions To Suit Your Timber

Project dimensions shown in the drawings are intended as guides rather than fixed requirements. Adapting projects to suit available timber sizes, tooling and personal preferences is encouraged and forms part of the learning process.

For example, if a project is shown using 20mm square stock but your local supplier only stocks 25mm square material, it is often perfectly reasonable to adjust the design accordingly.

When making changes, remember that altering one dimension may affect others elsewhere in the drawing. Component lengths, joinery positions, clearances and overall proportions may all need to be reviewed to ensure the project still works as intended.

If you decide to modify dimensions, it is good practice to make notes directly on a printed copy of the drawing or keep a record of your revised measurements before beginning the build.

A Note On Project Drawings

The workshop drawings are intended to support the tutorials rather than replace them.

While dimensions and construction details are shown on the drawings, the accompanying video tutorials demonstrate the techniques, order of operations and practical considerations involved in building each project.

Most members find it useful to keep the drawing open or printed while working through the videos.