Full-scale Drawing Plans for Woodworking

Here’s some expertise from Freddy Roman, professional furniture maker, on the use of full-size drawing plans in your woodworking. Even if you don’t have a background or experience in drafting, or the desire to draw in full size, it’s essential that you know the basic terms. Freddy not only explains those terms really well, but he also points out the practical usage for each major plan angle of a well-drafted project.

I selected imagery for each view from our newest line of products – large-scale plans (the next best thing to full-size). Don’t bother trying to piece the images together from this blog post. They are from different projects and are intended just to help define terms. Each plan, as sold, has multiple detailed views and sections and is printed in large format. Try them out!

–Dan Farnbach

Full-scale Drawing
by Freddy Roman

Drawing full scale allows me to get a sense of proportions and size of a piece. Also if there are any templates or patterns necessary, I can simply take them from the drawing. This wouldn’t be possible if I only had a sketch. Every full-scale drawing has at least three views – a front view, a side view and a plan view.

Example of a front view from one of our new large-scale project plans

The front view is how the piece will appear when standing in front of it. If the piece I’m drawing is symmetrical, then it isn’t necessary to draw the whole front – for what you see on the left of the centerline is exactly what appears on the right. Now there are exceptions to this rule, especially if I’m making an asymmetrical piece.

Example of a side view, also called a side elevation

The side view is where I get to see the depth of the piece, the location of joinery, and the opportunity for construction details that I may want to add.

Example of a plan view, also called a base plan

Lastly the plan view – this is the view that allows me to see overall dimensions, cross sections and joinery.