How to Design Furniture Like an Engineer | My Design Process

[@waynekitt6770]

Nicely done, Jared. I am a retired musician and suffer the "ADD" affliction often found in musicians, so I very appreciate your common-sense and structured approach to how to plan my own woodworking. (I also know there is musical talent in your family - hence the very attractive baby grand piano that is obviously used on a regular basis.) Thank you for this video. I am a beginning woodworker and I follow handtool woodworking from Rex Krueger and beginning woodworking from Steve Ramsey. You have answered many of my own concerns about finally breaking out "on my own" without the concrete plans generated by someone with a great deal more experience. You have also gained a new subscriber. Thank you again.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thank you! Yes we are all musicians and the piano gets a lot of use by all of us! Hopefully i can provide some helpful insights for you.

[@paulallen5267]

More of your great content Jared. You have a real ability to take more complex information and turn it into understandable content. Adding a bit of your process and thoughts to projects and plans is so helpful. Keep up the great work.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks a lot! I'm glad it makes sense

[@fosteredwoodworks]

As a precast concrete structural engineer in my day job, I really appreciate and enjoyed this video! I have certainly done the same thing with 3D models, where I've spent too much time trying to design and get into the logistics. I also fall into the trap of spending too much time trying to over-engineer furniture as well. It's in our blood.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Yeah man, you gotta fight the urge!

[@SunshineSyl]

You make learning soooo fun & exciting! I was attempting to explain a few concepts to a non woodworker (like I’m all that -NOT) this morning; but struggled to find the words …then here you come! This video made me feel so understood on so many internal levels! Thanks!!!😊

[@johnmay6090]

Just found your channel and I'm impressed. I'm a retired engineer and what you have said resonates with me precisely. Thankyou. Good advice.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks! I'm glad it sounds familiar!

[@richs5422]

Nice. Risk Management is the next discipline I would add to this set. What can go wrong? How badly can it go wrong? Is it likely enough to go wrong that I need to worry about it? Feed the answers to these questions back into your requirements, resisting the urge to solve them immediately. That way, you don't have "ghost" requirements hidden in your risk management. Also, that way you can solve problems in the context of your other requirements, rather than as individual issues.

[@Erik_The_Viking]

Excellent video! I use a lot of engineering skills in my woodworking as well, along with plenty of math. This was a great overview. I've never heard of the 2.5D rule but I like it because it's easy to place fasteners too close to the edge, which can impact the strength of our projects.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Great! I hope that helps you in your designs!

[@bluetruckwoodworking3244]

Love the content. Glad to see a fellow engineer in this hobby!

[@EveningWoodworker]

I think there are quite a few of us!

[@matthewclark677]

Didnt know i could screenshot like that thanks for that and a little on designing.

[@EveningWoodworker]

No problem! I'm glad you learned something

[@BillCoale]

This was awesome! I've been looking forward to an episode like this ever since you mentioned in your first video that engineering is your day job. I was already familiar with the process cycle (although that was a great refresher and i enjoyed how you applied the woodworking examples), but I especially liked the specific tips like the 2.5 D for holes and the Sagulator resource is A-maz-ing! I can't wait for the sequel! Bring on the slide-rule!

[@EveningWoodworker]

Awesome! I love that you were anticipating this one. Thanks for sticking around!

[@1deerndingo]

Thank you. I struggle with the design process. I can visualise what I want to make and I have to wing it from there. I'll highlight this video and use it to keep me on track when I do my next project.

[@EveningWoodworker]

I'm glad it helped! Good luck on your next build!

[@petenelson8136]

Love your approach, and The Sagulator, what a great tip. I'm building a house and will be putting in some shelves to hold our canning jars. Last time I did this the shelves sagged a bit = not good, and I ended up putting a central support in. This time I'll use The Sagulator and dimension the lumber properly to insure it doesn't sag.

[@EveningWoodworker]

It's pretty handy! I use it on every shelf span I build.

[@AndrewSzeto]

Ya Jared! Mega fun! was great to meet ya at Makers Camp!

[@EveningWoodworker]

You too man! That was super fun!

[@WiscoWorkshop]

This video does a great job breaking down the process of designing and planning projects, I found it very helpful thank you for sharing!

[@EveningWoodworker]

Glad it was helpful!

[@daveyJ213]

Fantastic information; very inspiring and easy to understand. Thanks for posting.

[@David.M.]

Very practical advice. I find it quite useful, thanks.

[@tristankayne666]

Very informative video, sir. I don't know how I've never seen your channel before. I've been watching KZbinrs for about a year and a half now, and woodworking for about the same, and this is the first day I've run across your stuff. I like the fact that you're an engineer, because I can relate. Although I didn't actually follow through with it, that was my intended path in high school, and once you start thinking that way you never really stop. You've got some really good tips and methods, so thank you for that! To be honest, I don't usually comment, just like and/or subscribe. I was compelled to comment on this one because of the use of the Peanuts "adult voice" sound effect that you used while going in depth into an engineering explanation. For the average person, that would sound exactly like that, so I appreciate that. Good job!

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks man! I'm glad you found me... and yes that peanuts sound was an important part of my childhood!

[@marcaustin]

Great vid. I'm new'ish to building and want to construct an aquarium stand for a 75 gallon tank. Total weight = 725lbs. I know i could build it sturdy with 4x4 corners and such but i want it to look like a nicer piece of furniture. Wish me luck.

[@EveningWoodworker]

You can do it!

[@justinbanks2380]

Definitely would like a part two

[@peggy6326]

Great job building enthusiasm for the creative process. It can be frustrating to be overwhelmed with an idea.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Yes exactly!

[@justinbanks2380]

Also, useful info for creating/designing a project

[@jeffreycanfora1091]

Great explanations and walkthrough on the process and force load distribution. Will definitely use the sagulator, as much as I like trig. Beautiful bookcase there. I have to do a patio cover with ledger over a large slider and notch facia for rafters to gain overhead. The county regulation handout is nice for spans, length for board material, but doing a prototype is the difficult task I’m up against in ledger placement on the stucco of the house under the eves. Looking like I’ll have to start with columns and maybe even headers before I can get ledger height for rafter slope. On hoisting equipment I shoot for a 4:1 safety factor with an 8 ton bottle jack (which is overkill), but 2:1 as a minimum right? With the cable clamps, ironworkers say, never saddle a dead horse. Anyway, great video covering all the aspects in a short amount of time. 👍🏼

[@EveningWoodworker]

Yeah in some cases the safety factor has gotta be much higher... that's probably a good idea!

[@justinbanks2380]

That nerd cred intro! Love it! (Not an engineer, but have a CS degree and engineering friends, lol) Reminds me of those Intel commercials with 'our rockstars are not like your rockstars' lol

[@waynekitt6770]

BTW, I am looking forward to the next phase of this video!! 😊

[@marioschlebe9913]

Prinzipiell gehe ich genau so an meine Projekte. Ich bin allerdings vom Beruf Stahl- und Metallbauingenieur und muss sehr umdenken in Bezug auf Statik und Festigkeit. Zum Beispiel beim Randabstand von Bohrungen. 😁

[@DIYwithDennis]

Very interesting and informative video! Load, Sag, margin, all good stuff!! thanks

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks man!

[@texfire75]

I like that notebook with the margins around the grid. Could you tell me the brand/details?

[@EveningWoodworker]

I wish I knew the brand! It has very limited markings and the logo on the front is covered up by a sticker. Not sure what I'm going to do once I use it up.

[@thomlipiczky9021]

Very helpful! Thanks!

[@DJFreshMakes]

The top-heavy weight lifters caught me off guard in, of all things, a woodworking video. 🤣 I refer to them as flamingos that will blown over in a strong wind. That aside, thanks for the furniture design process advice. I've had the idea to make art deco style nightstands and a dresser for a couple years. I've got a good idea, but it's the "how to construct" part that has me lost. I recently got a joinery book from Tage Frid that I'm excited to go through as a break from all the online joinery fads. Keep up the good videos!

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks! Good luck on your builds!

[@sapelesteve]

Thanks for a very informative and useful video! And yes, do a follow up video! 👍👍

[@EveningWoodworker]

I've got more design principles to discuss!

[@paulhunt598]

There is a strong parallel correlation between engineers and nerds, because many nerdy people make very good engineers. I especially enjoy folk that bridge the divide between the extremes, such as nerdy engineers that are also craftsmen or artists. I am on the tradesman end of the spectrum and tend to scoff at the engineer that is buried in the concept of numbers, but cannot execute in the "real world". I have enough artist in my make up that I yield to execution and form before I analyze form, structure and function. Each characteristic and skill has its important place. Bridging the extremes is a fun place for me to operate. It is nice to know that you are trained and employed as an engineer, but you also find pleasure in developing tradesman skills. My employment and DIY budget and mindset inclines me towards a jack-of-all-trades. This allows me to dabble deeply in many trades, but limits me to master any trade exceedingly well. You laughed at yourself with the taped nerd glasses and pocket protector. Other trades are marked with equally quirky identifiers.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks for recognizing that... I've found that doing both desk work and tradesman work has helped me be a more well-rounded person. I can relate to a lot more people!

[@MrAnimal1971]

Very good tips.!!

[@TonyV_in_the_OC]

Great stuff. Thanks for posting useful, educational “stuff” for us woodworkers. This will help us design and execute better. Glad I found you…even if I’m old enuf to be your dad….LOL😅 keep up and posting more. I enjoy each installment.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks! I'm glad you're enjoying it... dad!

[@Pynefurnishings]

Great video!

[@craynecabinets]

I had you as engineer the first time I heard you say, "load path" on the Miter Saw station video! Love your content! If you do a Part 2, I nominate: datums (in layman's terms); critical dimensions; not-so-critical dimensions; the power of reveals - structurally and aesthetically; what you will and will NOT see in a final piece; and last-but-not-least Material Selection (e.g. solid wood vs engineered materials). But don't get tempted to shoot the whole video into those awesome spectacles....:)

[@EveningWoodworker]

Haha! Those are some great ideas... I'm writing those down!

[@jeanavsqz]

this was so helpful☺️

[@chrisp.76]

We need a resource for hardware ( screws and bolts) and the uses and loads it can take.

[@EveningWoodworker]

That would be handy. Some manufacturers publish that and some don't

[@fdort3971]

#TheEveningWoodworker Thanks for lessons! Here's a tip...I have gotten large flat squares of cardboard from Walmart for templates! When they have received a large pallet with multiple tiers of products they usually have large square sheets of cardboard in between for stability. They are free for the asking!

[@EveningWoodworker]

That's a great idea!

[@fdort3971]

Thanks!

[@neoVIVE]

Great content! New subscriber here (and student if I may)!

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks! Welcome aboard

[@am2dan]

I wish I'd done a mock-up or prototype of my most recent furniture build. I fully 3-D modeled it in Sketchup and printed various views, but in the final, real product I'm not quite happy with some of the proportions.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Yeah that's a tough one! Gotta make a cardboard prototype

[@philipripper1522]

Do you know of a good source of weight limits and specs for woods that includes things common in furniture, like spindle legs? I can work out the dynamic loads of a kid jumping on a bed, but I'm not sure on the sort of home-building-scale data avail for lumber applies to smaller scales or items. Any advice?

[@philipripper1522]

Like I can easily look up a douglas fir 4x4 and it's structural characteristics, but a half inch rod of cherry is not something I know how to look up

[@EveningWoodworker]

Yeah that would be great if something like that existed. I've wondered the same thing, but I think most people just over-design the furniture or break a few until they get it dialed in! Apart from the sagulator website, everything else is just intuition.

[@garynelles]

I do most of the same things you mention in this video Jared.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Sweet! Great minds think alike!

[@chocobasta6610]

Hello! im new here but i kinda wanted to ask if i should get a table saw first than other stuff, my garage turned into a nice little workshop!

[@EveningWoodworker]

Welcome aboard! The tablesaw is an important tool, but not necessarily the first tool you should buy. I made another video that lays out the tools you should start getting: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5vTnn6Nd5qfoLc Hopefully that helps!

[@magicworldbyjorg]

,a cool video keep up the great content.. Thank you……

[@stephenbozzone1116]

Jared, what is your day job? Are you a ME? I’m have my BSME from the University of Florida. Go Gators! Where did you go to school?

[@EveningWoodworker]

I am a mechanical engineer working in aerospace and went to BYU. This video probably seemed like very familiar concepts to you!

[@lincolndickerson1293]

This is a great video. I am am engineer as well. Thanks for sharing your perpectives.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Rawaanwar-xu7ec]

hi just i want to know what type of engineer are youlike civil or mechanical or elecrical or ....... and which engneering is near to wood working thank you man i like you videos

[@EveningWoodworker]

I'm mechanical engineer. Both mechanical and civil engineering are good foundations for woodworking!

[@justinbanks2380]

The talking technical and turning into Charlie Brown adult voice... 😂😂😂😂 (Although I'd actually really like to hear you go into it, but then I'm definitely a nerd and way too curious.) I definitely also realize that getting technical about something makes most people's eyes glaze over (happens to me far too often when i try to talk about things,)

[@therelaxingwoodshop7495]

Nice one

[@amentet]

Oh god.. I laugh so much with the calculations bit 😂

[@sugruma]

I wish to get a course that starts from the scratch

[@Dyma_Hakimufarik]

it feels like i watch civil engineering course

[@EveningWoodworker]

Haha, hopefully only the good ones, not the boring ones!

[@wilsonmatos6734]

I really wish you didnt mute that math out. I wanted to know!

[@EveningWoodworker]

Haha! Some people would get it, but many would just have their eyes glaze over!

[@ChristophHintze-l9y]

If it ain't on paper it don't exist/didn't happen. From an architectural/engineering technician/building drafter/designer.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Haha that's right!

[@balisticsquirel]

There is a process, or activity, or whatever we want to call it, known as "design". And there's nothing in the way of a person who practices the process of engineering from doing this "design" thing. But no, you cannot design like an engineer. Engineering is the activity of figuring out exactly how something should be done / constructed to make the engineered product the cheapest / best / most efficient / whatever the mandate. The engineer applies a bunch of knowledge (on physical principles; and avaialbility of materials; and more and more and more) to specify a blueprint. But that is often a blueprint of : 'how we're going to make the desired / requested / mandated "design" actually happen in the physical world'. A designer might consult an engineer. For instance to inform what the design could or couldn't be based off physical principles (say strength of the material, or which material to choose given strength requirements).The designer might consult themselves in this, if they happen to be an engineer. But at no point are they engineering a design. They're designing (something that may then need to get engineered). And maybe they're told "that just can't happen", or "you know, you don't need that much material in this part", in which case they might [need to] go back and re-consider the design. But they're not designing like an engineer (nor engineering a design, which i think some people might understand this as). Understanding the purpose; use case; client requirements; proportions; visual interest; prototyping; experiments - are all fundamentals of the design process. And not specific to design by or as an engineer. So we just don't need to call this an 'engineering design process' since it already has the simpler term of just the 'design process'. Now could we say "Learn some of what engineers learn, in order to build better furniture"? Hells yeah! Could even say " .. in order to be a better designer". Load path, statics and dynamics, etc.. Every designer should know about these concepts. Or wish they did. But i think that if the point is better understanding what it is we're doing when when we're designing furniture, or to be cognizant of what we're doing while we're doing it, then it's important to understand that fundamental disparity between what design is and what engineering is. And when one does, the thought of designing like an engineer is as non-sequitur as algorythming like a shoveler, or piloting like an aerospace welder, or welding like a pilot, or cooking like a farmer.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Sounds like you're an engineer too! Yes of course you can't replace an engineering degree or years of experience with one YT video, but I think getting people to think of engineering concepts when designing and building stuff can only help someone be a better designer... maybe not quite an engineer!

[@balisticsquirel]

@@EveningWoodworker Absolutely. And it's great to see a video sharing and promoting .. let's call it structural thinking. Thank you for that. But a tiny little thing like terminology can set in some viewer's brain an expectation of how things are, and that in turn maybe lose them years of mis-understanding their own approach. Particularly, not practicing the thing that design really is. So worth trying to make clear teh difference, and the 'setting' in which structural thinking sits.

[@tinysparky]

Please don't show my wife this video ... youtube algorithm... I have her believing cut 3 times then measure is the proper method....