[deleted]

I'm reminded of my father in laws practices. Measure twice, cut three times and then just shove it in place.

I modeled my house on SketchUp. So I can check the measurements when I'm at the DIY store with my phone .

I at least make a list and maybe a sketch.

I'm 24, i mostly work with wood and when i start on the pc i just get measurements that seem to fit. When i'm done, i go to my nrighbour who owns a sawmill and ask what kind of wood he has in stock. I'l change the size of my created pieces on the pc and then i'm pretty much ready to start. Now i know how much wood i need, where to cut it and drill holes and how to connect them. I taught it to myself, so it's not perfect, neither the computer work, nor the wood working but i learn a lot when i'm going at it!

That sounds about right

Is sketchUp easy to use? I'm thinking about to switch programms to be honest. Looking up measurements with your phones sounds quite good to me! Can you also simulate things in it? For example, push/pull on a drawer and check if it's stuck somewhere?

[removed]

I start with whatever paper I have handy. Most of the time inspiration strikes when I only have napkins. So its napkins, graph paper, add measurements, then pray my math is right.

Woodworker here. I go off the seat of my pants mostly.

It's extremely easy to use but very limited. It's good for mesurent. Forget about moving parts. It's very basic. Only advantage is you can move around and check mesure on your phone. Maybe Fusion 360 can do that since there's a phone version too .

Did you learn it that way or have you taught it yourself that way?

I see but still handy when it comes to selecting part sizes

I just use regular paper.

1. Figure out what I want this thing to be.
2. Measure the space
3. adjust plans to fit into space
4. calculate needed material for project
5. start project
6. Run into limits of laws of physics that won't let me do the idea as planned.
7. Adjust
8. Go to Menards for missing materials in Step 4.
9. GOTO 6
10. END

I built a square drop trailer completely off the top of my head. While it went well there's a few things I had to fix, however The time I would of taken to sketch it all up and do all the math for it still would of gone well over the time it took to fix That being said I'm very construction inclined with a good memory. For something small it's not a big deal but when there's alot of money being invested definitely plan it out.

It's always great to run into people who are also short on material, during the running project. Not very uplifting but at least you are not alone

Watch a YouTube video on keyboard shortcuts.

I get that, often there are just tiny things that cost you so much time, while just "go ahead and try" could have fixed it in a fraction of that time. You are blessed with such a memory!

I usually make a drawing a second grader would scoff at with measurements written next to the sides, then start cutting.

It doesnt work very well, but i do it anyways. I have fun, at least : D

Or sometimes you're over on supplies and have no idea why. "I have this entire case left, but all of my calculations say that I should have nothing left. Whyyyyyyy?"

Little bit of both

As soon as the idea jumps in my mind i draw the thing i want to build. Like the hanging book case idea i had

Took a mesuring tape. Marked the areas i want it to hang. Wrote down the lenght, width and depth of the case ect.

When it comes to easy diy projects that does not need power tools and heavy lifting i pretty much just jump on it and get creative and see if my happy little mistakes work out or not

I'm a paper and pencil guy. 30

I used to wing Arduino and ESP-based projects - just pull out the breadboard and start plugging. As my projects got more complex, well I found myself simply giving up on a lot of them because I would lose myself.

I put a bit more project management into it now, I'll start with a Google Slide kind of explaining the problem I'm trying to solve and the abstract solutions, then I prototype electronics, then model an enclosure based on the prototype's form factor, print it, test-fit, and look for corrections to make, documenting everything along the way on photo/video.

Rough line drawings with measurements is probably the easiest way to start IMO. Be it by paper, whiteboard or MS paint.

I am a very much older potter and sometimes woodworker. I sketch with pencil and paper for the ceramics, line drawing multiple perspectives and measured layout for wood. I have used a floorplan designer online for our house, but that was a one off. Have messed about with sketch up a bit for fun but not really to design anything.

Nice, i like that way but i never get myself to draw and size parts freehand. I'm too scared to draw something wrong and build some bizzarre van gogh like creations

His mistake was that you're meant to cut it LONGER on the 3rd cut.

That's the right mindset! A DIY is about having a good time anyway ^^

That's a creative and also quite useful attempt to get started! You mostly make easy things or complicated/big stuff too?

im also doing it mostly the blender way. first i figure out the needed functions and size constraints the thing needs to be and adhere to that while modeling around that in blender. then i either print or get a prototype going to see if i missed something. and to make sure ergonomics and whatnot are good if thats needed.

sketching on paper is a good way for me to brainstorm ideas when im not 100% sure about some given components(pcbs, hardware..), sizes, functions, looks.

my downfall happens when i pretty much locked in the design and it works, and then for some reason try to cram even more functions/extras into the thing. m, 33

edit: like this AirQuality monitor i‘m designing

I hate it but documenting circuits is the most useful and valuable thing you can have, with a breadboard and about 30 wires connected to idk how many components. Google slide is the alternayive to powerpoint right? I liked to work with powerpoint and also draw.io, very useful!

Yeah, i recently had this situation with multiple packs of screws... In the store i was like "yeah i'm gonna take those for that, then those and this size too for there" a week later when i was putting the stuff together i was wondering why i bought so many different screws...

On blender or sketchUp you mean?

I am 37 and have a background in engineering/drafting. I’m proficient with most design software one would use for DIY projects, but my favorite is a good ol’ graph paper notebook, mechanical pencil, and small quilting ruler. I’m very tactile and just enjoy putting a pen/pencil to paper, plus it’s way easier to make quick tweaks with an eraser than it is to fire up the laptop, wait for Windows to update (because it always fucking does), make the changes, print a new copy to work from, etc, etc.

I use AutoCAD for most stuff. I just find it super easy to get started in either 2D or 3D. Been getting into Fusion 360 for work, which is easy to get into considering it's in the Autodesk family so there's some familiarity there.

Only time I sketch anything by hand on paper is if I'm taking down measurements.

Same! I start with a blank piece of paper, a pencil, and maybe a straight edge. Make my sketch, write in lengths, buy supplies and get to it. I’m 40 btw

Your submission has been removed for one or more of the following reason(s):

• You are asking how to "get started" on a project.
• You are asking for a review of your overall plan for a project.
• You are asking what is the best method or approach to a project.
• You are asking whether or not you should do a project.
• You are asking for advice on what project you should make ("what can I make within my budget?")
• If you have a project in mind, please do some basic research on the matter, come up with your plan, then you can ask about a specific aspect of the project.

We want you to get the help you're looking for. If you have any of these questions, some places to get help are:

• The Getting Started thread at the top of the subreddit.

• Ask your question in our Discord server in the appropriate channel.
• You may also try other subreddits - /r/homeimprovement, /r/woodworking, /r/electronics or /r/findareddit to help you find a subreddit applicable to your question.

Please read our Full Sub Rules before resubmitting.

If you believe this was a mistake, please message the moderators.

• It is not question about a specific aspect of a project you are working on.
• You are asking for aesthetic advice (e.g. what colour drapes would look nice with your couch).
• You are asking if anyone else has ever built something or used a method.
• You are asking if a project is "easy".
• If you have a project in mind, please do some basic research on the matter, come up with your plan, then you can ask a question about a specific aspect of that project.
• If you have any of the questions above - please try using our Getting Started thread at the top of the subreddit.
• Ask your question in our Discord server in the appropriate channel.
• You may also try other subreddits - /r/homeimprovement, /r/woodworking, /r/whatisthisthing, /r/electronics or /r/findareddit to help you find a subreddit applicable to your question.

Please read our Full Sub Rules before resubmitting.

If you believe this was a mistake, please message the moderators.

###Do not respond to this comment - you will not receive a response.

I’m an architect, so I’m all about the planning. At least in the beginning. Once I get to a certain point I have it in my head what I want/need to do.

SketchUp. It doesn't take many test drawings to get down the ones you'll use most.

Last time I looked, there was still a free desktop install from 2017. It's all online now.

You 100% have to plan. If you don't you can either wind up with a machine that bottlenecks itself or mismatched parts. Everything should be complementary and more than capable of what you plan use it for. I also like to leave plenty of room for expansion and good ventilation.

Right there in that same boat @ 38, heh.

I can usually get an estimate of what i am looking for in my head, and im able to keep it/remember it with the paper, hahahahah