Layout Convention - Do You Have a Preference?

Re: Layout Convention - Do You Have a Preference?

John Pappas

I use the triangle system with the rule that the triangle always points up, or away.

Re: Layout Convention - Do You Have a Preference?

Dave Bair

I've always labeled them: RF, LF, RR, LR as viewed from the top facing the rear.

Re: Layout Convention - Do You Have a Preference?

William Duffield

Up Up and Away! I guess we could call that the Superman Rule. I like it.

Re: Layout Convention - Do You Have a Preference?

Bruce McCrory

I'm inclined to "point" to face, or front.

Re: Layout Convention - Do You Have a Preference?

William Duffield

I've seen others use that convention, too. But, it has some disadvantages, especially if you are dyslexic or if English is not the first language of your journeyman. You may have to rotate one or more legs until the letters are right side up before you can arrange them in the right positions. Labeling them takes 20 strokes with the pencil instead of three. It takes a lot more concentration and focus (and maybe going and finding your reading glasses) to verify whether they are properly arranged.

Of course, there are other conventions that are much more problematic. i've seen them just numbered 1 through 4. Should they be arranged:

1 2 1 2 4 3 1 4

4 3 3 4 1 2 2 3

or in an even yet different order?

Why not just ∆ ?

Re: Layout Convention - Do You Have a Preference?

Jim Dillon

William, I use your suggested triangle approach plus what Dave suggested: RF,LF,RR,LR as I am facing the front of the "table" looking down. Seems to work. Jim

Re: Layout Convention - Do You Have a Preference?

Barry Irby

I have tried the triangle but find it confusing. I label them RF, LF etc., but reinforce that with lots of chalk and Magic Marker. I put a black line on the top on the edges that get morticed. I mark the mortices with chalk and tapers with another color of chalk. Then I basically cut away the chalk. Obviously the chalk is there for orientation only, not accuracy. Most of my mortices these days are done with a DF 500 Domino.

(My Writing is so bad I have to be really careful with the label because RF starts looking like RR.)

Re: Layout Convention - Do You Have a Preference?

Virgil Johnson

If I am using the triangle to mark table legs I make the triangle point toward the back of the table and I use two lines on the right side of the triangle. I know the two marks are always on the right when facing the front of the table. I use the same method for marking drawer sides. The two marks on the right side indicated the back of the drawer with the triangle point away from me.

Re: Layout Convention - Do You Have a Preference?

Bill Houghton, Sebastopol, CA

I'm not sure it matters, as long as you know which orientation you use. I use an arrow for certain layouts, and it always means "up," reflecting my optimistic attitude toward life.

Re: Layout Convention - Do You Have a Preference?

AZ in Colorado Springs

Haven't read other replies, so this may be redundant.

In the case of table legs, I group them as you pictured, then label them NE, NW, SE, SW, as if I was standing in front of the table. The markings go on the top end of the legs. That tells me which part goes at which corner, and in what orientation (which sides face outward and inward). Stretchers and aprons are labeled at each end with the corner it connects to, and I make these notations on blue tape, on the inside face.

In this way I can keep straight the joinery -- say the legs are 2" x 2" and the 3/4" thick aprons will have an 1/8" reveal. It's easy to see where to put the offset mortise in the leg so it's nearer the outer edge. And if the tenon is similarly offset, it's easy to keep track of where to locate it.

For frames of frame and panel construction, this method won't work. Those get labelled using blue masking tape.