Thread: Should Plans and info be free or not ??

Originally Posted by Bloubull

Hi All

As a newbie I have been looking around for plans and documents on various aspects of woodworking. However every plan or document I get on the NET (that is advertised as free I may add) I need to pay for it in $ US. To put it in perspective a plan of $10 is round about R 70. This amount of cash usually pays for my bread and milk for two weeks.

So I am putting out a far call on any good hearted woodworker out there to please share some plans and documents with us poor souls out in the world.
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Regards
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Bloubull

Welcome Bloubull

I have just noticed our name being an Aussie site mate your gonna cop heaps so be warned.

There are heaps of free plans even from the USA.
This site has many as well or links to just go through the archives do a search, depands on what your after in particular.
Mind I have never come across any Free Plans from Durban yet either.

Ray


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Plan's what are they? I find making things up as I go much more fun than using plans. That way I get to make at least 5 trips to the hardware store instead of 1!

Originally Posted by BobL

That way I have to make at least 5 trips to the hardware store instead of 1!

G'day BobL,

Your plans are good, mine always mean a lot more trips than that, worse when it's a 14km round trip for a few screws - maybe I need to plan better.

I reckon same as BobL. On the very rare ocassions that I use a plan I deviate from it anyhow.

I normally form an idea in my head, sketch it out on paper and take some measurements so that everything is in proportion - even then the job often gets changed as it progresses.

Failing that why not tell us what you wish to build and I bet you there are a plethora of ideas posted. We all have better ideas than anyone else!

Denn

Count me in. Only the main measurements (and the main purpose and possibly the stock) are known, but not much more in the beginning of fun.

I must say I have collected quite large archive of plans in my folders, but they are kept in the name of The Spirit of Woodworking. In reality, they are permanently donated to The Great Whateverness, my favourite of The Ghosts of Leisure.

sumu

There's an absolute tonne of free woodworking plans out there - online, pdfs etc etc.

Not sure what sites you've been visiting, but have another look - the web is inundated with (genuinely) free woodworking plans.

Originally Posted by Waldo

G'day BobL,

Your plans are good, mine always mean a lot more trips than that, worse when it's a 14km round trip for a few screws - maybe I need to plan better.

Nah - my plans are crap - I'm always going to HW/tool stores for some reason or other. Admittedly one does get pretty slack if one has several HW stores to choose from within 2 kms and a sheet load more within 5km. For example I'm finding I don't always measure things up before I go and buy. I then buy maybe 3 items around what I think will be the right size and bring back the ones that are not right. I must drive the people at the return counters nuts sometimes.

Come to think of it if I don't go to a hardware or tool store at least every 2/3 days I get somewhat anxious - is that a sign of a problem or a disorder? I find I don't need to buy anything just looking or buying something small like a bolt is fine. When I was away recently for 5 weeks and had to go cold turkey on this I eventually found myself wandering into any store that even half looked like a HW shop.

A lot of sites get a commission from directing you to 'pay' sites. Some don't, or pay for themselves with ads. Here are links to 2 fairly reliable sites - they have both pay and free plans - you just have to look carefully.

http://plans.the3house.com/index.php
this site has a link on the index to 'free plans only'

http://www.woodworkersworkshop.com/r...ex.php?cat=102
this links direct to the free plans page, they also have pay plans.

Bloubull, have you tried your local library? It is a big assumption that libraries in SA are like those in Australia, but my local library has a reasonably good collection of magazines with plans, books with plans, etc.

To your original question, though, I don't believe that plans SHOULD be free, because the creator is entitled to compensation for his efforts. That doesn't mean that plans MUST cost money - some generous people will always share their work - but let's not stop people earning a living where they may.

hey mate i found this website there all free and some look pretty interesting www.absolutelyfreeplans.com! bobl i dont think you have any problem at all! i have a joke with my mum bunnings is my church and when there catolougue comes out i call it my bible "frequent visits to the hard ware stores is very healthy"
jack

Hi Bull

I'm with Gags on this one, absolutely free plans is probably the best site. There are a heap of others, some may only be a cutting list or a single page assembly diagram, but hey the price is right.

You will find a lot of ideas from other members on this site, maybe not plans but you will certainly get some great ideas, then rough out your own plans.

Cheers

Beaver

Try here

Isn't the 11th Commandment , Thou shalt visit Bunnies ?

Nope... 11. Thou shall make what fits