Appreciation post: Sketching out my projects first changed everything...

I forced myself to draw simple plans before any build... it cuts down on mistakes, but some friends say it kills the fun of just diving in. Where do you stand on planning vs. winging it?

3 comments

3 Comments

ray_park1mo ago

Planning just adds extra steps before the real fun begins. I love the thrill of figuring things out as I go, even if it means a few extra cuts. Mistakes are part of the process and make the end result more personal.

johnson.adam15d ago

But what if the plan IS part of the fun? For me, that first sketch is where the puzzle gets solved, so the building part goes smooth. It just feels better to fix mistakes on paper first.

victor_hill701mo ago

Yeah the "kills the fun" part is where I totally disagree... for me the fun is in the solving. Like last week I sketched a shelf unit, saw a problem with the leg spacing, and fixed it on paper instead of with a saw in my hand. That felt great. Half the time I change the plan midway anyway, but starting with one gives me a place to jump from. It's way more satisfying to see the thing in my head get built right.