Woodworking Shop

The USDA Wood Handbook is still one of the best public references for understanding the material itself. FreeCAD and OpenSCAD are useful because they turn plans and jigs into editable systems instead of fixed drawings.

The stack categories worth comparing here:
- project planning and cut list systems
- jigs and shop setup references
- finishing schedules and material notes

Open materials worth opening side by side:
- FreeCAD source: github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD
Open source parametric design software that is genuinely useful for plans and fixtures.
- OpenSCAD source: github.com/openscad/openscad
Excellent if you prefer a scriptable approach to jigs, spacers, and shop helpers.
- USDA Wood Handbook: fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/62200
A deeply useful public reference on wood properties, movement, and use.

Working documents and guides:
- Woodsmith plans library: woodsmithplans.com/
A reliable source for measured plans and build sequencing examples.
- SketchUp woodworking tutorials: sketchup.com/blog/en-US/tags/woodworking
Helpful when readers want to move from rough concept to accurate shop planning.

Cut list:

part,material,thickness,width,length,quantity,notes
leg,white oak,1.75,1.75,29,4,leave long until final fit
apron,white oak,0.75,4,18,2,mark grain direction
top,panel glue-up,0.875,20,48,1,flatten before final trim