Feature 4 of 9
Workshop calculations
Equal spacing, divisions, angles, joints and shelf spans worked out for you, with no sums on scrap paper.
What it covers
- shelves and holes spaced evenly over a height
- a width split into equal parts, with the gaps taken off
- shelf-pin hole rows on the 32 mm system
- cut angles and piece lengths for frames and boxes with any number of sides
- the largest size that fits your stock, with the least waste
- spacing for dovetails, box joints and dowels
- a warning when a shelf span is too long for its material and load
- how much a solid wood panel moves across the grain between seasons
- how much oil, varnish or paint a project needs
- millimetres and inches, fractions included
Who it is for
Anyone who reaches for a calculator and a scrap of paper to work out spacing in the workshop.
Before and after
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Without PlotBase
3sums on paper
Shelves spaced by hand
Five 18 mm shelves in a 720 mm space: 5 × 18 = 90, then 720 − 90 = 630, then 630 ÷ 6 = 105.
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With PlotBase
0sums on paper
PlotBase works out the gaps
Type the space and the shelves. PlotBase gives six equal gaps of 105 mm.
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Without PlotBase:
A shelf sags under books a month laterWith PlotBase: A sag check before you build
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Without PlotBase:
An 8-sided frame 600 mm across the flats: the angle is easy, the length of each piece is notWith PlotBase: 22.5° and 248.5 mm per piece at the long point, worked out
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Without PlotBase:
The biggest top your stock allows, found by measuring and guessingWith PlotBase: The largest size that fits your stock, with the least waste
Other features
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Cut lists
Every part in one list, with size, grain, banding and allowances.
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Sheet layout
Parts placed on sheets and lengths, with the kerf taken off and offcuts kept.
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Cabinet design
Cabinets from templates, with doors, drawers, drilling and hardware worked out.
Be among the first to try PlotBase
Join the early access list. I will email you when the first version is ready.