03/06/2026
PART II - COMPONENT LAYOUT
Laying out the individual timber components for a new commission is one of the most consequential processes in furniture making, yet it’s treated by some as an afterthought. Well executed, it’s unlikely that anyone will notice. But done poorly, it can undermine months of work and ruin the composition of the piece.
There are competing forces when laying out the components. Economy - how do I get the parts I need with as little wastage as possible, avoiding any knots, shakes, sapwood and other nasties that may show through in the final piece. But timber tone and grain often changes dramatically from one end or side of a board to another. Grain orientation plays a huge role in timber strength, appearance and dimensional stability. The parts also need to be chosen in a way that promotes balance and symmetry in the finished work, as well as ensuring the mechanical properties are maximised.
I think most clients would be astonished to know how long I spend laying out parts. For a 4-board tabletop, there are over 6000 permutations for arrangement of the timber! Some of these rule themselves out quickly (too much change in coloration at the join, too little considerations to cupping), but even once the ABCD order of the boards has been decided, we’re only down to 256 combinations. So here is where I spend a LOT of time. Spinning a board top for bottom, flipping bottom to top, rearrange, rinse, repeat. There’s no such thing as perfect, but I’m finally getting quite good at knowing when the music should stop and the boards have their position.
The same process is true across all types of furniture that I make, the legs of a table, the centre panels of a cabinet. There are always choices and tradeoffs. And if you as a client don’t notice - thats ok - it means i’ve done my job.
Next up - Joinery
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