Why I chose Alibre Design
Alibre Design
To fully answer why I chose Alibre Design I should probably give you some of my background with CAD/CAM systems. I started out about 20 years ago designing plastic injection molds and programming CNC machines to cut these same molds. The CAD systems that I have used over the years have always been considered very high end systems.
I currently used Unigraphics NX at my day job. A single “bare bones” installation of NX will cost somewhere around $5,000. On top of that, we add in assembly functionality, drafting functionality, and a mold design add-on. This all adds up to about $20,000 for a single installation. These systems that I have been using professionally are very high end, very powerful, and quite easy to use.
When I decided to look for a CAD system to use for Maple Grove Woodworks projects, I realized that I was quite spoiled (more…)
Workshop Design #4
Front View (Click for larger view)
Here is a quick update of where I am on the workshop design. If you remember from my first article, the footings and frost wall already exist so I cannot modify anything with them, but every thing else is fair game.
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Mary Kay Give Away Display
Mary Kay Give Away Display
A couple of years ago, I had a client who sold Mary Kay cosmetics. She wanted me to build her a display that she could place near the cash registers at local businesses. People could fill out an entry form and place it inside the display in order to win prizes.
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Workshop Design #2
Before I get into the nitty gritty of the workshop design, I need to pause and make list of what features I really want my workshop to have. This will start out as a “wish list”, but I am sure I will have to pare it down later on due to cost. I figure that if I design it the way I would really want it, I can always add some of the items later on down the road if I can’t afford them right away.
The first thing I want to consider is the overall style of the building. I live out in the country surrounded by farms and fields. I have always liked the look of old center aisle horse barns and that is what I would like my shop to resemble. Plus, the design gives me the opportunity to have a small second floor where I can have either an office or extra storage. The horse barn look is both aesthetically pleasing to its surroundings and very practical for use as a workshop. (more…)
Workshop Design #1
When I first start woodworking, my wife and I lived in a two story house with a very small detached garage. The garage was actually not very suitable for a workshop, at least not without a lot more work than I was willing to put into it. Besides that, I didn’t want that much money sitting in the garage in that particular neighborhood. Therefore my workshop was in the unfinished basement of the house. It would have made Matt proud. (more…)
