Perhaps the most common question we are asked is:
"How do you enlarge or reduce woodworking patterns for use in other projects?"

Enlarging Patterns: Our woodworking patterns are all Full Size, but sometimes you may wish to make something (a piece of yard art for example) a bit larger or smaller or to alter a pattern for a specific project. (For example, you may wish to reduce and simplify a scroll saw patterns to use as a 'glue-on' decoration for a bookend or similar.) The easiest way to enlarge or reduce a woodworking pattern is to use a photocopier or your computer scanner and printer. You are limited to the size of paper that these devices can handle (see below), but it's a simple way to enlarge or reduce woodcraft patterns.

  An old but very reliable way to transfer woodworking patterns too large for copiers and printers is to use the grid method. Basically, this is transferring points on the pattern to a larger grid if you are enlarging or a smaller grid if you are reducing. (*See Below) The closer the grid lines, the more accurate the reproduction. You may use graph paper for small designs or layout a grid on paper for larger projects. If you do a lot of enlarging, make five or six different sizes of grids on clear mylar which may be laid over the pattern to vary the size and accuracy of the transfer as you wish without redrawing grid lines for each pattern.

  For our example we, want to enlarge the approximate 2" tall letter at left (graphics are not actual size) to a 4" tall letter for a large sign. We transfer the pattern to a piece of graph paper with 1/4" squares and mark all the points where the letter intersects the grid -Marked in Red
Note: To increase accuracy you can approximate points between the grid lines or if the figure is very detailed, use a grid with more lines.

  Then, draw a grid with 1/2" squares which will double the pattern in size. (Go 3/4" squares to enlarge 3 times, 1" squares for four times, etc.) Mark the corresponding points on the larger grid and connect the points with a smooth line. You may have to approximate a few points that don't fall on the grid to get an accurate shape or add additional lines between the existing grid lines to increase the accuracy of the details, but it is not difficult and works very well for any size patterns.
While this method does take time, it can be extremely accurate and can enlarge or reduce to an almost infinite number of sizes, simply by varying grid size!

There's plenty more tips, techniques and woodworking patterns in the Pattern Bin

PATTERN TIP OF THE MONTH:   Permanent Patterns - If you are making a lot of a particular design, we recommend the use of permanent patterns! This is simply a pattern transferred to thin hardboard, luan, a crylic sheet or similar and cut out. These permanent patterns may then be traced on the stock without any wear and tear to the pattern and are especially handy when doing small production runs. We have also found that these permanent patterns are not mistakenly thrown away or ruined with an accidental spill nearly as often as paper patterns and in fact, for some projects, we still use the original patterns that were cut out over 25 years ago!
Access more handy tips all of our woodcraft patterns on our jam-packed Pattern Bin CD.

If you sell your work:  FREE PROMOTIONAL PROJECT
Do you have a woodworking business? Here's a simple project from 1/4" hardwood scraps to help you spread the word! It's an attractive holder for your business cards so you may pass them out for other businesses to place on a counter, shelf, etc.

Business Card Holder
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