Practical Shop Math: Simple Solutions to Workshop Fractions, Formulas + Geometric Shapes

Fear not, workshop math is not something to be scared of or avoided; Practical Shop Math covers it all from the basic to the advanced.

By its very nature, woodworking requires a basic understanding of math. Various numbers, in the form of thickness, width, and length dimensions, are used to describe the physical size of a a woodworking project and its component parts. Inevitably, these dimensions –written as whole numbers, fractions, and decimals – must be added, subtracted, multiplied, and divided in order to cut and assemble the project.

Although math is an essential part of woodworking, a surprising number of crafters feel intimidated when working with decimals, fractions, geometry, and formula. Fear not; workshop math is not something to be scared of or avoided. Woodworking involves a lot of math and you’ll be at a disadvantage in the workshop if you don’t know or can’t remember how to do basic calculations. Even if you do know how to work with fractions, decimals, and geometric shapes, this tremendously handy and comprehensive guide from a Tom Begnal, a life-long woodworker and former editor at Fine Woodworking, Woodworker’s Journal, and ShopNotes, will increase your capabilities in the workshop many times over.

With Practical Shop Math, you'll discover simple, but non-condescending approaches for everything from adding fractions and decimals to laying out ellipses, octagons, and other shapes that will expand your design repertoire. In addition, Practical Shop Math focuses on the things that you think should be simple, but can drive you nuts: tasks such as enlarging grid patterns, determining miter angles for polygons, dividing angles and arcs, calculating board feet and the amount of finishes you need to complete a project, and so on. Included is a very useful trick for converting a furniture photo from a magazine or catalog into a dimensional drawing that you can use for building your next project. Practical Shop Math covers it all from the basic to the advanced.

In the end, if you sum up the benefits of this resourceful reference, it makes for a great addition to any workshop.

Tom Begnal is a life-long woodworker whose interest in the craft evolved into a full-time furniture business in northwestern Connecticut. He moved on to become the managing editor of The Woodworker's Journal magazine for more than fifteen years and eventually joined the editoral staff at Shopnotes in Des Moines, Iowa. His final stop was Fine Woodworking magazine where, among other things, he edited the Tools and Materials department. He has also written or edited woodworking and how-to books for several publishers including F+W Publications, McGraw-Hill, Rodale Press and Sterling Publishing. Retired, Tom still woodworks and lives in Connecticut.