Reddit reviews ASE-24 24" Straight Edge Aluminum Rule

Tools/Materials:

• straight edge metal ruler - http://www.amazon.com/Starrett-ASE-24-Anodized-Aluminum-Straight/dp/B002C29SG6
  
• couple of cheap razor knives - http://www.amazon.com/SKILCRAFT-MR-1097-Utility-Knife--18mm/dp/B00JWTQ25C
  
• a cutting surface ( you could use an old piece of cardboard or wood, but I use a cutting mat ) - http://www.amazon.com/DAFA-Professional-Self-Healing-Double-Sided-Introductory/dp/B00P6KPKB8
  
• Tacky Glue - http://www.amazon.com/ALEENES-15599-Purpose-Glue-8-Ounce/dp/B00178KLEY
  
• Sewing pins - http://www.amazon.com/Dritz-Quilters-Pins-4-Inch-Count/dp/B001UAJ776
  
• Foam core
  
  You find all of these supplies at Walmart.
  
  As far as an approach, for some games I've used existing plans (Castles of Burgundy, Descent), but others I haven't found plans or didn't like the plans others had.
  
  When creating my own plans I use the following process.
  
  
• Play the game a few times, determine what pieces are only used at setup and what pieces you need throughout the game. If there are pieces every player gets one of, or shares, etc.
  
• I group the pieces into logical sets based on the above conditions and try to visualize how they might fit in the box as a set of setup and in-game "trays"
  
• Then I cut a base out of my foam core the size of the bottom of the box. Warning, twice I've started my insert using the lid of the box and not the bottom and the pieces didn't fit!
  
• I layout my pieces on this base and decide how to sub-divide the base into the various "trays". Sometimes, like the player trays in this set I decide to make dual layer trays so I account for that.
  
• I then cut the base into bottoms for each tray.
  
• Cut sides to the right height based on the height of the box.
  
• With the sides cut I'll glue the sides to the base using the sewing pins to hold the pieces in place while the glue dries. Pins are like clamps for foam core.
  
• With that done I'll organize the pieces in each tray and create the necessary dividers. For cards and small tiles it's useful to leave gaps in the dividers so that you can get your fingers down into the tray when removing the pieces.
  
• Once that's done I make any upper level trays using the same process.
  
  Having good spacial awareness helps to visual how the components will fit. My insert for Agricola took forever to figure out how to fit the pieces in a useful way. That game is dense.

the factory edges on a sheet of plywood can be considered straight. Rip the long edges of a sheet of plywood off for the rails of a router flattening setup then rip the factory edged short ends off of the plywood to use as the vertical ribs of the router sled. Spring for a high grade plywood for this sort of thing, baltic birch or other cabinet grade plywood is a pleasure to work with.

Edit 2 more pieces of something straight can be used as winding sticks to make sure your rails when set up don't twist. I recommend a metal straight edge/ruler, these can be had cheaply here: http://www.amazon.com/Starrett-ASE-24-Anodized-Aluminum-Straight/dp/B002C29SG6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1414522871&sr=8-4&keywords=straight+edge

Sorry for the double up comment, but if you're really interested in a kit, here are each of the tool's they'll give you

Feeler Gauge

Allen Wrench Set (this is actually more comprehensive)

64th inch ruler

Straight Edge (For judging neck relief/bow)

Mini Screwdrivers

String Winder (with wire cutter)

Compare to $60 dollars

$100:(http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/Essential_Tool_Kits/Basic_Setup_Kit.html)


This actually seems like a solid deal, but you can get all of these at a hardware store for less and not pay for shipping and wait around for it.

You only need a mark for the beginning and the end of the line. Once those are marked, it's best to use a straight edge like this or this.

Bill was using a triangular scale which are really common in the engineering fields.

It is and it isn't, drafting is still taught in most schools as an introduction to CAD to understand the drawing standards. All the engineering programs I've seen stick with CAD or 3D modeling but architectural programs still like hand drawn models.