Calculating Frames and Panels
During my seminar on frames and panels a couple of weeks ago, I mentioned a database program developed by a member of the Des Moines Woodworkers Association, who is also a regular at the Woodsmith Woodworking Seminars. He put together a program that makes it easy to calculate the dimensions for the rails and stiles of cabinet doors. It also helps you calculate the size of your panels.
The problem is, it’s an Excel file. This is an expensive program that most of us with personal computers at home don’t have. But, there is an alternative.
Last weekend, after watching the frame and panel podcast, a viewer named Kari contacted me about a good freeware download that allows you to open Excel files without having to spend lots of money.
In the email, Kari said: “…I just wanted to bring to your attention that yes, one does need a program to read and manipulate an excel file, but it doesn’t have to be the expensive one. The office suite I use is from OpenOffice.org and it is compatible with all other major office suites. The product is free to download, use, and distribute. Thanks Kari for the heads up.