It is important to have the patterns placed correctly on the wood so that the desired result may be reached. One of the things sought is the greatest possible strength in the parts sawed out. The grain of the wood should, therefore, run lengthwise of the wood where the parts are narrow. Another thing desired is the economical use of material. The patterns should, therefore, be so arranged on the wood that the outlines will match closely together and thus use up as nearly as possible all surface space on the board. Generally, it is advisable to place the larger patterns first, beginning near a corner of the board, and then fit in the smaller patterns on the intermediate spaces.

Where the drawings are not full size, the dimensions are shown in inches or fractions of an inch. Guided by the figures, the outlines of the object may be laid out directly on the wood by ruler, pencil and compasses. In laying out the different shapes on the wood, attention should be given to the direction of the grain of the wood, to have it run lengthwise the object, not crosswise.