LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner

Golden Mean

3K views 22 replies 21 participants last post by  naperville 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I am just curious as to how many of you take the "Golden Section" or Fibonacci series into account when designing new pieces. A lot of times I have "eyeballed" what looked good to me, and after the fact the ratios come really close to .618 or 1.618 or a corresponding Fibonacci number for drawer sizes, shelving spacing, & etc. Please don't get me wrong, I am not trying to be highbrow, but if you're building something quick & easy, down & dirty, I think a seasoned eyeball, a Stanley tape, and a #2 pencil will give you what you want as quick as a calculator. Am I wrong? As always, bbqking
 
#3 ·
As part of the design process, I think it is important to check your proportions against the Golden Mean, or Fibonacci or what ever you call it. The reason it exists at all is because it is pleasing to the eye. so which came first, the chicken or the egg?
 
#6 ·
What I think looks great might not match someone else view. But, the golden mean at least it matches historical views.
 
#7 ·
man i wish I understood what you were talking about… So I guess no I don't or maybe I do and don't know it… should I see a doctor, do I need take penacillin or something for a case of Fibonacci?
 
#13 ·
I like approximations. They are easier to remember than the real thing. Here's an approximation I use for the golden ratio…

A golden rectangle has sides with a ratio close to 5:8

Here is the exact ratio…

1:(1+sqrt(5))/2 or 1:1.168034 or 5:8.09017
 
#20 ·
I used to be one of those guys that tried to look at history as a teaching tool (and for the most part it is). But, in the work I'm doing now and the people I've been working with, I've discovered that the real artisans just make stuff (I call it organic design.) I really appreciate the things they do. A machine can always make something precise better than a human. I don't have a whole lot of interest in training myself to be like a machine. So, I've started to look at things as organic and more about why not try this or that instead of reiterating what's been done because that's the way it's always been done. Making a joint that is strong because over time people figured it out is alot different than following a rule that has to do with asthetics only.

I used to think things always had to be symetrical and stuff…then I asked myself….why? Why do they have to be symetrical?

There's nothing wrong with using the golden whatever…it certainly has it's place. But, I think I will enjoy just creating and seeing what happens more than following certain rules. Just a shift in what or how my life goes.
 
#22 ·
Wood magazine had an article awhile back on how to make and use a Fibonacci Gauge. I used it when I designed my new bookcases…man, they look like hell on paper. So I tossed the gauge onto a nail on the shop wall and there it remains. But it's worth checking out if anything for the history alone. One of those "Old Time" shop tools.
 
#23 ·
bbqking,
After you hear a song so many times, you learn the words, almost subconciously. Like that tune you can't get out of your head. The Golden Mean is no different. Unless you grew up in a cave or Berwyn, IL, you have been exposed to these proportions your whole life. You should be able to rougly guestimate the proportions, or at the least be able to pick out the work of people who are from Berwyn. (g)

Tom
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top