This document provides instructions for setting out joinery rods, which are detail drawings used to construct wood joinery items. It describes how to draw the rods on paper or plywood for clarity and stability. Dimensions should be accurate, sections drawn to show actual sizes, and the rod should be easy to interpret. The example shows setting out a window rod by first marking the height and width, then positioning moldings and other sections using scrap wood templates. Mortise and tenon joints are proportioned and cross-marked before preparing a cutting list. Additional slides demonstrate marking out stiles, rails, and sash joints in detail.

1. Setting Out Joiners Rods
“extracts from Practical Australian Carpentry”
M. S. Martin
Original 2005
Revised 2008

2. Setting Out Of Rods
• Set out rods are basically detail drawings for the
purpose of constructing joinery items
• These drawings can be on paper and used in the
workshop or
• Drawn onto a piece of plywood
• Sometimes ply is used for stability and paper over
laid on top for clarity
• Approximate size for a sample window 150mm –
200mm wide

3. Example Of Rod – Height &
Width

4. Points To Consider When Setting
Out A Rod
• Dimensions Accurate – any inaccuracies will carry
through to project
• Sections should always be drawn with the face of
the item facing the person setting out
• Sections drawn full size and show clearly actual
size of members
• The rod should be easy to interpret, remove any
set out lines
• A cutting list should accompany the rod

6. Making the Rod
• Straighten one edge and secure
rod to bench, overlaying 10-
15mm on bench
• All gauging is done from this
straight edge with pencil
• Squares or rule and forefinger
can be used
• Use actual section pieces to
help you set out
• Gauging and step by step on
following slides.

7. Gauging

8. Step By Step Setout Of Rod
• Mark off the overall height and gauge a line to
represent the interior face of the frame. Use short
lengths of the stock material, cut from scrap, as
templates to mark in the outline of each section.
• After the sill is marked, continue with the head,
first positioning the storm moulding and then
locating the head relative to it. Using short lengths
of sash stock, mark in the sash top and bottom
rails, and space the bars in between .

9. Step By Step Setout Of Rod
Continued
• Proportion the mortise-and-tenon joints,
mark in and cross the mortises.
• Follow a similar procedure with the
horizontal section, first setting off the width
and locating the storm mouldings, followed
by the other members.
• Finally prepare the cutting list.

10. Marking Out Stiles
• Read in conjunction with handout notes

11. Stiles In Pairs

12. Marking Out Stiles

13. Marking Out Rails

14. Sash Joints

15. Sash Joints Continued

16. Squaring Sash