Stock library
The stock library, labelled Stock and cutting setup in Settings, is SawWise's local database of material sizes it may assign to parts and use in plans. It describes dimensions, not live supplier inventory or prices.
Timber stock
Each timber entry has:
- A name and category.
- A physical thickness and width, together forming the cross-section.
- One or more available purchase lengths.
- A Length for plans used by current calculations.
- A metric or imperial source unit.
SawWise compares a part's smaller dimensions with physical thickness and width, then treats its longest dimension as the cut length. Use the finished physical size you expect to receive rather than just the nominal name on the rack.
For example, a board sold under a nominal label may be smaller after planing. The stock card can show a nominal description, but planning uses the displayed physical dimensions.
How it works: Changing Length for plans replaces that timber entry's preset length choices with the single length you enter. This is useful when your supplier only has one size available.
Sheet stock
Each sheet entry describes:
- Material: plywood, MDF, OSB, chipboard, or Generic sheet.
- Physical thickness.
- Physical length and width.
- Metric or imperial source unit.
Generic sheet is handy when the model does not name a material. Before building, swap it for the plywood, MDF, OSB, chipboard, or other sheet that suits the job.
Built-in and custom stock
Built-in entries are useful starting sizes. Stock varies between suppliers, so add a custom entry when your local options differ.
Use Add timber or Add sheet when your material is not represented. Custom entries are marked My stock, stored in this browser, and available to every project using the same local settings. A custom sheet is a standalone size.
To add timber:
- Enter a useful Name.
- Enter physical Thickness, Width, and Length.
- Select Add timber.
To add a sheet:
- Enter a Name and Material.
- Enter physical Thickness, Width, and Length.
- Select Add sheet.
Finding stock
Search by name or size, then narrow the list with filters:
| Filter | Timber | Sheets |
|---|---|---|
| Units | My units, All units, Metric, Imperial | Same |
| Source | All stock, Built-in, My stock | Same |
| Category | CLS, C16, C24, PSE/planed, PAR, other | Material type |
Filters only change what is visible in Settings. They do not remove hidden entries from the stock database or from part-assignment choices.
Full and linked half sheets
Built-in sheet families can include a Full sheet plus linked Half length and Half width variants. In a project's Sheets tab, choosing a half-sheet preference asks SawWise to use that linked variant.
SawWise uses the full purchase sheet when the linked half size is unavailable or a panel is too large for it. The plan displays Full sheets required and explains what happened.
Custom sheets are standalone sizes and are not automatically linked into full/half families. Assigning a particular sheet stock directly to a part is an exact choice and can take priority over the general project sheet-size preference.
Set up your stock
Before planning, check:
- The finished timber cross-section and available lengths.
- The sheet material, thickness, length, and width.
- Any extra material you want for trimming or damaged edges.
- Part assignments after adding or changing stock.
Tip: Configure stock before confirming many part suggestions. A missing physical size often causes avoidable weak matches or unknown parts.
Reset defaults restores the built-in stock and cutting settings. Project-specific choices are kept, so you can update any that referred to stock you removed.