Isometric Drawing Basics: Sheet Metal Layout for Julian

This is a simple video showing one functional way to begin drawing a sheet metal fitting or piece of duct isometrically in freehand and not to scale. It is something that is easily accomplished and is meant to give viewers that are wanting to improve their skills in measuring sheet metal adaptions 'on site'. This is in no way a video intended for those with any degree of experience and is not the way it is taught in trade schools or union apprenticeship programs. Its primarily a way to help someone intimidated by the demands of an industry that will come in handy when thrown into a situation that seems a bit beyond their ability. Start off small and build on it. Place equipment to be most advantageous to you as an installer and service tech. Measure what you know to be accurate and work from that point...and remember that a big problem is just a series of smaller problems stacked into one. Solve the little problems one by one and soon you will surprise yourself at your abilities.
Bear in mind not everyone has the ability to pay for HVAC training nor is everyone afforded the opportunity to enter into a 3 to 5 year Union Apprenticeship training program. For those that can and do have that opportunity, good for you....in my estimation that is the best way to go. But there are many, many others that find themselves thrown into the workforce without that luxury. There are tons of guys in the field that are great service techs that have never been involved in the sheet metal side of things but are wanting to expand their base of abilities. On the other side, I have friends with 40 years experience in commercial service and startup that wouldn't even touch tin snips for love nor money. I put myself in the 'untrained hack' category when it comes to sheet metal layout as I for one have had no real formal training. What little I know was learned on the job starting out with a small one man shop as a helper during my HVAC training at the local community college. When I got a better paying job in the big city I wasn't asked if I could install a furnace or fabricate ductwork. In the mid '70's and at $5.50/hour it was expected of us. So it was trial by fire and I was thankful for my previous employer allowing me to stay after work and play with his bench top lockformer and ancient 8' brake to figure out how to use the machines using scrap metal scraps.
Everyone has to start somewhere and as a retired HVAC service tech, I feel it my responsibility to pass to the next generation what little knowledge I have with the major caveat: Try instead to learn the proper, correct and accepted way through an accredited program, be it trade school or apprenticeship program. But if you find yourself in the situation where it is sink or swim, do what is necessary to survive the industry...it is a great career choice and expanding your abilities will have the tendency to make you more successful. Consider the basics in this video to only provide you a momentary 'stepping stone' in the proper direction...and that direction is formal training. Doing it the hard way is tough.
This video is specifically for a young man named Julian that posed some specific questions that needed a bit of an additional 'visual' answer. Hopefully he will find this video and benefits from what little it contains.