I have been busy working on making things more difficult yet again. I am finishing up my stairs, and instead of doing things like the finish carps do I thought I would use M&T joints instead of lots of metal fasteners. I have some pretty nice equipment to speed things up, but after listening to some of the discussions from the Hand tool gurus I thought I would use this project to improve my skills with hand tools (not all parts, but many). The straight railing segments were not too hard since I prepared a detailed plan with as-built dimensions and I stuck to it, but now I am onto the angled parts. I spent the last few nights working out some details for the angled parts and did some test pieces. The test parts fit well and I was pretty happy. So I take the test part to show to some friends only to get a glance and that look of “ok, so whats the big deal.” Even got the question, “did you glue that (tenon) on?” Do you ever stop and wonder why do I make my projects so difficult?
Brad
Edited 3/26/2009 2:34 pm ET by brad805
Replies
Oh, I thought you were asking about using hand tools. But now that you've edited to ask about making things difficult, I dunno. I try to do the opposite.
Edited 3/26/2009 2:49 pm ET by Samson
Very true, but I sure do wonder sometimes. Was the trait from my father a blessing or a curse? It seems to be getting worse the more projects I complete. I am only 40 now, but the time I get to retirement my projects may last years (or worse) instead of months.
I have seen a few of your project pics, and I can see you add many details that definetly make life more difficult. Very nice touches mind you, but I have a sneaky suspicion some take many take hours to complete. Those M&T joints yesterday with the inlays seem not to be an "off the shelf" item:)
Brad
I didn't say I don't do things that are challenging. ;-) I do those either because they are fun or because I think it will improve the product.
You are kind regarding my efforts. Those through tenons are wedged with bloodwood - there is no inlay (though you're not the first person to think it was inlay).
Wedged tenon, why didnt I think of that and not incredibly difficult. Kinda obvious after you mentioned. I was most impressed by the cleaness of the cuts.
Knots, aka "the woodworker support group."
Do you ever stop and wonder why do I make my projects so difficult?
Because we can.
DustyMc
So I take the test part to show to some friends only to get a glance and that look of "ok, so whats the big deal."
I would send then away with a cheep bottle of wine!
Maybe I will pickup some cheapo wine. Good thing it does not go bad:) I wasnt insulted by my friends reply, she just didnt understand. Honestly there are many times I wish my projects would be done and over already.
Brad
"Honestly there are many times I wish my projects would be done and over already."I hear you. I enjoy working on several projects at the same time, with at least one which I am really driven to do. Yesterday, I built a bench, mostly for fun. I also worked on a demilune table, sharpened some tools, and did some never-ending cleanup. With many things on the go and no urgency on any, I am free to switch tasks when I get tired of working on one or am waiting for glue to dry. It keeps me interested and I get variety (it's fun to spend 6 hours carving, but you'll sure feel it the next day!)Chris @ http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com(soon to be http://www.flairwoodworks.com)
- Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
I wasnt insulted by my friends reply, she just didnt understand.
I hear that! I understand that!
My wife was the most amazing woman on the planet.. I still love her ALOT.. She put up with me but I am sure she NEVER understood me! Or I her!
brad, my anwser would be a loud NO, if it is not a challenge I have little drive to do it. yet I do have to listen to others tell me things like-its not a peice of furniture, it does'nt have to be perfect ,when I am building stairs or the like. My awnser is always the same if you drop quilty because someone is cheap or in a big rush,your furniture will suffer because cutting corners is fine for some. But for me it is a sickness that just keep spreading. to me the best thing about working is that I will continue to learn until the day I die.Difficult just means more reward in the end.
Dan the woodbug
Because we can
Greg
•••••••
Exo 35:30-35
I strive to do it the best way I know how rather than how I might want to. At least when it's a work day.
".....ok, so whats the big deal?"
Exactly the reason that I don't bother with dovetailed drawer boxes! Customers think that they're pretty, but aren't interested in spending extra money for something that can only be seen if the drawer is opened - and then is probably ignored. - lol
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled