Replies

1. 
   bones | Mar 15, 2009 05:44pm | #1

   Happy birthday to your mom! I lost mine 13 years ago and still think of her fondly  often.  I hear you about the correctios.  Many of design changes have come from fubar's.  I once shorted a cut a 1/4" on a critical piece that I had no more stock of.  Simple solution, project just got adjusted on all measurements 1/4"  problem solved. 

   Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases:
   If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it.
   And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
   
2. 
   ChristopherL | Mar 16, 2009 02:47pm | #2

   I was thinking along similar lines this week as I was making drawers.  I always begin with the thought "These will be perfect.  Every dovetail will slide together effortlessly and I will be content."  Truth be told, I don't think I've ever made a drawer that is "perfect" -- I guess it is just a matter of degrees.  Whenever someone is happy with a piece I make I always think "Ah, if you only knew what happened along the way."

   There was an interesting entry in the Guild of Vermont Furniture Makers blog about someone doing an informal retrospective of his work (35 years).  He explains that he brought together the pieces that he was "least ashamed of" -- maybe this is a common feeling about our work.

   I guess furniture makers strive for perfection, but we keep ourselves sane with a bag of tricks that allow us to keep our dignity

   Chris 

1. 
   oldusty | Mar 16, 2009 05:00pm | #3

     That is funny but true about striving for perfection , when a client sees the piece as a rule they are happy , when I look at the piece I look at and think about any flaws or other undesirables that may exist that only I know of .

       Some pieces come out less perfect then others

             " how good we are is how good we fix our mistakes "

             regards   dusty

2. 
   Samson | Mar 16, 2009 05:08pm | #4

   Good post. 

   I think the struggle is what makes it so rewarding when you succeed. 

   I've found over time that my methods have evolved in directions that allow me the most possible room for recoverable error.  I rarely measure, and instead use direct marking from existing parts or story sticks.  I use planes and other tools that allow me to sneak up on fits or clean up less than perfect fits.  Inevitably there are still critical operations where you have to hit your marks without a net, but if you know where those are, you can put extra effort or time in there (i.e., slow down around those curves, so to speak).  It's all still an effort, but a less frustrating one.

1. 
   ChristopherL | Mar 16, 2009 05:53pm | #5

   I agree.  My gradual move toward hand tools comes not from any belief in some sort of "craftsmanship high ground" but from a desire to minimize catastrophic errors!  I've ruined far more pieces on the router table than with a handplane.  I'm not bright enough to know if tearout is going to occur, but I am bright enough to know that I need to know before I hit the mark, not after.

   I also think you are right about "the struggle."  I've recently started turning and, for me, it involves a great deal of working without a net (the odds of a massive catch seem to multiply as you approach your final shape) yet when I have a few spare minutes, I'm usually at the lathe just fooling around.

   I also know that I will never truly master most of what I do.

   Chris

2. 
   habilis | Mar 17, 2009 05:48am | #7

   I don't aim for a perfect cut unless I have to. Just try to make sure I err in the right direction. Cut, fit, too long/big, cut, fit, too long/big -> repeat till YES! 2 or 3 reps usually enough. Don't matter, if I have an audience, I can take it. I just want to always be happy and proud to say to myself, "I made that!".

3. 
   WillGeorge | Mar 17, 2009 05:22am | #6

   Anyway, enough ramblings this rainy Sunday morning..

   ramblings are heart felt and usually true.

   There is nothing wrong with ramblings.. Unless you are wrong and never try another way!