Modern Woodshop

Posted in Audio | Tagged failure threshold, podcast, porter cable, roubo, Woodworking, workbench | 8 Comments

8 Responses

1. on August 16, 2008 at 1:55 am | Reply Sal

   First let me say, I think it’s tragic that Black N Decker is diluting the PC Brand. As Dave said, there are too few manufacturers out there making quality hand tools as it is. With PC going MIA, Festool will have yet one more reason to raise their prices Competition is our friend. No PC = no competition = no friends.

   I want to thank Dave (thanks Dave) for addressing the topic of what he has dubbed “your failure threshold.” This matter has been a pebble in my shoe for as long as I can remember (and that’s a long time), and not just as it pertains to woodworking, but as it relates to all that I do, from Astrophotography to drafting something up in Sketchup to whipping up a stack of pancakes (they must be round). I guess it’s a mild form of that mental condition that some folks suffer from where they have to vaccuum their carpet 6 times a day, or get all the spots off their windows, etc, etc. I forget the term for it – something like a fixation or obsession.

   I strive to get things as close to “perfect” as possible, but trying to reach that level is often an elusive goal. That’s why I sought Dave’s advice. It would be nice to know whether it matters if you put that the pencil line at 3/64″ vs 4/64″ (1/16th) makes a whole lot of difference in the end. What do/did the masters settle on?

   I take Dave’s point that no one else will know if your piece is a little out of square or the joinery is a bit loose or a bit ugly, but I think it would still bother me to be reminded every time I look at my end table that there is a 1/16th” gap on the shoulder of one of the blind mortise and tenon joints.

   I know this philosophy is unreasonable, especially since I am nowhere near being able to make a perfect end table. But then again, for me at least, the mastery of any aspect of woodworking, be it cutting the perfect dovetail or squaring up a board or applying the perfect finish IS the goal, and not just the ability to build something that will get a nod or two from Joe Average.

   Anyway, great show as always Dave.

   
   
2. on August 16, 2008 at 6:12 pm | Reply Vic

   Sal,

   That affliction is OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), I don’t have it, but I felt a overwhelming urge to make sure you knew what it was. is. was.is…was….ack!

   
   
3. on August 17, 2008 at 3:48 am | Reply Sal

   Hey Vic,

   Thanks for the info. You’re lucky you don’t have a problem with OCD, but I think we’re all OC to at least some degree, it only becomes a disorder when it impairs performance or causes other undue suffering, which I think is the definition of a disorder.

   I kept thinking about it after I posted the message above, and the term did eventually come to mind . . . another point for OCD I guess.

   
   
4. on August 19, 2008 at 1:59 am | Reply Eric

   For me, the journey is as important as the finished product. When I feel like “okay, I get it, I get it” then I’m done.

   Let’s be honest – most people will look at something you build a lot less carefully than you will. And they’ll be a lot less impressed with what you got “perfect.”

   
   
5. on August 19, 2008 at 10:36 am | Reply Turtle

   Thank you Dave for your podcasts, they are a great way for my mind to be in the shop while my body is at work.

   I use Dewalt tools on the construction site, and have been looking to (upgrade?) some of my tools to PC. Thank you for the warning. I sure hope they don’t mess with the PC pneumatic tools.

   When are you done? You are done when you are two steps ahead. Example: You can’t change joinery after it’s clamped and clued, you can’t fix imperfections in the wood when you are done finishing. But of course, if you have enough time and money you can always start over until it’s perfect. Listening to you Marc and Matt, lets me know I sand way to much.

   
   
6. on August 19, 2008 at 5:06 pm | Reply Shannon

   Dave,

   Great episode. I was really bummed to see that LN is making the Roubo. It is rare to find any original ideas in this craft and I always think I have a new idea or at least one that hasn’t been done in a while and it never fails that someone always beats me to it. Recently Jameel built that incredible Roubo out of Ash with the sliding vise in place of the deadman. I was going to do that after looking at the Roubo plates. I have the ash already even. Then I thought well I have seen a twin screw on the end yet and I am going to do that. Well LN just killed original thought. So basically by the time I get done with my bench it will look just like everyone else’s on the block! Maybe that answers the other question of this episode. I am done when my stuff doesn’t look like anyone else’s or at least have my own stamp of me on it.

   Shannon

   
   
7. on August 30, 2008 at 4:32 am | Reply Sal

   Hey Turtle, there’s no such thing as sanding too much! The only way to really showcase wood is to sand it, no, polish it, with a plane or card scraper before finishing. Getting to that level of detail is like taking a perfect slice of time and matter. It’s like looking into the soul and the history of the tree itself, and preserving forever that moment and that beauty.

   You can’t mirror your woodworking habits on those of Dave, Marc and Matt – these guys aren’t woodworkers, they’re PODCASTERS, and BLOGGERS and TALK SHOW HOSTS! They don’t have the TIME to sand . . . but I assure you, if they did, they would.

   If you ask me, what sets apart a “that’s nice” comment from a “WOW” comment and a desire to caress the finished piece is dependent upon how much attention was given to the details – the sanding, the bevels, the seams, the edges, the hairline joints, the durability. If you don’t pay attention to detail, the Average Joe/Jane may not be able to point out specific differences between a fine piece and a so-so piece, but the overall impression will they get from even the most superficial inspection will be markedly different between the two.

   There is essentially no difference between a Rolex and a Timex, both will keep accurate time. You can see the stars in a $60 telescope, or be awestruck by the view of the heavens through the Keck instruments on Mauna Kea. You can slap something together, and pretend you enjoyed it, or you can really make a valid effort at challenging yourself to build something you will be proud of. Your work can be utilitarian, disposable and replaceable, or it can be artistic, precious and cherished. Which of these experiences would you prefer? I personally would opt for the latter in every case.

   Why do we woodwork? Certainly it’s not because we think we can compete with Ikea – we do it because we want to make something special, to showcase our skills, to celebrate and keep alive a timeless art. Maybe THAT is what we should keep in mind when we ask ourselves: how good is good enough?

   “Man is a tool-using Animal. Nowhere do you find him without tools; without tools he is nothing, with tools he is all.” — Thomas Carlyle

   
   
8. on November 17, 2008 at 10:10 am | Reply Brian

   I agree that the demise of Porter-Cable quality is sad.

   As for the Lie-Nielson Roubo bench, if I were Schwarz I’d be flattered. Schwarz is in the magazine business (and starting to get into the woodworking star business). To have a company like Lie-Nielson decide to offer essentially your bench is a huge compliment.

   As for knowing when I’m done working on a part or a project, it’s when I try to tell myself one last time that I’m not finished, and ‘me’ says “Yes, I am!”…