Whether we admit it or not, all of us have a personal philosophy on how we approach working in our shops whether we are just hobbyists or hard-core professionals. In over 50 years of working in wood, I’ve come up with quite a few thoughts on the subject, but recently I decided to consolidate them and write them out. I’ve distilled it down to just four rules now, which doesn’t seem like much, but in lengthy reflection, it does seem to cover it all.
Here they are: (click on photo to enlarge)
I have yet to carve the plaque because I am looking for just that perfect piece of lumber that will lend gravity to the thoughts entailed… but it will happen.
In explanation:
- Hurrying, rushing, time deadlines, and overtasking limited time has never resulted in a better product and frequently results in more mistakes – which you already know you don’t have time to correct.
- I actually measure more than twice if I have ANY doubt. It’s really hard to uncut a board.
- This is from my days doing surgery. Sometimes you have achieved a good result and then trying to make it juuuuust a little bit better will set off a cascade of events that will screw the whole thing all to hell. Don’t ask me how I know this.
- Getting bloodstains out of wood is a LOT harder than not bleeding on it in the first place. If you see blood, stop and patch yourself up. Unfortunately, not bleeding in the shop, i.e. not nicking, slicing, stabbing (splinters), smashing, or scraping fingers, knuckles, hands, and arms, doesn’t seem to be one of my options. I don’t think I’m particularly clumsy, but I do keep a BIG box of Band-Aids in the top of my tool box… and I get a tetanus booster every five years whether I need it or not. Caveat: I’ve only drawn blood with hand tools. With power tools I am VERY aware where the blade or arbor or spindle is and where all of my parts are in relation to it. I stay a little scared (or more) of all power tools.
What are your shop principles?
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