Perfection and woodworking

[monkeybiter]

One of the members' signatures [I had thought ETV but can't verify] was
"Good enough is perfect"
which I think describes it perf... more than adequately.

 

[Mr T]

And there are plenty more details which are "imperfect" but bother nobody, certainly not me. Most people would never notice unless they spent hours repainting them. Maybe a better workman could have avoided these blunders, but the one on the job was good enough.

Good example Andy. I wonder if the chap who did the job thought "I did a good job there" when he had finished. I think deep down you know when you've done a good job and that's what counts.

Perfection only exists past infinity, infinity is where parallel lines meet.

Pete

No, that's beyond me Pete.

Chris

 

[MikeG.]

A useful reference on this subject is "The Nature and Art of Workmanship" by David Pye

I was thinking more along the lines of "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" (Bob Pirsig). It's basic theme is the philoshophical exploration of "quality".

 

[custard]

And there are plenty more details which are "imperfect" but bother nobody, certainly not me.

The older a job the more forgiving we instinctively seem to be. Would you be as charitable if it was a brand new build, or an extension that you were being to asked to pay for?

Someone photographed hundreds of antique dovetails and put them on line here,

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mark_firl ... 404664767/

Some are immaculate, most aren't. But they've all survived hundreds of years and they all have oodles of charm. However, if some of those were offered for sale today as new work, carrying a price tag commensurate with hand crafted furniture, I think eyebrows would be raised.

 

[El Barto]

A useful reference on this subject is "The Nature and Art of Workmanship" by David Pye

I was thinking more along the lines of "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" (Bob Pirsig). It's basic theme is the philoshophical exploration of "quality".

I wanted to like that book so much but just couldn't

 

[MilesH]

I was thinking more along the lines of "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" (Bob Pirsig). It's basic theme is the philoshophical exploration of "quality".

Fair point. It must be about 40 years since I read that...

 

[skipdiver]

I dislike perfection ,whatever that is. I like something to look hand made, not like it came from a factory, cut and assembled to millimeter perfection and flawlessly finished.

My Brother in Law used to say "only fools and imbeciles see a job half done" whenever a customer started to scrutinise small aspects of a job. Look at the overall effect when it's finished and don't concentrate too much on the details was his philosophy.

I'm a bit of a make it up as i go along type and if i make a mistake, i get over it and move on.

 

[Racers]

And there are plenty more details which are "imperfect" but bother nobody, certainly not me. Most people would never notice unless they spent hours repainting them. Maybe a better workman could have avoided these blunders, but the one on the job was good enough.

Good example Andy. I wonder if the chap who did the job thought "I did a good job there" when he had finished. I think deep down you know when you've done a good job and that's what counts.

Perfection only exists past infinity, infinity is where parallel lines meet.

Pete

No, that's beyond me Pete.

Chris

The better you get the more mistakes you spot.
The closer you look at something the more mistakes you see.

Pete

 

[MikeG.]

........The better you get the more mistakes you spot.
The closer you look at something the more mistakes you see.

Pete

The more accurately you measure a coastline, the longer it gets.

 

[Mr T]

A useful reference on this subject is "The Nature and Art of Workmanship" by David Pye

I was thinking more along the lines of "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" (Bob Pirsig). It's basic theme is the philoshophical exploration of "quality".

I remember reading that back in the 70's. I've just got it down from the book shelf, the back cover is missing, think I'll read it again.

The better you get the more mistakes you spot.
The closer you look at something the more mistakes you see.

Pete

Yes, very true.

Chrtis

 

[custard]

There's a prestigious workshop that grades all the apprentices work from A to E. They encourage apprentices to aim not for an "A" but for a "B". The rationale is that it's impossible to turn a profit on "A", but "B" means you can get stuff out the door quickly enough to at least give yourself a chance of breaking even. Having said that, it's with pointing out that "B" would still be pretty much flawless to a non cabinet maker!

 

[Phil Pascoe]

A useful reference on this subject is "The Nature and Art of Workmanship" by David Pye

I was thinking more along the lines of "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" (Bob Pirsig). It's basic theme is the philoshophical exploration of "quality".

I remember reading that back in the 70's. I've just got it down from the book shelf, the back cover is missing, think I'll read it again.

The better you get the more mistakes you spot.
The closer you look at something the more mistakes you see.

Pete

Yes, very true.

Chrtis

Chrtis, I believe you are correct.

 

[Mr T]

The better you get the more mistakes you spot.
The closer you look at something the more mistakes you see.

Pete

Yes, very true.

Chrtis

Chrtis, I believe you are correct. [/quote]

New laptop, smaller keyboiard, I hate iot.

Chrisd

 

[Phil Pascoe]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwGWna828kc

 

[rafezetter]

In lots of things, not just woodworking.

When my granddaughter first started to learn guitar three years ago, she would stop at mistakes and get flustered/embarrassed.

I told her to ignore the mistakes, just carry on as if they hadn't happened and enjoy playing.

When that advice sank in and she overcame her embarrassment at making a mistake, she progressed quicker and the mistakes became fewer and further between.

She's studying for her grade four now

Very very true - you might want to point her in the direction of this youtube vid. It's a japanese guy who's become a bit of a sensation with his guitar performances, and I've listened to it many times, but there are two really obvious doozies just after 3.36 (with several before those, and a bunch after if you have an acute ear). I'm guessing overall there must be at least a dozen overall where the reverb harmonies just clash terribly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VsfvOj7FXg

Thing is of all the comments about it, I've not seen one pointing them out - it's possible, probable infact, that most of the audience didn't even really notice the majority of them (apart from the 2 doozies). I'd guess there are a great many live performances of music with similar clangers, it's just the nature of it being "live" instead of umpteen recorded retakes for that "perfect" one.

Back on topic - I'm still struggling with this particular beast in my woodworking - I have several "one off" projects that have stood idle for years essentially waiting for my skill level to reach the point I feel happy about finishing them, one in particular is what 4 years and counting?

But as with the guitar playing, I've fussed over details for a few things I've made for other people and they have not even noticed the embellishments I had added, let alone the level of quality in the joinery I've agonised over.

 

[Graham Orm]

I watched an interview recently with a successful sportsman, I can't recall who it was but he made a good comment when asked for advice for youngsters. "If you fall down 10 times, make sure you get up 11 times and eventually you will succeed.".

I don't think I've made anything without at least one mistake, I've been a tradesman for 40 years. Roll your eyes (if you must), and move on, simple as that.

 

[Jacob]

You have to bear in mind that many of the proponents of "excellence" and how to achieve it, are also trying to sell you things.
This is true in a lot of areas of life, not just woodwork! In fact "excellence" has become a devalued word IMHO.

 

[Graham Orm]

You have to bear in mind that many of the proponents of "excellence" and how to achieve it, are also trying to sell you things.
This is true in a lot of areas of life, not just woodwork! In fact "excellence" has become a devalued word IMHO.

+1

 

[Yojevol]

If possible be creative and turn your mistakes into design features

 

[RogerM]

If you're not making mistakes then you're not trying hard enough. Get out of your comfort zone and push the boundaries, and if you make a mistake, make it a great and glorious one, not some weak miserable little one! I've been learning some new techniques recently in preparation for building a veneered sunburst table with steamed curved legs. Most has ended up in the log burner, but I haven't failed at anything. I've just learned some ways it can't be done.