What is "perfect"?

I suppose perfection only exists in mathematics.

In woodworking, like most areas of life, perfection is an abstract goal that you aim for, knowing it can never actually be achieved.

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

I gave up on perfection in my woodworking projects a long time ago. I used to strive for it but came to the realization that if I wanted a piece to be perfect I never would be able to get anything out of the shop.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

The way that I generally categorize perfection is if it looks perfect it is. Of course there are plenty of limits to that like the piece obviously needs to be structurally sound and the like but if your piece is structurally sound and looks perfect then it’s perfect. Again real perfection is pretty much unacheivable in everything except got math but it’s the percoevable flaws in things that make them look imperfect. Unperceivable flaws though do not take awayy from the beauty of the piece. It’s the old saying that being a master is just your ability to hide flaws

A mothers love for her child. In woodworking something to strive for.

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

It’s perfect if it looks how I imagined it would look.

-- I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso

Damian, once in a while it looks even better than I had imagined. Does that make it better than perfect? :-)

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

I gave up on trying for perfection…...I’d rather strive for excellence.

-- John @ Myrtle Beach

my woodworking is far from perfect…just like my belly…but I still love my belly…and I still love my woodworking…both are on a journey to perfection…and both have a looooong road ahead of them.

of course your original question was how we define perfection…three letters: DAN

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

I never aim for perfection, and if by fluke I’d get close I’d have to intentionally flaw something. For me this hobby is about taking something, and making something better from it. If it was ever perfect, I’d have no where to go next.

Plus if I made something too nice I’d never be about to use it, for fear of damage.

Luckily (and happily) I’m not good enough to worry about that.

-- You know.... I think that old wood needs to be furniture.

If it’s not visually distracting, it’s perfect.

-- Debt is nothing more than the 21st Century's form of slavery.

I walk away from a project knowing every little ding, loose glue line, tear out, warp, tilt, and O shit. Perfection always seems to be what the other guy is doing.

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

Perfection, Ah, what a wonderful thing. Nothing ever has been. Nothing ever will be. Not even mathematics. Just ask a financial planer how much 2 + 2 is and if they are truthful, they will answer, “How much do you want it to be.”

But, if the customer likes it, and pays for it, or my wife likes it, then it is perfectly adequate.

-- Abe Low, Fine furniture, Sacramento, CA

If I wanted to obtain perfection in woodworking I would buy a $250,000 CNC, CAD, CAM everthing but the kitchen sink machine where in one end I’d toss in a 4×8 piece of MDF and out pops a pre-designed faux mahogany Federal card table with laser jet printed inlays. Its ok not to be perfekt. I like the uniqueness of things that are not quite perfect it gives them character.
-Rabbet

For me it is a bit of a circular statement. Perfection is the act of pursuing a state of perfect. If I feel that my most recent project was equal to or better than my previous project – it is perfect to me.

-- James - What's your excuse this time??

Perfect is different for for everyone, we all define it individually.

-- Tim: Remember, if it doesn't say Binford, someone else made it.

My take: perfection is a direction; not a destination. It’s kind of like North on a compass. The closer you get, the harder it is to know if you’ve arrived.

-- Disappointment is an empty box full of expectation.

@Charlie – yup, better than perfect :)

-- I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso