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I've HAD it. Enough is Enough

4K views 40 replies 16 participants last post by  Obi 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I've had enough of making "less the beautiful" pieces. I've found that I'm surrounded by GREAT woodworkers, that create ABSOLUTE MASTERPEICES. I can no longer submit pieces that can not compete with these beautiful works of art.

Time to step this up a notch … or three. I've been settling for "Just good enough" to please my friends, but they are not "Good enough" to please me.

With the latest additions by Marc (the woodwhisperer) I need to quit pissin around (excuse the …english) but I am no longer satisfied with the work I've been doing.

Thanks to all of you who have inspired me to "Step up the Pace"
Obi
 
#3 ·
and so the journey begins-each of us at a different level of skill and understanding, but each of us walking the path of woodworking..
Looking forward to seeing your next project, Obi
 
#4 ·
Obi and Dusty, don't feel that way. Yes, the woodwhisperer makes wonderful works of art along with so many other LumberJocks, but if a novice joins this site and sees nothing but professionally done work, not to say that yours isn't professionally done, I'm speaking of my projects that have been posted, they may be discouraged. We must incourage our fellow woodworkers to strive for such creations while showing them that some of us are at that level of expertise that they are, thus giving them hope of future work that they can produce while giving them a place to post and share their work without being intimidated. By doing this they can ask questions freely and grow with all of the LumberJocks like one big happy family.
 
#5 ·
How can anybody improve if you don't have something compare with, & learn. After all, everybody has to start somewhere, and this is a good place for young, old, experienced, & inexperienced. Some beginner might have something new that no one has ever seen, or heard of before.
 
#6 ·
Obi, I know where you are coming from. It's so easy to fall into a standard that is 'good enough'. And that mark may be well above what most ordinary people can do and may even elicit admiring comments from fellow woodworkers. In fact, for a while it may even satisfy us. But then we meet people that have taken the craft to an entirely different level, perhaps one that we hadn't previously thought possible.

My initial reaction to this is a combination of awe, respect, and incredulity. But after a while I start thinking. Perhaps I could do that, or why can't I do that, or I'd better get off my duff and get serious about my woodworking. I've fallen into a comfort zone and didn't even realize it.

In my opinion, that's what is so great about LumberJocks. The meeting of recreational woodworkers like myself with seasoned professionals willing to share their advice and expertise. I really respect the men and women on this site that take the time from their busy lives to coach, teach and encourage those of us that are a long way back in this woodworking journey.

So Obi, don't stop showing us the progress you are making along the way. Like "Mark in the corner" has said, not all of us have attained the same level. In fact we are all a work-in-progress.
 
#7 ·
good discussion, all around!!
My little lanyard is a perfect example of my journey: my first attempt (posted in my projects) is really quite impressive, to me, for my first attempt at using the tools. I was pleased enough to show it to others. It was good enough. Now, with the advice of others, I have picked up a little carving tool and after a few strokes, the original piece is now no longer good enough and I have to "step up the pace", as you put it Obi. My next piece must be cleaner, smoother, more true to the form…
Once I get a handle on using the carving tools, these dollars tools will no longer "be good enough" and neither will the the carving skills that I will be developing.

Onwards and upwards. From a wannabee to … who knows!!
 
#9 ·
Not just you Mark… I've been making plenty of firewood!... (kidding, but the projects are outstanding! Great to have to raise the bar… we all win!
 
#10 ·
After thinking about it all day long while working on my latest "not as bad as some of my other stuff" project, I came to this realization. I framed for years. Rough carpentry; and I was told that you can never turn a framer into s finish carpenter. What a bunch o' hooey. Next thing I came to realize was that I bought my first tablesaw, router, sander, 1 year ago. Designed my first cabinets 1 year ago. Made my first arched raised panels 1 year ago. That mahogany pulpit was my first project and when you stop and think about it, it wasn't that bad. It only becomes that bad if I slide on into a comfort zone where mediocre will do. Well I'm too much of a perfectionist to continue to stay in the land of Mediocrity. I love Marc's work. I admire Mark's work too, and Don's. Actually I like anybody who pushes themselves to the limit. EVERY one of my pieces are flawed. Well … (thinking, thinking …) yeah, everyone. But each piece gets better. For a Rookie craftsman, I do better than anybody else I know personally, and surrounding myself with ALL Y'ALL will make me strive to be better. A better craftsman, a better friend, a better human being.

May the Blessings of the Most High be yours.
 
#11 ·
Long ago I accepted that there would always be someone better than me - in woodworking or what ever you choose for that matter. The key for me is - am I as good as I can be. That is where all of you come in,and do your part.

You inspire me and challenge me to be the best I can.

Thank you.

Dusty
 
#12 ·
WHO IN THE WORLD SAID QUIT? I DIDN'T. I WAS SIMPLY SAYING THAT I'VE HAD ENOUGH MEDIOCRE WORKMANSHIP IN MY FIRST YEAR, AND I WASN'T GOING TO TOLERATE ANYMORE FROM MYSELF. I'M TOO DAMN GOOD TO SETTLE FOR MEDIOCRE. I'M A LUMBERJOCK. IF THE WHISPER DUDE CAN DO IT, THEN I CAN DO IT. Y'ALL HAVE SPARKED THE CREATIVE GENIUS THAT DWELLS INSIDE OF ME, AND NOW I'M GONNA KICK SOME ASS. QUIT? I HAVE TOO MANY TOOLS TO QUIT. QUIT? I'M THE BOSS ! THERE IS NO QUIT. THERE IS NO TRY. THERE IS DO AND THERE IS DO NOT.

I'M SORRY IF I LED PEOPLE TO BELIEVE THAT I WAS GOING TO QUIT. I PLAN ON TAKING THE NEXT WOODWORKING GIG FIRST IN CRAFTSMANSHIP AND FIRST IN CREATIVITY. YOU WOKE UP THE MONSTER. AND I'LL PROBABLY HAVE THE HOTTEST FIRE.
 
#13 ·
Obi,
I hope you didn't think I was suggesting that of you. I was merely making a general comment was tempted to quit many times when I first started. I didn't quit, and encourage others to stick with it.

I'm sorry if you thought that, because that thought wasn't even in my mind.

Dusty
 
#16 ·
I'm an extremist. A perfectionist. And my work was NOT showing it. I was diagnosed genius when i was 8 years old. I got a "B" average grade point average just for showing up. I did what was required. JUST what was required. This is MY arena. I don't do this because i have to, I do this because this is what i love to do.

family members have told me to go back to some b.s. ... a truck driving job. building computers. a temporary agency. Sorry. I wont do it. I'll sleep in the bushes before i quit doing the one thing that I was meant to do. Make stuff out of sticks I'm a lumberjock, like my father before me. He was seduced by the dark side. hahahaha

This place is more of a family to me then most of you can even begin to imagine. I got mentors in here. People who can inspire me just by posting their best stuff. They deserve my best in return.
 
#17 ·
Obi, you are a man of passion which I can both understand and respect. I too stand in awe of not only our great woodwhisperer (who freaking cracks me up constantly!) but Mark, Don, Pat, Roger, Dick and several others (sorry I can't list everyone!!).

I'm on the newer side of lumberjocking as well. I've been at this for like 2 or 3 years now. I have a few projects that while I'm proud of them, I also know I could have done a better job.

But let's not forget that this stuff takes practice. Yes we should try and push ourselves with each progress, but if just anyone could walk into a shop full of tools and make a masterpiece, who would care?!?

We are not like the others that shop at Walmart for our furniture.
We don't want to set our glasses down on a table that has more glue than wood in it's construction.
We are Lumberjocks.
We our proud.
And like you said, we DO kick ass!

so let's get into the shop and push ourselves to the next level!
 
#18 ·
In my life there are few who can truly motivate. Not by lecturing, but just being who they are. They manage to cause something deep down inside you to rise up. a deep stirring. Like Jack Nicholson said in As Good As It Gets "You make me want to be a better man", this place does it. The people in here dig that out. Cause it to rise to the surface.
I am truly blessed to be here.
 
#19 ·
I listen to your history of having the potential for A+ but settling for a B and I see the possibility that one of the lessons of your life journey is to overcome the urge to settle.
Doesn't it feel great to 1) acknowledge the life lesson and 2) take steps to move past it?

One of my life lessons is to "do it myself' rather than passing it onto someone more qualified.. kinda taking the easy way out. And so I guess that big scary table saw is in my future… Gulp
 
#20 ·
You'll find that the table saw is your most important tool when it comes to making sticks. I take big sticks and make little sticks, I then take the little sticks and make big sticks again. And it in no deadlier then an angle grinder with a Lancelot, or a router spinning at 25,000 r.p.m. or a sharp chisel. I have a major rule. If you come into where I'm working with a power tool, know this: My fingers are within 2" of a very sharp cutting … blade. Do not talk to me, wave at me, or try to move into my line of vision. I will, while watching my fingers, instantly yell at you at the top of my voice to go away or I will throw something at you. I've only yelled at 1 person. And all I said was "Go AWAY!" I don't care who is on the phone, at the door, or visiting up at the house.

I love table saws. They are my favorite tool. I know exactly where the blade is, where the fence is, and where the material is. Always watch your fingers. Use your safety glasses at all times. I want a new powermatic PM2000 10" 3 HP puppy.

Oh and they also have that table saw that WILL NOT cut your hotdog. That's a really nice table saw.

Bottom line is this:
Pay Attention, Use your safety glasses and don't work when you're tired or distracted …
or under the influence of drugs or alcohol
 
#21 ·
I am right there with you Michael. Each of my projects have been less than perfect too. I keep trying, and keep getting better on each one. I also keep reading to find new ways of doing things better as well as new designs and projects. And, I keep checking Lumberjocks as well.

Good luck on the road less traveled. There are many of us heading down that same road.
 
#22 ·
If it was so easy to create beautiful things from wood, this website would not exist - the material is not perfect, having the ability to gain and decrease in size, yet retain internal stresses and defects even though it essentially died many years previous. It can be recycled or at least reused up until withering away from rot or burning, and it comes (like ice cream) in many different flavors. Sounds like us doesn't it?

So I ask you - Given a choice, would you rather have a nice diamond that you had absolutely nothing to do with, or a beautiful piece of wood to create with? Be proud of everything you make, and get back to the shop!
 
#23 ·
I didn't quit, I just quit settling for mediocre. I've started sanding more, and applying more coats of lacquer. The five projects I've done since the magazine rack all got more attention. My favorite was the hickory Pulpit. That lead to a Hickory Coffee Table with Walnut raised panels. The most recent issue of Popular Woodworking has a table which I'm making out of Walnut with Hickory and soon to follow is a Walnut/Maple Dresser.

So, Teach, I am in the shop. And to answer your question… I'm a lumberjock. I'll take the stick every time. If I was to take the diamond it would only be to sell so I could buy more sticks.
 
#24 ·
Is that what they call a diamond in the rough?

I have been trying to work on my skills as well. I have been taking extra time in the measurements, carefully making cuts, extra attention during glue ups, and of course sanding. My area to work on is finish. I am still not satisfied how the finish comes out. Now that I have an air compressor, I am looking forward to trying spraying rather than brushing.
 
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