I went out to the shop today for something…. can’t even remember why I went out there originally…. and “remembered” I had a good straight edge up in the rafters (where it will be safe from getting knocked around…. and, of course, I forgot I put it there).
Anyways, one thing led to another and I ended up crawling around my table saw, fine tuning the alignment of the table extensions. With the better straight edge, I got to see how far off I was when I set it up originally. Well once I had it all nice and flat, it just made sense to go back through it and readjust the miter slots for perfect width through their entire length (Steel City 35990G, granite top with split miter slots), which then led to re checking the slot-to-blade alignment (within .001 so I didn’t need to redo everything… whew), and then of course I had to recheck how my crosscut sled fit. It was fine. I had set it so the runners were tight to the “blade side” of each miter slot.
Was going to do something else when I realized I had tinkered away an hour and a half.
So how much time do you spend just tuning things up? Sharpening this or that, cleaning something, adjusting something, ... making a jig you know you’ll need some day…. stuff like that?
I know I ought to do some of that, but, errrr, well, I don’t – it’s just not in my nature. If I need something for the thing I’m working on, then it’ll get dusted off. My hour and half sometimes goes just staring at the wood and bouncing stuff around in my head.
-- "Do not speak – unless it improves on silence."
I am doing it more each week. Go out to start a project, just fine tune the saw before I start, just sharpen the drill bit in case I need it for the project, just make a better table on drill press to make things go QUICKER, just, just….and then its time to come in and EAT. Somedays THE Project never even starts. OH WELL.
Yeah, I seem to spend more time in the shop just messing around with stuff when I dont have a project going on. I can always sharpen something or re-arrange cut offs. It ususally ends up in another project when I realize I need to build a storage rack or a shelf or a cart or something. Its fun though because whenever you head out there you never really know what you will end up doing or creating, its fun.
-- --Now we are surrounded sir. "Excellent private, now we can attack in any direction."
You had better NOT mess with my “tinker time”, and don’t tell Maggie what I’m doin’. Let’s see…..Wax the TS and outfeed table, check the miter gauge, clean the DC and the vac, next…...Oh, I forgot….plane irons need to be touched up. Why did ya have to bring this subject to the front? Bill
Yep some projects take two to three times longer than they should.I start cleaning, I start organizing, I start rearanging, do you see a pattern here.a lot of starting but no finishing.lol
I have a habit of walking into the shop and getting sidetracked by this or that and of just planning for another project. I am trying to get to the point of finishing something before starting anew, but..
I am pretty sure that SWMBO believes that’s all I ever do is tinker.
Truth be told, there is always time to double check things and make sure my effort is not wasted because I assumed something I had done earlier was correct.
-- "It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so." - Mark Twain
Uaslly one full day a month will be spent cleaning and tuning the machines. This does not include changing out dull knives during normal work. Then again, my shop is to make money not a hobby.
If by tinker you mean cleaning, rearranging the shop and tuning the equipment then you just described greater than 50% of my shop time…
Now if you include piddling around and making mistakes instead of finished projects, we are up to at least 75% of my shop time…
I do this more for creativity and stress relief than for any actual productivity… The production of completed projects is just an added bonus…
-- Manufacturer of fine quality sawdust since 1984. Comments and advice on my shop welcome. Check it out at http://lumberjocks.com/dbhost/workshop. Gladly accepting shop build donations!
It seems the older I get, the easier it is to get distracted from my original task. One distraction leads to another and so on, and the original job gets forgotten about. But I got six other things done!
Woodworking Skill Share Your woodworking skills are displayed for several lifetimes in each project. Have you had to compromise your project...
8793
Woodturning On the lathe, by the lathe: do you have questions? frustrations? tips? This forum is for all the woodturners out there.
223
Woodcarving Relief, 3D, chip-carving, whittling; carving knives, chisels, pocket-knives, power tools. If you are a carver or want...
28
Scrollsawing Intarsia, fretwork, intricate design cutting and more! This forum is for scrollsawers: share your tips, ask questions...
61
Joinery Have a question? a tip/strategy to share? a challenge, perhaps? Share your "joinery" discussion here.
80
Finishing The finish, whether paint, wax, stain, or something else, can make or break a project. What are your tips and questio...
1533
Designing Woodworking Projects Looking for information on designing your projects? Having difficulties reading project plans? Looking for help with ...
3550
Power Tools, Hardware and Accessories Are you unsure of which tools, or hardware, you need, or which brands to buy? Investing in tools and hardware can be ...
15787
Hand Tools Wood, your hand tools, you and a little know-how. Share your questions, tips and strategies for the use and maintenan...
2036
Jigs & Fixtures Using a jig is like having a couple extra hands helping out. Show us your jigs, share your tips, strategies and, of c...
495
Wood & Lumber Different wood requires different woodworking strategies - from cutting to finishing. Share your tips and challenges ...
2841
Safety in the Woodworking Shop Before you pick up those woodworking tools, take the time to ensure your safety in the shop! Eyes, ears, fingers, and...
809
Focus on the Workspace Are you looking for or do you have tips to share regarding the workshop? Storage, equipment placement, efficiency, an...
902
Sweating for Bucks Through Woodworking If you are selling your work, then you have entered a woodworking dimension with added complexity and stress. If you...
766
Woodworking Trade & Swap All of us are holding onto treasure in our shops, that we either don't need, don't want, or could part with if presen...
2740
LumberJocks.com Site Feedback Connect with the Website Gurus and tell us what you are thinking, suggestions, problems, functionality issues, and so...
1547
Coffee Lounge Need a break from all the standing and wood dust? Chat with your Forum Friends about their projects, their life, thei...
6159
DISCLAIMER: Any posts on LJ are posted by individuals acting in their own right and do not necessarily reflect the views of LJ. LJ will not be held liable for the actions of any user.
