I get really aggravated at woodworking publications or web sites that hype the notion that they can show you how do something in a way that is “fast” or “easy.” Seriously, if all I care about is “fast” or “easy”, why on earth would I have any interest in woodworking? Nothing about woodworking is fast, and if it were easy, what would be the point? Going to McDonald’s is “fast” and “easy,” but it is almost never satisfying. Modern life is full of fast and easy. We’re constantly inundated with fast and easy. it’s everywhere, ubiquitous, and seems to be some kind of Holy Grail we all seek. When I enter my woodworking world, like most of you, I’ve chosen to reject the modern world’s obsession with fast and easy. I choose, I prefer, I crave – slow and difficult! I place achievement on a higher plane than convenience. I place contentment on a higher plane than gratification. From now on, any woodworking publication I come across that hypes some article that shows you how to do something in a way that is “fast” or “easy” will not find a home in my shop!
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Replies
In a word . . .
Yep.
Easy maybe .... not fast as 911
Thankfully things are easier today than when I first started. Only because I can see ahead and know what the result is before I do it. Years ago I was experimenting, learning, and trying to make a living. Well maybe some things haven't changed. Anyway doing what you like for a living isn't work. Yea - money isn't great in this trade but maybe money isn't that important. Just need enough to buy new tools and keep brews in the refer. Cool web site you have there.
SA
Larry,
I believe that 'fast' is important for a professional (time = money) woodworker.
For the 'easy' part, I think it is a code for 'no skills needed'. On you web site (it makes for a rather enjoyable visit
) you mention skills. It takes time, effort and dedication to develop them. One also needs some smarts to apply them functionally.
Best wishes,
Metod
I'll have to disagree with you on the choosing slow and difficult. If I can do something an easier way without sacrificing quality, I'll take the easy way. I'm a perfectionist but I'm not a masochist. I once told a boss, "I work very hard to make my job easier." He wasn't sure how to take it but he knew I did first class work.
Once I'm done with a project I need to know it is as perfect as I am capable of making it. Then I can be proud of my work. If I can achieve that quality in half the time, I'll pat myself on the back too.
But I absolutely agree with you that the "fast and easy" promise we see so often rarely achieves quality or gives the woodworker much satisfaction. I think those come-ons are geared towards the weekend warrior who wants to make a bombé secretary desk during half time.
Can someone direct me ?
I agree basically with everyone here. What I wanted to add is that I think the " code for no skills required " element is there but I also would like to think that they, at least in the past, were talking relatively. Now without bringing my relatives into this, bob forbid, which would only be relatively relative at best anyway , I think that a person who has developed some abilities , say in morticing by hand, may be missing enough info that a good article focusing on the fine points, or at least what to do with the fine points and how to make the points fine to start with . . . (pause to take a breath) . . . might make the mortising quickER and easiER.
At least for the few that are ripe for those tips and the rest of us can buy the magazine and dream that we too are so positioned for the promised moment of enlightenment. Kept me buying Zen books for YEARS when I was young.
: )
Now I am an old fart and I no longer want to be enlightened I just want to be comfortable.
An analogy might be the coach who has never actually played the sport at a high level verses the athlete, figure skater what have you that needs to be in the zone actually feeling the blade on the cusp of going right or wrong and being able to put the ball in the hoop from way outside because it just feels right to be doing that.
Some like or need to be the coach and play the game remotely through a "machine" if you will. Some like to be the "machine". OK . . . I go vurrrrrr when I plane but don't tell any body. I would be embarased if that got out.
For some it is the quantity of balls through the hoop even if they don't swish and have no idea how to or don't care to put it up with their hands . . . they like to fire it out of a minutely calibrated ball tosser and REALLY, REALLY LIKE their ball tossers. Or they crave every thing that comes with the photos someone else takes of the ball in the hoop and no one in that group gives a rats sass about how the ball got in the hoop.
I call those people machine tool operators. It's a necessary group. I enjoy running a metal working mill. I wouldn't want to chisel or handsaw some part out of a solid billet of steel even if the hand saw or chisel is sharp.
They are not going to carry the old hand tools skills into the next generations though. That saddens me.
The one on the cusp of the actual control of the blade in the ice or in the wood, or the ball off the finger tips directed by that magic that few wield . . . now there is an interesting situation.
We pay millions of bushels of baskets of beads to watch the skaters and ball throwers . Maybe we should do the same for the hand tool cabinet makers.
Can you imagine a whole bunch of people show up to a live cabinet making event complete with snack venders and big screen for close up and replay to watch some drawers being made and GETTING OFF ON THAT then fighting in the parking lot and turning over cars and setting them on fire because they are so excited they just don't know how to express their enthusiasm about their favorite cabinet maker any other way ?
Yah that is the part most seem to bridle at. Fortunately for me that is the part I enjoy most. Climbing the mountain. I don't really need to set up a pop stand once I get there I just like to climb the mountain. I didn't say it makes sense. That's just me. Though I sure appreciate being able to have a pop when I get to the top.
Hey . . . I am looking for a quick and easy way to get smarts to apply them functionally.
Can some one direct me ?
: )
The True Way
"
Hey . . . I am looking for a quick and easy way to get smarts to apply them functionally.
Can some one direct me ?"
When you can snatch the plane iron from my hand, Grasshopper, and cut not yourself, or me, you will know the True Way. ;-)
My bad, I should be more clear:
..."smarts to apply skills functionally". I intended 'them' to mean the skills.
Metod.
OK
>intended 'them' to mean the skills.<
I could use more of both.
Please send a half dozen of each.
aaaaahhhhhh
> . . . snatch the plane iron from my hand, Grasshopper, and cut not yourself, or me, . . .<
OOOOOOHHHHH Maaaannnnn . . . that NEVER turns out well.
Could we go back to the pea ? Pleeeeeaaaaaase . . . I just know I can do it THIS TIME.
Chuckle
We live in a "fast and easy"
We live in a "fast and easy" society. Get used to it. Not everyone does woodworking with zen-like solemnity or wants to. Some just need to git 'er dun.
Secondly, there's the learning curve. It takes a long time (well took me a long time) to acquire some facility with my tools and learn how to do things. Magazines live on advertising and subscriptions. If beginners are driven away from the hobby because the task of nailing two boards together seems daunting the 'zine will fail...no subscribers to look at the ads and buy the tools.
The beauty of it all is that if you reject fast and easy...you can. And you will make yourself happy. Other people do not think like you do. Their point of view is no more or less valid than yours. They are free people and so are free to pursue happiness in thier own way. IF writers want to cater to that, THEY are free to do so as well.
Feel free to accept or reject what you want, of course, but why would you complain about someone else doing the same, just because they think differently than you?
are you the kind
of person who says, " that is good enough".? .fast and easy or are you the one that would say that it is either good or not good?
everyone has different values and it usually shows up in the end.
ron
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