It seems as if I have forgotten how to work wood. Today I was making a mitered dovetailed bracket base for a case piece. I wrecked the wood and ruined the joinery. I just stood, looking blankly at the pieces, not knowing what to do or how to fix my failure. This is not my first mistake in the past few weeks. I am completely stopped up.
Just venting.
-None-
Replies
I am a hobbyist. I find if I force myself to work when I don't feel like it I screw up like that also. Walk away from it for a day or two and try it again. Think everything out ahead of time, work in an uncluttered space with sharp tools and practice your joint on scrap first.
Hang in there.
Frank
Before I had my diabetes diagnosed and controlled, my blood sugar was all over the place and I experienced many moments such as you describe. Not saying that you may be diabetic but certain physical conditions may result in impaired mental functioning. Just a thought.
I don't quite know how to say this, but the previous post pretty much said it. If you are really not yourself you should talk it over with your doctor. There are a thousand things that could make someone a bit detached and drifty. Some are temporary such as a period of stress or lack of good food, sleep, and excercise. Others are more serious if untreated, but nearly everything can be made better with some care.
You know yourself best. If something really is different, speak to your doctor.
I've done exactly as you, ruined a piece of wood and stood there wondering how I could be so stupid. Usually happened in mid-afternoon or evening. Don't be too hard on yourself, it happens to most of us!
I'll echo the comment about blood sugar... I'm not diabetic, but if I eat too much carbos (especially refined sugar or white flour) my blood sugar will crash and leave me half-brain-dead.
(BTW, a low-carb diet did wonders for blood sugar levels - I could stay awake all afternoon!)
"Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler." A. Einstein
http://www.albionworks.net
Hey you're not alone. I do this for a living and make stupid mistakes ALL the time. Yesterday I was lightly planing the top of a nearly finished bookcase and gouged a huge chunk out of it. I misread the change in the grain direction. Ugh... I just left the shop, got couple of beers and laid down for few minutes. I got it patched up and will add some " wood grains" to conceal the mistake.
The lesson for me was that I was lazy by not preparing my dull scraper and grabbing the sharpest plane near me.
At least you were by yourself. A few years back, I was trying to impress some guy with how fast and accurate I do a large dovetail by eye, so I grab a ruler and pencil: mark, mark, 30 seconds; grab the jigsaw: saw, saw, 30 more seconds. I now have a couple of perfect tails, except that they're backwards, and if I bother to finish the pins this damn thing is going to look like rack and pinion gear teeth or maybe a zipper. As we all understand, Humanum est errare.
None,
All of your replies have been from sencere and sympathetic gentlemen woodworkers. While we all have some aw sh**'s from time to time, I feel compelled to ask you if you are just pulling our chain???
Just got that feeling.
God I know that feeling. Built a mantel and surround to match a built-in cabinet a two weeks ago. Took forever to match the finish, but I got it perfect. I was so proud of myself when I brought it over to the customers house. The said things like, "wow" and "I can't believe it". That is untill it was exactly 1 3/8" too tight. Turns out when I was "teaching" my helper to convert the site measurements to the sketch, I switched the inside/outside. Damn....
Needless to say, I am going to have to find a new home for one nice surround and build a whole new one, but this time I'll be using a story stick like usual.
PS. there is a trend here. Most of these screw-ups have been caused by careless shortcuts, usually induced by a somewhat "off" mental status.
Jim
Coventry Woodworking
I been there....
~ WebTrooper ~
"But don't take my word for it. I was wrong once and it could happen again!"
Thanks to all who responded to my post. I think I will seek out my doctor's advise, as I have not been feeling well lately. I have been moody and depressed, as well as very impatient with myself and others.
Thank you once again.
-None-
Dear "none", I am a retired phypsician, and would encourage you to see a Dr. soon. If he (or she) refers you to a neurologist or psychiatrist please accept that advice!
Tom
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