rickhem wrote: ↑Mon Jul 22, 2024 6:43 am
You do some really nice work, and showing all that goes into your projects is something I appreciate. How you move through the process and address what pops up along the way is both interesting and informative. It also showcases the depth of your abilities with this. Care and maintenance of your tools is a sign of a true craftsman too. Those boxes you have for your gun cleaning gear is a prime example of that.
And on a more philosophical note, whenever I read about people tackling projects like this, it's nice to realize that life must be going well, that there is free time to spend on the "wanna-do" activities, instead of being tied up with the "gotta-do" things. Even better!
My stepfather was a master craftsman and ran a small contracting business outside Richmond, Virginia in the mid 70s. His clients were those with real money and he built additions, garages, workshops, etc. He didn't have to advertise, but always had jobs lined up and clients willing to wait. He taught me a love of woodworking and to attempt perfection.
I worked in high stress jobs throughout my careers, and used my woodworking to both provide needed items for the family, nicer than we would otherwise afford... and as a stress relief. I also learned early on, when something went wrong... Walk away.
The time let me figure out the solution calmly, where anger would cloud the thought process. Helping that decision was an elderly woodworking friend very early on. Tacked above his workbench was a 3x5 notecard with a handwritten faded note to himself...
"It's ONLY a mistake when you can't fix it or someone saw you make it. Until the, it's an opportunity to learn something new."
It also helps that in 90% of my projects, the plans are mere suggestions, fluid, and easily changed.
The scales on that one are Osage Orange.
