Final Assembly, The Real Test of Craftsman

[dusty]

I have once again failed to perform to expectations on the final exam.

I am making what could be described as a 'small book shelf' that is to be used along side an easy chair (for the telephone, video tapes/CDs and snacks, etc). A very simple job but one that I wanted to do well.

I always have trouble getting every thing square. Even when all the parts are exactly the right dimension and the dadoes and rabbets are properly cut and located.

Well, on this project I seem to have overcome that historical problem. Every thing seemed to go together perfectly. At least it seemed this way right until the end when it was too late to do anything about the mistake. Actually, it was too late as soon as glue up commenced. I just thought all of the pieces were perfectly dimensioned.

I had planed and jointed all of the materials to be used. I very carefully cut all of the pieces to length. The length of one or two pieces has always been part of my final problem. If something isn't the right length, squareness of the assembled pieces is usually impossible. Squareness of the various crosscuts was also no problem (this time).

Feeling pretty good, I began assembly. I was almost done when I realized that one of the horizontal members (a shelf) was the wrong width but how could that be. Not possible.

I ripped all of the materials at once using the same setup. I then passed each piece across the jointer to mill the edges. They were all smooth and square to the face. I did everything I could to get this one right but somehow I failed to do that. One shelf, at one end is too narrow. Not very much but definitely noticeable.

Perfection is only an objective!

Oh well. It's better than a lot of other pieces that I have produced and I was really proud of some of them.

Like has been said to me once before on this forum - "I am a builder and not a CRAFTSMAN". Nonetheless, I do have fun building things. Even when they do no replicate the original plans. The saw dust and shavings were phenomenal.

Maybe some day I will become a craftsman. Maybe.

[JPG]

I have once again failed to perform to expectations on the final exam.

I am making what could be described as a 'small book shelf' that is to be used along side an easy chair (for the telephone, video tapes/CDs and snacks, etc). A very simple job but one that I wanted to do well.

I always have trouble getting every thing square. Even when all the parts are exactly the right dimension and the dadoes and rabbets are properly cut and located.

Well, on this project I seem to have overcome that historical problem. Every thing seemed to go together perfectly. At least it seemed this way right until the end when it was too late to do anything about the mistake. Actually, it was too late as soon as glue up commenced. I just thought all of the pieces were perfectly dimensioned.

I had planed and jointed all of the materials to be used. I very carefully cut all of the pieces to length. The length of one or two pieces has always been part of my final problem. If something isn't the right length, squareness of the assembled pieces is usually impossible. Squareness of the various crosscuts was also no problem (this time).

Feeling pretty good, I began assembly. I was almost done when I realized that one of the horizontal members (a shelf) was the wrong width but how could that be. Not possible.

I ripped all of the materials at once using the same setup. I then passed each piece across the jointer to mill the edges. They were all smooth and square to the face. I did everything I could to get this one right but somehow I failed to do that. One shelf, at one end is too narrow. Not very much but definitely noticeable.

Perfection is only an objective!

Oh well. It's better than a lot of other pieces that I have produced and I was really proud of some of them.

Like has been said to me once before on this forum - "I am a builder and not a CRAFTSMAN". Nonetheless, I do have fun building things. Even when they do no replicate the original plans. The saw dust and shavings were phenomenal.

Maybe some day I be become a craftsman. Maybe.

Only a Craftsman would notice it!

[mickyd]

Great way to look at the woodworking art dusty. Glad you posted. I have a hard time accepting anything but craftsman quality but realistically, it doesn't matter. Shoot for but don't require it. I look at it as if I just can't stand it, I can always remake it. With my candle lanterns, I accepted a couple of flaws that were pretty gross on a close inspection but now that they are completed and on the mantel, only a close inspection reveals them.

[SDSSmith]

My father always reminded me "It is the overall effect that counts." I remember that and try to forget the flaws. Most people will not even see them. As I get older forgetting is easier.

[eartigas]

Furthermore, in the quest for perfection some people never start. I try the best I can; it never looks perfect but I learn a little with each new project.

[kd6vpe]

Dusty,
Don't put your work down so much. We all have these things happen to our pieces, that is what helps to make them hand made and not of a computerized production line. Don't forget to sign your piece I am always reminded of that by Charlese. It is a handmade piece by you and it is a thing that was made with american tools and woodworker.

[dusty]

Well I found out what went wrong. No, not really. It sorta went as usual. There is no great mystery to be solved. The shelf was actually narrower than it was suppose to be; at least on one end it was.

After pulling all the clamps and pawls off, I was able to determine that it was all wood work as usual; I had a "snipe" on the edge at one end of one board. Snipe is something that I deal with frequently but usually not on the jointer.

Hmmm. Maybe that means that it wasn't snipe at all; it just looks like snipe.

Is snipe a term that applies to just a surface planer or does it also apply to the jointer?

[JPG]

[quote="dusty"]Well I found out what went wrong. No, not really. It sorta went as usual. There is no great mystery to be solved. The shelf was actually narrower than it was suppose to be]

I would be inclined to reverse the question. I understood snipe before any knowledge of a 'planer'.

[wlhayesmfs]

My son in law told me that those little items only you or I know are there is what give the piece Character at least that is what he called places I did not perfect on my daughters Baby bed. Everyone seemed to like them even with the little flaws I had in each of them. So far I have made 4 baby beds for 4 of my Seven daughters. One I am working on now for daughter 6 for her first born.
wonder what character I will put in this one.

[oldc6]

I went to ask jeeves.com and typed in snipe. it talks about the birds, and shooting guns. No talk about boards or planers..........???????? English language is sometimes way to complicated.........