Shopsmith Forums

Ed in Tampa wrote: In fact I really believe if some were truthful they may admit that they would rather fiddle with their machine adjustment than actually build something.

Not to mention the enjoyment of some of get when we buy a new setup tool and play around with it trying to get it to give us that magic setting.

I really dislike "fiddling" with adjustments... even on my hatchet.
I do enjoy ragging on guys that want to get down to machinist specs with wood but I don't begrudge them at all doing anything like that that they enjoy and I do learn a lot from them and enjoy their discussions about such things. Its just something I don't enjoy doing personally. Rustic is my friend...
Sometime I get the feeling that someone from "Wood" reads this forum... I chuckled when I read that article too.
Now I probably drive some members nuts with my propensity to automatically want to make design changes to about every machine I touch. Much of the time I would rather modify machinery than make something.

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dusty wrote:.--. .-. . -.-. .. ... .. --- -. .- .-.. ..--. -. -- - -. - .--. .- -.-- ...
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a1gutterman wrote:-- --- .-. ... . -.-. --- -.. . - .- -.- . ... .-- .- -.-- - --.- --.- .-.. --- -. --. .. .- -- --. --- .. -. --. - --- ... - .. -.-. - --- .-.. . - - . .-. ...

Especially for those who mix up their o's and q's! Fun, wasn't it?:)

pennview wrote:I guess if the author of the article in Wood, Shop Monkey, were making picnic tables or other such outdoor furniture, his summation that ""close enough" is usually close enough" would be right on, but I hardly agree that someone making chippendale reproductions would find that acceptable.

I've made things using the "close enough" philosophy and also by trying to be as precise as possible, and I've concluded that the latter is the way to go. Right now I'm finishing three small mailbox door banks with mitered sides held together with feather keys/splines for my grandkids, and can't imagine what they'd look like or how long they'd survive if they were just close enough.

Art in Western Penna

I think the concept that you are missing here is the definition of "good enough". You are confusing it with "sloppy" which is not what it means at all. It means exactly "good enough" for what ever you are building. On a picnic table close enough can be pretty sloppy but on a project like you mention sloppy is not "close enough". "Close enough" can require great accuracy in such cases.
Playing at a hobby it is OK to putter all you like but in a productive situation going totally overboard eventually reaches the level of silliness and becomes completely counter productive. In all productive environments accuracy and productivity must be balanced.

tryinhard wrote:Especially for those who mix up their o's and q's! Fun, wasn't it?:)

Yes, it does look like I mispelled a couple of words.

a1gutterman wrote:-- --- .-. ... . -.-. --- -.. . - .- -.- . ... .-- .- -.-- - --.- --.- .-.. --- -. --. .. .- -- --. --- .. -. --. - --- ... - .. -.-. - --- .-.. . - - . .-. ...

You be a good learner a1!!!! I knew you'd get it. Did you search for morse code translator?

mickyd wrote:You be a good learner a1!!!! I knew you'd get it. Did you search for morse code translator?

Actually, I had the Morse Code alphabet on a sheet before I made that post, but after I printed it, I decided that I did knot want to take the time...then you posted the "challenge" so I went and spent the time, this time, but I do knot plan on doing that very often.

The concept of "good enough" leads me to some deep introspection. Today I went to a community fair, where a local "craftsman" was selling hand made puzzles. I use the word craftsman lightly, as the hand painted pictures were rough and sketchy, the puzzles were cut on construction grade ply, with the voids exposed, and the finish was a much too thick poly glaze. But they were selling. They were being appreciated by the masses, and they were selling. Not in great quantity, but they were selling. I would never, ever, exhibit this as my work. Guess I am too much of a perfectionist, as I have been told. But then again, I don't create items in production quantity for sale. For this craftsman, the work was good enough. And I applaud his attempt to share his skill with others. Like I starting, the topic makes me ramble on in deep thought.
If there is a moral, perhaps it is that good enough is in the eyes of the beholder. I think I'm now 15 hours into making a pair of alphabet puzzles for the twins. Keep on making sawdust.

kalynzoo wrote:... I think I'm now 15 hours into making a pair of alphabet puzzles for the twins. Keep on making sawdust.

That is the trouble with our "hobby", Gary. You wood never be able to sell your puzzles and make what you have into them, to the masses. Maybe to a wealthy customer who appreciates quality, but knot to the masses. That other "craftsman" will make more money then you, and his customers are happy!