The old adage about learning from your mistakes can be a tough pill to swallow, but often times that is the best sort of medicine to do the best learning. I have made my share of mistakes, as i am sure that everyone can relate. But it is how we look at those mistakes that becomes the most important tool for learning.
I have had several history events in the past few weeks, and of course, it is a mad dash sometimes to get those last projects done in time. Last week, we headed to Canada for a reenactment – our first actually. most of the events we have done, we would consider living history. But the type of event is not at hand here really, it is the fact that I have been working on several projects over the last few weeks.
What I found is that when I am frantically trying to build a project or hammer out a forged item, I don’t think through all the steps, or I end up just running around in circles without a clue where to go next. And often that is where we see the mistakes. I know I had at least three now on two different projects.
The one that freaked me out the most was that I nicked my finger with a drill bit while trying to adjust the work-piece.
It wasn’t bad, but it is on my index finger, so I have trouble using that hand with the band aid on it.
It happens, as accidents are part of working around tools, but it did make my attitude change around fast spinning sharp things.
Another error I made is that I measured wrong on my cool new spirit box. Now before you think me crazy for believing in ghosts (they are real by the way) , I am talking about the kind of spirits you drink.
This box was meticulously measured and planned, but somehow I still managed to have the top of the box off by a quarter of an inch.
Still, it looks really nice. And is really functional, too. It holds two glasses, and two bottles of the fave liquids. Whiskey for the lady, and rum for me.
But alas, as I spoke of this at our event, I was told that it looked great and I should sell it, even with the slight flaw. So, now I am working on number two.
Mistakes are fine, it is the best way we learn. I am a much better woodworker now for all the great mistakes I have made. I think of them as trophies of learning. I also have a lot of other trophies – tools that I would not take for anything. I shared with a friend today some thoughts on that. I see tools as something that can really transform your ideas into art. And having good quality tools is a real important element to the craft of creating.
When I first started building things on my own, I never thought about chisels, but they are really becoming an important part of my projects now. especially the historic builds. They are great, but I made the mistake of buying a few from that cheap freight store, and they just don’t have the edge that is needed for fine woodworking. My lesson from those poor choices, much like that lid to my box, check it carefully before you make the final move, or you may end up doing it all over again.
Stay safe, and buy good tools.