Perfection and woodworking

[thetyreman]

I was thinking about how perfection can destroy an otherwise enjoyable experience, especially when standards are high, I've recently learnt to try and let go and just get on with it, if a mistake happens just let it be and immediately accept it, don't fight it.

being human is about making mistakes, so how can you create a masterpiece without the mistakes all along the way? it seems like the only way to get to the highest level is to make the mistakes first.

I'm sure many give up or feel discouraged by aiming for perfection, surely what matters in woodworking is the process? and trying to enjoy that in itself, instead of demanding unobtainable standards

thoughts?

 

[NazNomad]

I think that if you're striving for perfection, you should never use materials that grow imperfectly, like... errm, trees. :-D

“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” - Albert Einstein

 

[MrTeroo]

In lots of things, not just woodworking.

When my granddaughter first started to learn guitar three years ago, she would stop at mistakes and get flustered/embarrassed.

I told her to ignore the mistakes, just carry on as if they hadn't happened and enjoy playing.

When that advice sank in and she overcame her embarrassment at making a mistake, she progressed quicker and the mistakes became fewer and further between.

She's studying for her grade four now

 

[thetyreman]

I think that if you're striving for perfection, you should never use materials that grow imperfectly, like... errm, trees. :-D

“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” - Albert Einstein

:lol:

 

[NazNomad]

... and the correct answer to anyone who says, ''this is perfect''

''Really? Lemme grab my microscope!''

 

[woodbrains]

Hello,

There is nothing wrong with making mistakes, it is how we learn. But accepting mistakes is wrong; we cannot learn if we accept them as part of the process. You have to strike a balance; do something, whatever it is, without letting the idea of attaining perfection prevent you from the doing. When you are done, seriously critique the work and find solutions that prevent the same mistake happening again. The good craftsman 'sees' the mistakes and improves, the poor craftsman ignores or excuses the mistakes and never progresses. Blaming the wood will not excuse poor work; look at the exemplary stuff that is, well, made of wood!

Mike

 

[Orraloon]

This is one of those threads that is impossible to have one answer to fit all. Most of the responses will also have some truth in them. It all depends on your outlook and what you want to get out of woodwork or any other hobby for that matter. I think that perfection can never be reached but that said we still want to improve all the time. Mistakes are a great way to learn. Most times that is so avoid big mistakes with the likes of tablesaws. Just wonder how a scientist would describe perfection.
Regards
John

 

[dzj]

A trained eye can find imperfections in any piece.
A reasonable aberration from the ideal form is what you aim for.
Something that the great majority of people won't notice at first glance is a good starting point.

 

[Jacob]

One person's perfect is another person's overworked.
In fact over-working and over-finishing is a feature of amateur and beginner productions - not knowing when to stop.

 

[Beau]

Interesting subject.

One of main the reasons I have stepped away from furniture making is never being happy with what I had made. It was like a curse and I could never see past the mistakes in a piece. Wish I could reset the brain as one part of it knew what I make is OK but the other part just eats away at me.

 

[AndyT]

When I have finished something, I'm acutely aware of any errors that I've made along the way, but I have learned not to immediately point them out. Most other people, even if they are woodworkers too, see the whole thing, not the details. They don't spot the mistakes unless I tell them.

Also, it's a sensible use of your time to spend most of your efforts on the top and front of a piece, not the underside or the back.

 

[Jacob]

Interesting subject.

One of main the reasons I have stepped away from furniture making is never being happy with what I had made. It was like a curse and I could never see past the mistakes in a piece. Wish I could reset the brain as one part of it knew what I make is OK but the other part just eats away at me.

You don't do yourself any favours!
Instead of telling yourself that your product is inferior to Jack's why not remind yourself that it is superior to John's - not to mention the huge army of people who can do nothing at all!
The very idea of perfection can be pernicious and discouraging. The only people who don't make mistakes are the ones who don't make anything.

 

[MikeG.]

As long as the joints are perfect, I'm less concerned with what goes on between them.

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

Mistakes are the juice of life! Without making them, we never endeavoured, without observing their cause, we never improve. The history of all man made technological evolution is written into the fabric of mistakes and how to overcome them. Mistakes are nothing more than proof that you're trying and a road map for how to do it better next time. An incredibly useful entity.

 

[Beau]

Interesting subject.

You don't do yourself any favours!
Instead of telling yourself that your product is inferior to Jack's why not remind yourself that it is superior to John's - not to mention the huge army of people who can do nothing at all!
The very idea of perfection can be pernicious and discouraging. The only people who don't make mistakes are the ones who don't make anything.

I try Jacob believe me.

Just trying to put my toes back in the water at present. Helping a friend fitting kitchens and it's an eye opener to see what others find is acceptable and hoping it might rub off.

 

[Racers]

The closer you get to perfection the further you are away.

Pete

 

[kevinlightfoot]

Jacobs words are very wise you learn through mistakes and people who never do anything never make mistakes but they also never have the joy of creating something themselves.Those people never try because of the fear of ridicule,they should make for themselves first of all and only listen to those they respect for opinion if that is what they seek

 

[Phil Pascoe]

As my uncle said when someone pointed out an anachronism in the decoration of an old building - 99.9% of people don't notice, and 99.9% of the people who do notice don't matter.

 

[cammy9r]

Are you talking about aesthetically perfect shapes and ratios or mechanically perfect joints or flawlessly perfect finishing. I would imagine ALL that being near impossible for myself but I will do my best each time. How something looks is down to the viewer as already stated. As for peoples standards who knows. I work in car body refinishing and have noticed that not all my completed jobs are too my exacting standard I wish to achieve. Some slip through with tiny ripple that cant be felt but just visible at a sharp angle. 99% of customers don't see or don't care. Anyway having sprayed vehicles for many years I find any kind of brush and roller painting to be offensive, hate the lines and stipples as im applying the finish but after a week im ok with it.

 

[Chris152]

Is perfection making something that looks like a machine made it?
In that sense a photograph makes a more perfect likeness than a painting, but I think the best paintings (most perfect) are those that contain the traces of making, thinking and things that are human - which are often hard to find in a photo.