Couldn't agree more. So many times I've WANTED to power through, but taken a break and end up coming back with a much better plan. Usually then executed better, and more safely, too. I was impressed with how I saw this approach to breaks codified when I was studying in Japan. Team tea breaks were frequent, and enforced. It wasn't just about having a sip of tea together; the ritual forces mental breaks across a team of carpenters that are all at different stages, and helps reduce the incidence of accidents.
Thanks Vic. I agree with all you said and it is my routine as well. At the end of the day I sharpen any chisels or planes that were put to task and are needed to be ready for tomorrow, and the work bench has to be cleaned off and tidy. It is a good way to start my next day with any project.
You mention about sharpening at the end of a day, or project... have you started to strangely enjoy that part of the ritual? I kinda like it now. Clears the mind as well as sharpens the tools. Switching to freehand helped.
About forty years ago, I built my first house. I had little or no carpentry experience so I hired a friend of my older brother, a carpenter by trade, to help me. I might have been writing the checks, but from 8:00 to 5:00, I was the helper and when he said, “Frog,” my job was to jump.
And the first rule of business was keeping the worksite clean and organized. When we shut ‘er down at the end of the day and he got in his truck to drive home, I was expected to stay as long as required to get things picked up, put away, swept and ready for the next day. “If I show up in the morning and this place is a wreck,” he warned me, “I’m gonna go sit in my truck and drink coffee until you get shit straightened out. And I’m gonna be on the clock every minute I sit there.”
So that’s how we operated. It was a great habit to learn early on and one I still practice today.
Couldn’t agree more, with the post and the comments. It’s so nice to return to a “squared” bench. And the breaks always add clarity and improvements. In a closely related spirit, I have been thinking about making a replica of the traffic sign “Slow” for my shop. 🐢
Couldn't agree more. So many times I've WANTED to power through, but taken a break and end up coming back with a much better plan. Usually then executed better, and more safely, too. I was impressed with how I saw this approach to breaks codified when I was studying in Japan. Team tea breaks were frequent, and enforced. It wasn't just about having a sip of tea together; the ritual forces mental breaks across a team of carpenters that are all at different stages, and helps reduce the incidence of accidents.
Thanks Vic. I agree with all you said and it is my routine as well. At the end of the day I sharpen any chisels or planes that were put to task and are needed to be ready for tomorrow, and the work bench has to be cleaned off and tidy. It is a good way to start my next day with any project.
Cheers
Michael
You mention about sharpening at the end of a day, or project... have you started to strangely enjoy that part of the ritual? I kinda like it now. Clears the mind as well as sharpens the tools. Switching to freehand helped.
I sharpen all the time! 😂
About forty years ago, I built my first house. I had little or no carpentry experience so I hired a friend of my older brother, a carpenter by trade, to help me. I might have been writing the checks, but from 8:00 to 5:00, I was the helper and when he said, “Frog,” my job was to jump.
And the first rule of business was keeping the worksite clean and organized. When we shut ‘er down at the end of the day and he got in his truck to drive home, I was expected to stay as long as required to get things picked up, put away, swept and ready for the next day. “If I show up in the morning and this place is a wreck,” he warned me, “I’m gonna go sit in my truck and drink coffee until you get shit straightened out. And I’m gonna be on the clock every minute I sit there.”
So that’s how we operated. It was a great habit to learn early on and one I still practice today.
I can't work in a mess or with clutter. I have to "square the bench" for whatever I'm doing. Didn't have a term for it, though.
Couldn’t agree more, with the post and the comments. It’s so nice to return to a “squared” bench. And the breaks always add clarity and improvements. In a closely related spirit, I have been thinking about making a replica of the traffic sign “Slow” for my shop. 🐢
Make two please.
🐌
Tom Sachs has a video on YouTube about this, he calls it knolling “Always Be Knolling” one of his 10 studio bullets. Good watch if you have the time.
Indeed! I read about the 10 Bullets and knolling in Adam Savage’s book. I hadn’t seen the video…I will check it out.