Have you ever completed a project and admired it, only to find a flaw that ONLY you can ever know about? If so, did you forget it or fix it?

Usually don't fix it but I can never forget it.

I have learned the hard way   to first think about a possible repair and then decide if the risk is worth the effort. Usually, as said so often by others, is "I am the only one who will notice it". In almost all cases involving a small flaw with finish such as shellac, any attempt at repair usually spreads like a grass fire around the original small flaw . Regardless of fix or not, I remember it and the small voice in my head gently tells me about it during the next project.

hat

 

Edited January 29, 20197 yr by hatuffej

there's bigger things out there to fret about....

Like Hat and Stick there are bigger things to take care of. When you try to correct that small flaw you may just make it more noticeable.

 

I have done both,and it depends what stage I am in whether I fix it. I can see where with a turning guy, if they flub up it is a big decision whether to take more off or toss it. I can usually correct mine by just making another part.

Herb

11 minutes ago, Gerald said:

When you try to correct that small flaw you may just make it more noticeable.

being OCD often works against you...

I do let things go on things that are rough, like a kids playtoy.  However if I know a woodworker (like you guys and gals) is going to see it, then I'll fix it. If I can see it, you can too. However, like stick said, if you mess with it.......you could make it worse.

Edited January 29, 20197 yr by Ron Altier

2 hours ago, Stick486 said:

there's bigger things out there to fret about....

like no snow. 

3 minutes ago, p_toad said:

like no snow. 

EXACTLY!!!

I am in Lew's camp on this... and that comes from the experience of making things worse by trying to fix

Another good reason to ramp up your skills for the next one!!!!

Dad drilled into me (1) If you never make a mistake, then you aren't doing anything worth doing (2) Better learn from the mistakes of others because you'll never live long enough to make them all yourself.

 

On another note, I helped a guy remodel some houses, build a couple houses and a few garages...when I questioned if something was OK or not, he'd look at it then say, "you'll never see that from the middle of the road or after the plywood is on" meaning it's structurally sound...not perfect, but "good enough."

 

I've learned to let go of some things...perfection is a relative term...if everything I tried to get done was "perfect" I'd never get anything done. My $1.00-$0.98.

5 hours ago, DRAGON1 said:

Another good reason to ramp up your skills for the next one!!!!

Good to "see" you Mike...been a while...hope all is good?

22 minutes ago, Grandpadave52 said:

Good to "see" you Mike...been a while...hope all is good?

Everything is ok. Just busy working and planning out how to "ramp" up MY skills at wood burning.

Don’t think I’ve ever done a perfect project. 

2 hours ago, Grandpadave52 said:

Dad drilled into me (1) If you never make a mistake, then you aren't doing anything worth doing (2) Better learn from the mistakes of others because you'll never live long enough to make them all yourself.

 

On another note, I helped a guy remodel some houses, build a couple houses and a few garages...when I questioned if something was OK or not, he'd look at it then say, "you'll never see that from the middle of the road or after the plywood is on" meaning it's structurally sound...not perfect, but "good enough."

 

I've learned to let go of some things...perfection is a relative term...if everything I tried to get done was "perfect" I'd never get anything done. My $1.00-$0.98.

At the theater set build, our motto is, "If no kid is going to get hurt and it looks OK from the fourth row it's good."

34 minutes ago, DRAGON1 said:

Everything is ok. Just busy working and planning out how to "ramp" up MY skills at wood burning.

Please share when time allows. @MaDeuce, a relative newcomer to this site, shares the same passion and talent.

Always enjoy seeing your creations.

5 hours ago, Grandpadave52 said:

perfection is a relative term

I agree.  Last guy that walked the planet that was perfect and without sin they crucified.  No really sure I want to stand in that line. After what I did in the Marines and in Iraq I am already on the line for the early retirement of several Guardian Angels.   

In my shop, a project without mistakes is unheard of. Sometimes, trying to fix a mistake becomes an exercise in tail chasing. But, it's all fun.