bradpotts Posted February 15, 2017 Report Share Posted February 15, 2017 Today I was finishing up some doors. I have always found it difficult to put down what I think is a really good finish. I.e. Gun calibrated correct, speed, distance... but today everything was beautiful and I realized. These little things are the reason I love woodworking. What are the things that bring a smile to your face when woodworking? Eric's is probably the smell of ARS. Ha ha 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treeslayer Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 i think Ice nailed it, everything i would have said except for sanding, when i'm sanding my thought is i'm about to put the finish on and i can finally see the grain pop and my thoughts go to the next project. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post RichardA Posted February 16, 2017 Popular Post Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 Being retired and old and getting up earlier than most of the world 3 to 4 AM and walking into a warm shop on a cold morning and the smell of wood and sawdust, just brings a smile to my face, as does the coffee in my hand. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradpotts Posted February 16, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 Pretty much every aspect aside from sanding. Giving something I made to friends and family. I just like creating. Getting close to finishing a project so you know you'll be starting the new one you've been thinking about soon. Recently the main one that's been bringing the grin is walking into the shop. I cleaned the shite out of it on Saturday and it's nice going into a clean space. Gonna try to keep it that way, as best I can. No more letting it go into chaos. I always have a thought of cleaning up at the end of the night but I hardly ever clean at the end of the day. I usually leave things laying around until I get tired of tripping over them or can't find things. Being retired and old and getting up earlier than most of the world 3 to 4 AM and walking into a warm shop on a cold morning and the smell of wood and sawdust, just brings a smile to my face, as does the coffee in my hand. Do you have a fireplace in your shop? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 That first pass of the jointer or planer on rough sawn stock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gixxerjoe04 Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 Def the groupies. Taking some rough boards that look like crap and making something useful from them that can potentially last for many years after you're dead and gone is pretty cool. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 27 minutes ago, bradpotts said: I always have a thought of cleaning up at the end of the night but I hardly ever clean at the end of the day. I usually leave things laying around until I get tired of tripping over them or can't find things. Do you have a fireplace in your shop? No, electric heat. But it's warm in the winter, and there's A/C for the hot summers. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Eric. Posted February 16, 2017 Popular Post Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 1 hour ago, bradpotts said: Today I was finishing up some doors. I have always found it difficult to put down what I think is a really good finish. I.e. Gun calibrated correct, speed, distance... but today everything was beautiful and I realized. These little things are the reason I love woodworking. What are the things that bring a smile to your face when woodworking? Eric's is probably the smell of ARS. Ha ha Not the smell of it, but definitely the way the wood comes to life with its first drink of oil. That's the money shot for me. Everything else is just building up to that moment. The first coat of finish is my favorite part. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 Unlike most of the people here, I don't necessarily love the process. I don't romanticize cutting joinery or touching a freshly planed surface. I love the design work, the first cuts that show what the board will look like. I suppose I really enjoy laying out the pieces on the boards, the discovery I suppose. After that point it's just work. I honestly don't "love" it until the project is done and I can see what I have made from a pile of wood. I truly enjoy woodworking, but it's not what keeps me coming back to it. The discovery and the final reveal is what keeps me going. There are parts along the way that I really like... but this is an overall perspective. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pondhockey Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 2 hours ago, Lester Burnham said: Pretty much every aspect aside from sanding.... That resonates for me. I would probably like the sanding if I were better at it and it weren't so dusty. As it is, a good portion of my learning is about how to sidestep sanding (acquiring competence with hand planes, scrapers, sharpening them...) The learning involved (I'm a nerd) is very engaging to me. That's why (although I also really do enjoy all of you folks) I spend time here! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prov163 Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 At work I have to focus on multiple priorities at the same time. In the shop I can really slow down and focus on each step in the process, really enjoying the task at hand rather than just "getting it done" so I can move on to the next thing on my list. I have to admit though that like Eric, when I see that first pop of the grain, I'm hooked. After seeing the wood in every state from rough sawn to final prep, in my mind I anticipate what it's going to look like. That first depth of character the finish brings to the surface is always my favorite moment in the shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodenskye Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 The girls! Chicks dig the wood! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post wtnhighlander Posted February 16, 2017 Popular Post Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 The smile on my wife's face when I get the thing she asked for right. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mick S Posted February 16, 2017 Popular Post Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 2 hours ago, RichardA said: Being retired and old and getting up earlier than most of the world 3 to 4 AM and walking into a warm shop on a cold morning and the smell of wood and sawdust, just brings a smile to my face, as does the coffee in my hand. You nailed. Took the words right out of my mouth. I can only add the view out my shop window this time of year. Or any. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 18 minutes ago, micks said: You nailed. Took the words right out of my mouth. I can only add the view out my shop window this time of year. Or any. Great view....... mine is turkey's and deer, damn near as good. 40 minutes ago, Woodenskye said: The girls! Chicks dig the wood! Only in the morning! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pondhockey Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 45 minutes ago, Woodenskye said: The girls! Chicks dig the wood! Oh, come on (and you too, Highlander!) Where's our resident 12 year old?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick S Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 Just now, RichardA said: Great view....... mine is turkey's and deer, damn near as good. One of the strangest things we've noticed since we moved here is the absence of deer. Not enough food, I guess - high desert. I relate to your post so much. As much as I love everything about woodworking, I love those early morning hours the most. Coffee, sawdust, straightening last night's mess. The rewards of making it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 Just now, micks said: One of the strangest things we've noticed since we moved here is the absence of deer. Not enough food, I guess - high desert. I relate to your post so much. As much as I love everything about woodworking, I love those early morning hours the most. Coffee, sawdust, straightening last night's mess. The rewards of making it. Amen, my young friend, amen. That's what makes being here a pleasure! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post wdwerker Posted February 16, 2017 Popular Post Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 Hey Pondhockey , you talkin about me ? Way to many comments that shouldn't be posted here..... I can gaze fondly at my outfeed table and remember the ladies dancing on it ! 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pondhockey Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 Well I've quoted you a lot, so even though I wasn't thinking of you this time, now I am! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JosephThomas Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 The sanding. I love it. Anyone that doesn't isn't a true believer. Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pondhockey Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 1 hour ago, JosephThomas said: The sanding. I love it. Anyone that doesn't isn't a true believer. Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk Well I guess that settles it!! It would be really fun to see a discussion thread involving both believers and atheists! (Hint.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post wdwerker Posted February 16, 2017 Popular Post Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 I belive having an assistant to do the sanding is the first step on the path to nirvana ! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Idaho Andy Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 2 hours ago, micks said: One of the strangest things we've noticed since we moved here is the absence of deer. Not enough food, I guess - high desert. Our deer only stick around from May to early November... but these guys are here year round... this is the back door to the Shop... but RichardA nailed it for the mornings oh...and I DO have a fire place in the shop 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Ronn W Posted February 16, 2017 Popular Post Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 Aside from the wood working itself, which I thoroughly enjoy. The shop is mine, the tools are mine, the designs are mine (mostly), it's my space and I am not working for anyone else any more. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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