MAKING
DO
The
Theory of the Three Ps:
“Perfectionism
leads to Procrastination.
Procrastination
leads to Paralysis.”
I’ll bet you think the editor of a woodworking magazine owns the ultimate dream shop, packed with the latest, fanciest, high-tech woodworking equipment on the market, right? Well, why don’t you join me fur an arm-chair tour of my personal workshop, situated in the basement of my house. Careful on the stairs, I’ve been meaning to move those pieces of wood. Watch your head. I raised most of the hot-air ducts to get more headroom, but that one’s still pretty low.
Over there’s my funky old bandsaw—a 1950 vintage Sears12-inchcr I got from my Uncle Jack. That upper guide broke years ago, but it still runs fine on the replacement guide Jack made for it. I resaw on it all the time. The radial arm saw, grinder, and that old drill press, I bought second hand. I splurged a few Years back and bought that Delta Contractor’s saw brand new. Last year, I went wild with a new 6-in, jointer. Up till then. I hand planed everything I made at home. I still use my planes a lot, but it’s nice to have an alternative.
Mv workbench? I left it behind last time I moved. It was too big to bring along. Right now, I make
do with my “WorkMate” portable bench and that heavy, wooden table with the machinist’s vise. I also work on
my table-saw sometimes. I’ve got a new Record vise over there on the floor, and
some 5-in, square oak for the legs of my next workbench, when I find the
time to build it.
Tool cabinet? Never
owned one. I keep my hand tools, chisels, and carving tools neatly
arranged on those wooden shelves. My turning tools are still packed away in
boxes, since I sold my old
lathe. Maybe next year I’ll
spring for a new one.
The lighting is a bit spotty, but I fill in with clamp lamps when I need more light. I’m planning to install two separate circuits—one for the lights and one for my equipment. In the meantime, I make do with what I have.
That’s the point. Make do with what you have. Like you, I dream of the day when I’ll have the time and the money to build the workshop I’ve planned in my head. At the rate I’m going, I may never complete my personal dream shop, but I’m building it piece by piece as I go along, adding tools, machinery and improvements as the years go by. In the meantime, I don’t let less-than-ideal surroundings prevent me from working.
If you put off woodworking until you have the perfect workshop, you’ll never make anything. Paralysis. Get going with what you have. You’ll find that your shop will grow and evolve with time.
DAVID SLOAN. Editor