Sawdust on the Floor

I’m sure that we have all heard that old cliché that goes something like this, ” A true craftsman doesn’t blame his tools”. As a woodworker I have for years accepted that as somewhat of a gospel.  A concept that we should always aspire to.  But lately I have began to think that saying might better if it were reworded to say that “A craftsman is only as good as his tools”.

It really doesn’t matter which avocation, or hobby you choose to aspire to, most people consistently try to do their very best at that endeavor. Having the right tools, equipment or supplies has never been considered to be a deterrent to achieving those goals. So why then why should craftsmen or craftswomen be held to a higher standard ? 

I have been a woodworker for over 30 years now.  Over that time my woodworking skills have improved.  With that 30 plus years of experience, comes the knowledge that there are times when your woodworking tools will define the level of workmanship.  For instance, if the knives in my jointer are not aligned properly, or are dull, these will have an adverse affect on my work.  Same could be said for a tablesaw that has run out in the blade arbor. With a tablesaw operating as such, there shouldn’t be any reasonable expectation of a smooth clean cut for that saw.

But I have been a woodworker for some time, and I also have had access to other skilled woodworkers, who have helped to develop my skill and knowledge sets. So I can now see that the tools, not my skill as a woodworker can be the cause for less than stellar workmanship.  But what about the new woodworker.

Many new woodworkers enter into to woodworking at what I consider a real disadvantage.   They’re new at this and don’t know if they really can do this.  And as such don’t want to spend a lot of money on tools and equipment, just in case they either do not have the skill set, or find out that they really don’t like making sawdust. Myself, I find the idea of not liking to make sawdust, almost criminal, but that is beside the point here. What is important is the guy or gal goes out and purchases what normally amounts to the cheapest woodworking tools they can find. 

Fast forward to the point that they begin using their new tools, and either because they haven’t developed the skills yet to do good woodworking, or the tool doesn’t perform as expected, they feel that woodworking is not for them, and they give up trying. Developing the skills to do good woodworking is just like every other avocation  in the world, but it takes time and practice to develop the skills.  The lack of experience normally prohibits this new woodworker from having the ability to determine if it is really them, or are they expecting something from there tools that just beyond the ability of the machines.

If this newly minted woodworker listens to the pundits, and their clichés, about never blaming their tools, they are truly then lost  and may give up on woodworking.  But if the clichés were changed to a craftsman is only as good as his tools, we might  all be better off.

Related posts:

1. Woodworking Tools – The New Craftsman Miter Mate Saw
2. Craftsman NEXTEC Multi Saw
3. Woodworking Tools – Just How Important are Good Fences?
4. What makes a good woodworker?