The best craftsmen don't measure like others do

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I still think you should give me all your tools. Not because you're wrong - I just want all your tools.

The old woodworker's maxim 'Never measure what you can mark' has been my go to over the years. Measuring ( I mean , you do have to measure a lot of stuff ) introduces an extra step. Extra steps = extra interpolation=extra chances for error.

A famous german saying goes like this: The woodworker measures to the millimeter, the carpenter measures to the centimeter, the builder is glad if he stays within the property :D

"stable like metal or a good hard cheese". Just pure gold.

It took me a long time to realise that precision in woodworking is often achieved by "sneaking up" to the target.

Here and I felt like a total novice cutting and re-cutting wood to make it fit right. Kind of a relief watching your videos honestly, thanks for making them.

This reminds me of when I learned why so many framers build houses to a 1/4" tolerance. I was building my dad a shed and was determined to have everything perfect since I wasn't on the clock and could spend the time to do so. The first weekend I built the floor, walls and trusses. Everything was exactly the right size. By the next weekend when I came back to finish, some of the walls had changed size by up to 1/8". I was unhappy but had learned a lesson.

As a retired engineer, I have always had to school my newbies on the difference between accuracy and precision.

You got me Stumpy. I spend more time watching woodworking videos than I spend in the shop. However, I laugh out loud SO many times at your wonderfully dry one-liners that I watch your videos as soon as they're released. I learn a LOT and enjoy both the lesson and quips immensely. THANK YOU!!!!

"I cut it twice and it's still too short!" Favourite carpentry line ever.

So glad to hear this. When I was young, you'd see plans having dimensions like "5 + 37/64ths." Decades later, you realize they simply took an existing project, measured it, and wrote down whatever their precise calipers indicated. Good woodworkers simply cut to whatever looks right and fits, and the dimensions are whatever they are.

"...a good hard cheese." Man, I love your humor. All delivered with a straight face, like the best stand-up. Good info, too.

What you're describing here is the difference between a nominal dimension and the tolerance. Right on.

I just retired as a architectural draftsman, and have measured many buildings. To a half inch for site items, to a quarter inch on the building outside, to an eighth inch inside. Wood moves. The last project upset me some as I used my equipment to cut all the pieces out, and was pleased that they were all the right size. Came back the next day and many parts were no longer straight or the exact size they were yesterday. Welcome to wood working. I'm used to working with metal at home, so I learned something.

My sheet metal fabrication/welding instructor told me a story from when he was a welder on a navy ship. They were in Asia somewhere getting repairs and local repair guy took measurements by holding his hands apart, turning around putting his hands on the material and marking it. When he was done hand measuring and cutting, the part fit perfectly. My instructor was amazed by the skill.

“Who cares x Doesn’t matter “……love it because it’s true! Great video. As a beginner, this is very helpful to quell my OCD tendencies when it comes to dimensions. Also, thank you for pointing out the difference between accuracy and precision.

Totally agree, Spot on. I built a library from Cotswold stone in Fairford UK. It was when CAD first started to be used for drawings, the length of the building was shown to .5mm. I took the architect outside and asked him to pick a stone as there was sure to be one that was correct.

I live in the UK and am of an age where I can use both the imperial or metric scales. So I use whichever scale suits the project best- truly ambidextrous!

Thank you! Clear voice and talking. As a european, thank you for the conversions to metric. Always good to learn more about woodworking