At one time I was an apprentice with an aircraft manufacturer, and part of our training was in the use of tools to make metal objects (I still have a set square and a drill setting tool I made). Working to 1/4 inch precision would have been far too generous when I was tasked with making a retort stand for the test laboratory, so I slowed down and worked to probably a 1/64th degree. Lo and behold, the stand stood and would hold retorts! I think Stan has nailed it with regard to slow and steady, rather than the opposite. BTW, I was hopeless at woodwork at school - everything I tried was an abomination!
John in Brisbane -----Original Message----- From: Stanley Halpin <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, 28 March 2021 6:33 AM To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List <[email protected]> Subject: OT: (or not OT:) process vs. outcome There was a recent brief discussion here between Darren and PJ about the benefits (or not) of AI advances which will, among other things, provide far greater accuracy in camera’s autofocusing systems. The topic got me to thinking about two woodworking classes I took a few decades ago. The first was a two-semester, 32 week class on the use of shop tools for woodworking. Taught in a local (Northern Virginia) high school Shop class facility by the local high school Shop instructor, we spent 3-4 hours one evening each week learning how to safely and efficiently use circular saws, table saws, jointers, planers, drill press, sanders, routers, etc. Each class started with the guy's about 30 minutes of lecture/demonstration for the 8-10 of us in the class, and then the rest of our time was working on our own project(s) with observation, oversight, and occasional intervention by the instructor as needed. Before that class, I acted as though the little lines on the tape measure were primarily for decoration, filling in space between the bigger marks at the 1/2” and 1” markers. By the end of the class I had learned that 1/4” precision in measurement and sawing/planing was usually just about good enough but finer was better. The following year, through a different Adult Ed system, I took a class in the use of hand tools. This one was taught in a guy's workshop basement on the Maryland side of D.C. The guy taught, demonstrated, and let the 5-6 of us practice with his tools. I learned that it was possible to work to 1/64” precision, but 1/128” was better if one was going to handcraft a wooden jewelry box or the like. A huge part of the difference was learning how to use good quality hand tools, being careful, slow, deliberate, thoughtful… I never did build a jewelry box but sometimes I look at the dining table I built with power tools to 1/8” or 1/16” precision, and I think what an interesting challenge it would have been to do that table more slowly, deliberately, thoughtfully… I find a real pleasure in using good tools. Somebody with an iPhone or Canon might be able to fire off 10-15 shots while I am slowly carefully thoughtfully manually focusing my oh so primitive Pentax lenses, but the process itself is intrinsically satisfying to me. Maybe I could get the same outcome some other faster more mechanized way, but I would miss the pleasure of working with fine tools. Stan -- %(real_name)s Pentax-Discuss Mail List To unsubscribe send an email to [email protected] to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- %(real_name)s Pentax-Discuss Mail List To unsubscribe send an email to [email protected] to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
