Splitting Parts
I’m doing lots of parts prep this week, so I thought I’d share a little slice of life. I think watching someone work can be chock-full of useful information. I try to create lessons and demonstrations to convey information, but just going about business in real time might show something that I haven’t thought to show. I used to think that this amounted to showing off, but Tim Manney convinced me once to make a spindle full speed in front of a class and I saw lightbulbs going off all around the room. I like to see wood move at a steady clip and this is the pace that I split. I want to give the wood time to submit to the pressure I’m applying and enough time for me to move thoughtfully. I did a voice over to explain what I was thinking as I moved through the material, but maybe you’ll get more by turning down the sound!
It’s also worth saying that this was a beautifully behaved red oak log, near veneer quality. Red oak can be quick to runout, so I usually take my time with it, but this one split very predictably. I’m sad that this is the last of it.
Another brick in your mansion, Pete!
Your spirit of combined observational discovery and mindfulness to the task are inspirational. Tim Manning’s advice to you is quite apt.
Your recorded creative actions and thoughts are superb short stories. Perhaps the best way to teach anything.
That was great Peter thank you. It is very hard to get a sense of the details from still pictures.