It seems odd that slowing down would actually decrease the time it takes to do anything, but in woodworking it works just like that. When you rush, there are a number of things that can go wrong. If you take your time, and slow down a little, you will actually avoid lots of problems that end up wasting even more of your time. In the end, this actually makes the process faster.
Slow Down to go Faster
Slow Down. Everyone seems to be in a huge hurry to get things done. However, rushing can cause problems that make things take even longer.
In the amount of time that it takes to measure a second time, or just check a measurement again, you can avoid a mistake that might take you back to the wood store.
If that happens, all the time you saved by just plowing forward will be lost.
Another thing that happens when you don’t slow down is that you tend to make mistakes or errors in the processes. You assume things, and it leads to time killing mistakes.
I was in a hurry to make a wooden sign a while back, and I just assumed that the last time I used the router table was for the same thing.
I remembered after I made the first pass that I had shown someone how the router can be moved up and down. Needless to say, the router was not in the same position, and I had to cut another board for my sign and start over.
Slow down when you are finishing your projects as well. When new woodworkers apply finishes, they tend to dip the piece in finish. They think that thick coats mean less coats, and they will be done faster.
See Also: 10 Step Guide to Wood Finishing
In the end, thicker coats take far longer to dry. Sometimes, they never dry. In a case like this you will be making the project again from the beginning. This doubles the production time, and kills any time that you thought you were saving by rushing.
Working too fast can also lead to injury. Everyone collects small dings and scratches in the shop. That’s not what I’m talking about. Rushing can lead to a lapse in judgement, which can lead to a loss of a finger.
If you get hurt bad enough, you may not be able to produce anything for a long time. Sometimes never again. Slow down. It will help you get your project completed quicker.
If you have any questions on Slow Down to Get Done Faster, please leave a comment and I will be glad to answer them. Also, please share my work with your friends online. It helps me reach more new woodworkers, and share my love of the craft. Happy building.
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