"Patrick Conroy" wrote in message
...
So maybe Norm takes a ding as a carpenter turned woodworker, but I think
I'm getting a feel for the other side of the equation.

While putting up a small fort/playhouse in the backyard - I couldn't help
myself from:

- Running the 4x4's thru the jointer/planer to straighten them out and
finish them
- Putting a 1/4" roundover on the stock.
- Looking for the "best side" on a 2x4 destined to be framing material
- Reaching for the Japanese Pull saw to finish off an inside corner
- Sneaking up on a cut via seven trips to the miter saw
- Noticing that I'm off by about an 1/8th inch on some joinery


The real mental dichotomy surfaced around the framing nailer: (1) wow,
what
a cool kick-a$$, Tim Allen, power tool (2) ohmygawd butt joints and
exposed
nail heads everywhere!


I understand well.... I'm residing my house with Hardiplank and replacing
the windows with new windows rather than replacement windows. I'm fixing all
kinds of out of level/out of square situations with shims,
tapered-on-the-jointer spacers, etc. While installing a mounting block for a
flood light fixture, some 18 feet above grade near the frieze board, I was
doing work that would pass scrutiny at eyeball level next to a doorway...

It's hard to get away from the furniture mentality... A number of years back
I built wooden steps down the grade to the dog run. I cut huge dovetails to
hold the two sides of the assembly together. Mind you this was with
landscape timbers! ;-)

John