That little voice
We’ve all heard it at one time or another. The little voice that says, “Maybe you shouldn’t do that.” It’s usually heard just as we are about to do something…
We've all heard it at one time or another. The little voice that says, "Maybe you shouldn't do that.” It's usually heard just as we are about to do something really stupid.
Looking back, I realize that every time I have ignored that voice, it’s been regrettable.
Like once when I was trying to finish up a job under extreme time pressure and I just needed to finish cutting one more corbel. The bandsaw blade was dull and I knew I should stop and change it. But I only had a few inches to go to finish the cut and you know how hard it can be to pick up that curve again once you stop, so I pressed on, pushing harder to compensate for the blade's reluctance to cut through the hard maple.
The little voice screamed at me again, right before the blade broke through the wood. I backed off just enough to prevent the blade from slicing all the way through my index finger. As a result, the cut only went a third of the way through the bone.
So my little voice saved me from a more serious injury. I should have been listening earlier.
D.D.
David DeCristoforo possesses an extensive resume as designer/maker of fine furniture, high-end cabinetry and architectural woodwork. His experience in professional woodworking spans a period of 35 years. For the past 20 years David DeCristoforo Design has been located in Woodland, California. During this time David's shop has ranged in scope from a "full on" cabinet production shop with as many as 15 employees to a small fine furniture and custom millwork shop, working with his son, David RBJ, a highly skilled maker in his own right.