That one day last August where every single mortise and tenon fit perfect on the first try

I was building a 12-foot oak trestle table for a client in Portland and somehow the weather was just right, the wood was straight, and my chisel was sharp enough that I didn't have to shave a single joint, has anyone else had a day where everything just clicked like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

mark4361mo ago

Oh man that's the best feeling ever! I had a similar thing happen last fall building a cherry china cabinet. The humidity was just right at 45% and I'd taken the time to sharpen everything the night before on my water stones. Every dovetail slid together with just hand pressure and I didn't even need to break out the mallet once. Made me feel like I actually knew what I was doing for a change haha.

karenh561mo ago

Yeah, you got the stars to line up just right that day. Next time the humidity will be wrong and you'll be chasing it with a rubber mallet and prayers.

mia7001mo ago

Funny how those perfect days remind us we're not really in control, just lucky sometimes.