Clearing off my bench between cuts changed everything

I used to leave shavings and scraps all over the surface. After ruining a piece by planing over a hidden screw, I started brushing it clean after each step. It adds a minute here and there, but my work is way cleaner now. Never thought such a small habit would matter so much.

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3 Comments

vera5147mo ago

Seems a bit extra to clean it every single time... that screw thing was just a one-off mistake. Not sure all that brushing is worth the time.

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wesley1817mo ago

Heard that grit from one mistake can cause more issues later.

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wesley_adams7mo ago

Read somewhere that a messy work area means a messy mind (sounds silly, I know), but in woodworking it's real. Sawdust and bits can hide problems or things you don't see, leading to more mistakes. Your screw story shows it's not just a one-time thing. It might feel like too much work, but it stops more issues from happening. I did the same after something like that happened to me, and it helped a lot. That quick clean-up time makes the final work better, for sure.

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