January 27, 2006

mechanical pencils, mechanical jobs

I use a mechanical pencil now. For over a year I used one of those flat carpenters pencils. They get sharpened with a utility knife and draw a line anywhere from a 16th to an 8th of an inch. Not real accurate, but when you are framing, siding or whatever you don’t need 100% precision.

As a countertop maker one must be a little more specific about just where you want to cut. It’s more exact than even trim work (although I’d now use a mechanical pencil for all finish work). Today I, for the first time at my new job, cut in some countertop back-splash. You have to cut it so that you have a little wing sticking out. You first cut almost all the way through your back-splash then stop, turn it over and cut the rest at a 45 degree angle. (This is because of the beveled edge, but that’s complicated to explain and not really part of the story. Go find some laminate back-splash and look at the corners real close if you’re interested.)

Making this cut was challenging, but the first real complicated thing I’ve done at this job. I’ve been their two and half weeks. I’m a little scared that I’ve now kind of reached a crescendo. I’m told that I’m a learning really quickly, better than normal, blah blah blah. I’m told that at just about every job. Most things aren’t that complicated and if you show up and try your best you will shock most employers. They aren’t used to people showing up and doing their job.

I don’t stay with jobs where I’m not challenged to learn new things. The challenge will always be there with a beveled back-splash cut. It will get a little easier, but will always require a great attention to detail. Within a 32nd of an inch. You’ve got a 10” metal blade spinning around 4000 rps with your fingers and arms within flesh-eating distance while trying to hold the board in place and cut with precision. It’s not easy, but it’s not much different from day to day, job to job. We did three instals today. Two of which might as well have been the same job. Drop the top, screw it down, cut the sink holes, back-splash, vacuum, next.

Perhaps what I’m getting at here is that those Dire Straits dudes might have had it right:

Maybe get a blister on your little finger
Maybe get a blister on your thumb

We got to install microwave ovens
Custom kitchen deliveries

I shoulda learned to play the guitar
I shoulda learned to play them drums

Now that ain’t workin’ that’s the way you do it
You play the guitar on that MTV
That ain’t workin’ that’s the way you do it
Money for nothin’ and your chicks for free

posted @ 10:03 PM