Took a drafting class in 1985 and one old guy changed how I use a ruler

He said "don't press so hard, let the pencil do the work" and I still hear his voice every time I pick up a scale. Has anyone else had a random mentor like that stick with you for decades?

2 comments

2 Comments

spencer_wood17d ago

Man that's a good one. I had an old carpenter tell me to "measure twice, cut once" when I was like 16 and I still hear it in my head every time I pick up a tape measure. Funny how those little things just stick with you forever.

the_nathan17d ago

You hear it in my head every time I pick up a tape measure" hits different when you realize that's basically a free mentor living rent free in your brain forever. Thing is, I've noticed that piece of advice doesn't just apply to woodworking. It's like a life hack for anything where you can't undo it easily. Sending a risky text, spending money you don't have, even choosing what to say in an argument. That one simple rule from a random dude probably saved me from a ton of stupid mistakes outside the workshop too.