It Cannot be Bought or Given to You

I’m not one for giving speeches. I suck at offering toasts at weddings. I can sing a little bit.

But for some reason, I was compelled to speak my mind today at the end of a class on building a staked stool. I try not to speak my mind too much because I might end up quoting John Prine (“I really love America, I just don’t know how to get there anymore”).

Or worse.

The class had been rocky. But this class is always rocky. I’d brought (no lie) 10 extra legs and 15 extra stretchers. We ruined them all. We almost found the limits of how much elm could bend (it’s shocking).

When I got my stool assembled, I sat it on the bench and took the above photo. And then, when the last student got his stool together, I said the following to the eight students.

This is not the easiest way to build this stool. In fact, it might be the hardest. But you did it all with just a band saw and a drill. No jigs. No guides. Nothing but your eyes and your hands.

And that’s the point. When you make another stool like this, you might want to buy some jigs that will help you drill the mortises in the seat. Or build a jig to get the stretchers drilled perfectly parallel to the seat.

Before you buy those jigs or make them, remember that you already know how to do it by eye. And though it was really hard to get it right this first time, the next time will be easier. And after making a couple stools you’ll be able to do it without much fuss. You won’t want any jigs or helpers because they will just get in your way.

This is why I can build a chair in 13 or 14 hours. There’s nothing to set up. Nothing to adjust. I can just fly. And if I want to change anything about the chair’s design, I can do it without making new jigs or adjusting old ones.

What you did this weekend was so hard. But you began learning a skill that is now in your grasp. And this skill isn’t something you can buy. It’s not something that someone can give you. And it’s not something anyone can take away from you.

Once you have it, it’s yours. So take it.

OK, rant over. Cut down the legs of your stools. Clean up your mess. Thanks for coming.