Unmaking Woodworking

[cabinetman]

We spend a lot of time discussing making projects. How about unmaking projects? Those are the ones that have to come apart. Now, some of those wind up becoming missiles flung at the wall, or stomped to oblivion on the floor.

There are special tools for unmaking. The most drastic IMO, is the fine adjustment tool. This puppy makes quick alterations, some very final.

There is also the bar of joy. When used properly, no matter how upset you are, seeing the results of a little leverage is very uplifting.

For lesser unmaking there is the $1.98 midget destroyer fix all, that has 4,380 uses (at last count), and large enough to poke out an eye, or any major organ, functioning or not.

Actually, I'm a firm believer in the ability to unmake. It gives us a feeling that no matter what goes wrong, it can be fixed. Needing to unmake comes very unexpectedly. It's usually when learning to unmake is the last thing on your mind. But, the process can be foremost on your mind. It's usually after gluing up a project, and you have left the shop, and hours later, thought of a problem that the only cure was to unmake. That moment is accompanied by a sick feeling in the stomach, the building of anger, and possibly a headache. Funny how woodworking can be so emotional.

But, unmaking can be as much of a learning process as making. At times it can be a valuable skill to have mastered. It can save materials, maybe some time, and if you're good...save the day.

Oh, I almost forgot to ask...what's your most memorable unmake?
.

[JSUPreston]

My most memorable unmaking was this past May, during my last day as activie Cubmaster for the Pack.

We were getting ready to do our crossover ceremony, and I just absconded with a very clean pallet that had just the right amount of scrap wood available for a small fire pit. I was unmaking it on the back of my truck, and tossing the scraps up to the front of the bed.

One of the scraps bounced off the plastic bed liner and spun up in the air just enough for the very tip of the wood to hit the back window of the Dodge Ram. I heard the noise, looked up at the window, muttered some word that I know I shouldn't have said, but at least no one was around (and I wasn't in uniform yet), and kept on unmaking.

We had a little bit of clear plastic laying around, so once I was finished, SWMBO finished busting out the window, and we put the plastic on the truck until the new window could be installed.

We never did build the fire...had bad weather in the area and had to meet under a pavillion. Window replacement on Monday was a little over $260...deductible was $250 and with having totalled the van earlier in the year, I didn't want to make another claim anyway.

[herb fellows]

Do you realize how perfectly your 'milk bone' tag line fits this scenario? It's kismet! If dictionaries had videos explaining the meaning of a phrase, that would be perfect!

[gsmittle]

You forgot a tool: it goes by the mysterious acronym C-4. To quote Fiona on Burn Notice: "You never know when you'll need a stable plastic explosive."

g.

[charliex]

My son has a "Bar of Joy" fondly named Sally.

[dbhost]

I do believe you have left out a few choice unmaking tools...

The joint, and other stuff separator does an excellent job of making two pieces or more out of one.

You also neglected to include the I don't care how lousy the cut is saw... Which is fast, useful, and leaves a danged ugly cut. But if you are simply wrecking it out, who cares?

And last but not least, the get rid of the evidence can...

[gsmittle]

I do believe you have left out a few choice unmaking tools...

The joint, and other stuff separator does an excellent job of making two pieces or more out of one.

You also neglected to include the I don't care how lousy the cut is saw... Which is fast, useful, and leaves a danged ugly cut. But if you are simply wrecking it out, who cares?

And last but not least, the get rid of the evidence can...

Whoa! Those are three of my favorite tools!

I have a couple of teenage sons who are pretty good at unmaking things, usually with their bare hands.

g.

[sscherin]

You forgot the Hide the remains tool.

and my favorite.. A multi tasker..
It can make and unmake assorted projects.

[Mr__Bill]

Boys, if you're going to do it, do it right!

Large tool.

Home shop version.


After years of building scenery I still make things with the thought of how they will come apart. The old sling nail puller and Yankee Ratcheting screwdriver, the big one, are still some of my favorite tools, and of course the Tiger Saw

Bill

[chopnhack]

Personally I am a fan of the "Foot of Death" tool. Many cases have been knocked down using this.

[unknown poster]

FUBAR, a tool I didn't need but bought anyway. They're not the most effective demo tools, but they look cooler than other demo tools.