[shaftway]

Not sure woodworking is "low-stress", though I guess it depends on what exactly you plan on making.

I have had a number of failures at all phases of projects. One was 20 hours of work and a grand in materials that I were totally junk (I had to pay more to drop it off at the dump). One was fairly low material cost, but ~40 hours in it was ruined.

Now I make duplicates in case of failures. My last project I got material for 10, was able to actually get 7 blanks due to cracks and knots, 5 didn't get tear out so bad they were worthless, and 4 at the end after a final gluing mistake. One for me, and two that were gifts for friends. One spare, out of materials for 10.

I get anxiety about starting new projects because I worry about how much material to get to account for my mistakes.

[JohnFen]

> I have had a number of failures at all phases of projects.

I have a life philosophy about this: failure is the path to success (I've never learned anything by being right).

It can be hard to maintain the mindset, but it's actually true -- we learn from our mistakes, so nothing is a failure as long as a lesson was derived from it.

If you can maintain that mindset, it takes a lot of the stress out of things!

[shaftway]

In general I agree and I've preached the same. But the moment when you're holding the result of a month of weekends in your hands and you have to drop it in the trash can is tough.

[JohnFen]

Absolutely. That's what makes it hard. It feels like wasted time and effort.

I don't do woodworking, but I do fairly complicated electronics projects as a hobby, and a similar effect happens. I made a special display case where I put those failed projects on display, next to the final successful one. It reminds me that the failed example was just a stage in development and makes me feel better.

[shaftway]

I wish I had the space for that with some of my projects. The expensive one was a desk with walnut, maple and resin. The resin cracked and discolored. The lesson was that when they say you can pour it 2 inches thick, you have to remember that they're liars, and to use a different brand and pour in 1/4 inch layers.

The final product was epic, and I use it every day, but the failed desk was too big to keep.

[mejutoco]

I can suggest pottery.In that case you are dropping it[1] every five minutes, so you get used to it :)

[1] recyclable as long as it is not fired.

[23B1]

Nobody is going to lose their job, die, or start a war because of our bad woodworking projects ;-)