It can take years to accumulate the right tools for the job. Some tools are better than others and it can be trial and error to find the right fit.
I should know this. By the time my brothers and I learned to ride a bike, we would work along side our Dad on woodworking projects around the house. Fence building, sheds, furniture, you name it. He made you use the Skil saw and you couldn’t cry while using it. Those were the days.
Fast forward thru middle school and high school woodshop, to hobby woodworking, to home renovations and remodels, to construction company sales and installation; I have done a lot and have seen a lot.
In that time, you begin to understand the importance of good tools. Sure, you could go buy and use discount tools and materials. I have a few myself. But sometimes the wrong tools can cost you a lot of time, money, and effort.
Take for instance, the wrong paint brushes. A lot of times, I will purchase the “chip” brushes in bulk quantities for staining pieces. These are nice because my process is to brush stain on and rag off. Then I can throw the brush away and not have to worry about cleaning it with mineral spirits or paint thinner, relying on it to get the pigment out.
Now, for painting furniture, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT to have the proper brushes. If you want to complete a piece and have it near “museum quality” finish, you are going to want to use good brushes. I spent some decent money on brushes about three years ago. I like to use “mop brushes” that are oval like brushes that are used when base coating furniture. I purchased three sizes back then that ran me over $200.00. Are they worth it? Absolutely.
Paint brushes develop their own personality over time. I know the small one is good flat runs and can give me grief on inside corners, the medium one is great on verticals and horizontals, but you have to be cautious about back brushing, and the large one, well it’s great but takes its own sweet time when you are giving it a bath.
My Dad always says, “Never loan your tools to anyone you wouldn’t let use your toothbrush.” This coming from a man who has a dry erase board mounted on his garage door with a sign out list for the tools he has loaned out. I guess he would let a lot of people use his toothbrush. I, on the other hand, am a little more conservative when it comes to my brushes.
I don’t want to have to train the new guy.
Be happy in what you do.
Daphne