WiiTech

The past few days have been spent removing and then replacing a patio cover for a customer and now friend. A simple task of a 8'x20' roof structure supported by a wall of framed material. I had with me my most trusted friends in the trade. By that I mean a air compressor of Italian manufacture that has been my friend and working companion for over 20 years. At this point it may behoove me to explain that in construction many hand tasks have been replaced with air powered tools. Air powered nailers, staplers, screw drivers etc. They are great time savers and require less effort. Having just purchased for this job, a new air powered palm nailer I was at a certain level of anticipatory excitement around it's inaugural use. Also with me was a new compound miter saw. Now this I know will require a description but from the name you can induce that it allows you to make a cut of compound configuration on a piece of wood. In other words two angles, other than ninety degrees, at the same time. A newer technology that I had been envying for some time. This job was only the second time that I had used it and it had proven it's worth. But now the tale begins.
Shortly after my need of it the compressor died. No air powered palm nailer, no finish nailer, no air driver. Well so now what? Instead of nailing I used screws where I could. Not really a problem. However it is not good to use screws through the finish side of redwood siding. That was where the nailer was to be used. Time to bring out the old reliable hammer. After completing roughly a third of the siding operation I began to realize a certain pleasure in the swing of the hammer and the joy of completing the job despite the lack of time saving, effort saving technology. It was also about that time I realized it was easier and quicker to use a simple straightedge and my trusted skilsaw to cut the 20' long boards to their required lengths where they lay on the ground instead of trying to muscle them onto a support structure, then maneuver them into position to be cut precisely on my new compound miter saw. What was I thinking!
I was so wrapped up in showing up with the latest and greatest tools to help me be more efficient, faster, and yes a little towards supporting my image as a competent contractor, that I forgot the simple pleasures that I enjoy about what I do. I actually enjoyed the rhythmic swinging and solid staccato sound of the hammer as it drove the nail into the wood! It was such a fulfilling experience, so essence rich to stand back and see the completion of a task that was done, as closely as today's standards allow, by hand. Was this thinking at work for me in other aspects of my life? Was there food for thought here?... as my cell phone began loudly ringing from the dash of my truck, taking me away from a peaceful reverie.