Building a Workbench from Scratch

Start with the End in Mind

Before cutting a single board, I spent two weeks sketching, measuring, and thinking about how I actually work. What tools do I reach for most? How tall should the surface be? What kind of vise do I need?

The Parallels to Systems Work

Planning a workbench is surprisingly similar to designing a data pipeline. You're optimizing for workflow, thinking about edge cases, and building something that has to last.

The Joy of Slow Work

In a world of instant feedback loops, woodworking forces you to slow down. Measure twice. Think about grain direction. Let the glue dry. There's no deploy button.