I started a book back on May 20, 2020, it was Every Tool’s a Hammer by Adam Savage. The book is about a popular maker’s life, from when he was a small child, playing in his dad’s studio, to a full-grown adult with successes ranging all over the film and maker industries. One of the great things about the story he shares is that he includes epic failures, embarrassing events and an intimate look into his process to help makers of all levels. He also shares lessons that he has learned along the way. Obviously, he shares his experience with MythBusters, but I had no idea how much Jamie Hyneman impacted his life as a professional and maker. I knew they were co-workers but wasn’t aware that Jamie gave him his break for MythBusters.

It isn’t a difficult read, and a welcomed change from user manuals and syntax manuals that I tend to read more than leisure reading. I learned many of the processes that Adam uses, I also use. I learned that I use habits from many of the people he shares in his book. As a rule, I try not to base what works and doesn’t work for me on how others work (different folks, different strokes type of thinking), but it was nice to hear about a prolific builders using the same philosophies and beliefs that I do. For example, and I’m paraphrasing, Tom Sachs says cleaning a workspace after a day is meditative and necessary. I couldn’t agree more. I will admit, during a multi-day build, I will leave project stuff on the bench at the end of the day, perhaps allowing glue or paint to dry, or I’m getting the next step ready; honestly, its generally paint drying, I am bad at calculating dry time. When I clean up after each day, I know that everything that doesn’t have a purpose in or on my final “thing” has been removed, so I can come in the next day and start fresh. This habit was started for me when I was young because I shared a workspace with my grandpa and dad, both of which did not allow for someone to leave a mess behind. It is a sign of respect of the space, tools and person that allowed you to use their space. Cleaning is paramount to keeping a shop running well. This and many other philosophies I can relate to in the book. I would be lying if I said by the end of learning these similarities that it didn’t give me a boost of confidence. It’s good to know that I have some building principles and beliefs in common with such epic makers.

You can pick up the book in many places such as Barns & Nobles, Tested.com, or any online book store.