Alone again, naturally

Unless you own or work in a big shop, chances are you work alone like I do.

My woodshop has always been in my home, and I’ve never had any employees. So, naturally, I work by myself. I’ve never had an issue with that and enjoy the solitude. But my wife is a substitute teacher, meaning she has lots of time to travel or do things with friends, leaving me alone not just in my shop, but in the whole house.

Again, I’m generally fine with that. Sally being out of the house means no interruption to figure out her computer issue du jour, no one sneaking up on cat feet behind me while I work (except the cats), and no issue with working as long as I want. When I’m done working, I don’t have to worry about making the bed, doing the dishes, or picking up socks. It’s like being a bachelor again.

But working totally alone also compounds anything dangerous that might happen, and I can’t ignore that. Whether it’s something as serious as a potential table saw or router accident, or something lesser like pulling out my back by trying to lift something I shouldn’t have by myself, there’s a consequence to not having someone to call for upstairs.

But it’s the way I’ve always worked, and so I’ve developed habits over the years that I think have made me a better and, more importantly, safer woodworker. I’ve always been careful, thinking twice about every move or process I do. But my awareness of danger went way up when I accepted that if something happens and the house is empty, I am totally on my own.

So, I’ve developed safety strategies essential for working alone that are good practices to follow all the time. After years of doing so, it’s second nature now whether Sally’s home or not. That not only makes my shop solitude more enjoyable, but ensures I’ll be around a long time to enjoy it.