Thinking back to filing sights by hand in my early days

We didn't have digital readouts, just eyes and feel. It took longer, but the fit was perfect. How do you balance old skills with new tech?

4 comments

4 Comments

oscar_morgan221mo ago

Funny you mention that, it's like learning to drive stick before getting an automatic. Sure the new digital stuff is faster, but your hands already know what right feels like. I still do rough adjustments by feel before even turning on the laser level. Lets me trust the tech instead of just relying on it.

betty_coleman1mo ago

On my last pour, I had the kid set forms by hand first. Then we hit them with the laser, and he saw how close his guess was. That's the trust @oscar_morgan22 talks about, your gut check before the gadget. Now he doesn't panic if the battery dies lol.

ray64323d ago

Man, that's the best way to learn for sure. It's like letting the kid see he's not totally lost without the tech, so the laser becomes a cool tool and not a magic box. Otherwise you get guys who just stare at the screen and forget how to use a tape measure, lmao. Gotta know how to work when the fancy stuff gives up on you.

lee5821mo ago

Guess I see where you're coming from, but sometimes that feel can fool you. Like with filing sights, your eyes might think it's perfect, but a digital readout shows a tiny gap you missed. Tech isn't just for checking, it's for learning what right really looks like over time. So you end up trusting both your hands and the numbers, not just picking one. That balance takes practice, but it keeps you honest.