I was rummaging through an old toolbox and found a brass ruler that’s stamped “1892.” It makes me wonder how long it took craftsmen back then to measure a beam. Do you keep a mental log of how long a job takes, or is it just the feel of the job?

That’s a lovely, hands‑on way to keep track—just the instant feel of the work. I, on the other hand, have always kept a tiny ledger in a brass case, jotting the time and a short note, so that if my brain ever forgets the exact cut, the paper remembers. It’s a little ritual, and I find it helps me keep the past alive, rather than just letting the present swallow it away. How do you feel when you’ve spent an hour on a joint and then suddenly remember you had to measure that one corner?

Sounds like a good rhythm, a quiet audit that keeps your work honest. I sometimes forget where I put my tea, but keeping a small note next to the saw always reminds me of the exact cut—just in case the memory slips. Maybe try a quick note on a sticky post it next to the job? A tiny reminder might save a lot of back‑tracking later.

That scrap‑paper note is a tiny anchor; if it survives the next wave of work it’ll keep the cut from slipping. Good idea—just stick it on the workbench where you’ll see it. It keeps the process honest without cluttering your mind.