The author of the content bought some cheap tongue and groove pine boards from a local store with the intention of using them to make a shelf under the darkroom sink. However, he found that most of the boards that the store had on display were either warped or had other defects. He managed to pick out five good ones and used a spare cut-off from a previous project to complete the project even though it turned out that the cut-off was not as long as he had initially thought, which left him two boards short.
After considering his options, the author decided to use the scrap ends of the new boards to try joining them with a scarf joint, something he had been aware of but had not tried before. He chose this method because the piece of furniture he was making was functional and not fine woodworking, and he was aware that none of the boards would be under a significant amount of stress. He marked out a possible scarf on the board and then cut out the shape, successfully transferring it to the other board, despite some difficulties in getting them to match up.
Overall, the author’s experience highlights the importance of being flexible and adaptable when working on projects, especially when it comes to dealing with unexpected obstacles or material shortages. It also emphasizes the benefits of exploring new techniques and trying out new methods to solve problems, as this can lead to unexpected successes and even improve one’s skills and abilities as a craftsman or DIY enthusiast.