A few weeks ago, a few of you were talking about learning to trust the previous cut to measure the next, instead of using the tape every time. Thanks for that. I thought I was being a good boy by always measuring twice before each cut, but I'd still always get 1-2mm of slop. Put together 2x tabletops yesterday and everything fit really well. I tried 45d miters again and they're much better than my last attempt. 3 of the 4 on each table are perfect top to bottom. Each has 1 corner that looks like a 0.5mm, consistent gap. Not all that mad about it.
I started actually using the wood conditioner, and like a true expert, actually following the instructions. Big improvement on the appearance (pine).
Also, there's a rental house down the street and the owner kicked out the tenants last month. He's right across the street from my mother in law and she was chatting him up last week. He's a 65yo retired carpenter that's moving in to his rental. Mother in law was telling him about me and said "he's really handy, but he's trying to make furniture now and he's frustrated he doesn't know how to do any of that type of woodworking". She said he got excited and wants to work with me on some stuff (and burst out laughing when she told him I just got a hand planer). She told him what I do for work and about the laser cutter and what not, then the guy told her we're already best friends and he'll bring a 6 pack over next weekend.
So, sounds like I finally got my wish. Some old shitbird to sit in the shop with me and heckle me while I'm fucking stuff up. I might wander over there today with my daughter and introduce myself. He built some chicken coop mansion I want to check out anyways.