Precision vs Accuracy; Are they not the same?

 One thing that gets people all caught up is getting too focused on the wrong things.  For example, when many people try to generally criticize "the handyman" in general,  they often point to distinctions about precision work.

Never-ending that they themselves can't do it or do it well either.  

But, and this also goes hand in hand with my discussions about us handyman types "staying in our lane", it's typically not in our wheelhouse to be doing precision work to begin with.

Precision is for specialists.  Machinists, finish carpenters, professional painters, and folks them that.

What EVERY person, handyman or not, does need to pay attention to is accuracy in our work. Accuracy in most cases, can be more important,  or at least go hand in hand,  with precision. 

For example, if the holes to be drilled into a concrete wall need to be located at 8 inches from the top and 16 inches from the side, then we need to drill those holes accurately.   Because more than likely,  we need to match a mounting plate or similar device that has pre-drilled holes that need to match up.

So, we can't afford to not be accurate in how we mark and drill those holes.  Now the thing that separates accuracy from precision are parameters or tolerances.  A great many things we do is designed to work within specific parameters.   In many cases, we have a bit of flexibility to work with.  For example, for rough carpentry, it's often said that there is an eighth of an inch of tolerance and still have things work out fine.  There is enough "give" or flexibility in the materials and environment that will accommodate that.

Precision,  however,  demands an exact or near exact result.  If it says 2 inches from the left, that means exactly 2 inches.  Not an eighth or a sixteenth or even a sixty-fourth of an inch off.  Precision means within a millimeter or less. 

Again, if we're being honest, most things a handyman does, does not require precision but does require accuracy.  We should most definitely be mindful of being accurate in our work.  

And, in those situations where we take on projects that do require precision,  if we are not also a specialist in that particular area otherwise, we should not be taking work on thar we can't be sure to deliver the necessary results.  It's called staying in our lane.

Some, even many, handyman types are often specialists in one or more areas.  We often pick up other general skills to add to our abilities as we go along.  Sometimes through training, sometimes through schooling, sometimes by personal experience.   In those areas, we strive for accuracy but should not guarantee precision. 

There is nothing wrong with working to accuracy.  It is wrong to boast precision if you can't ensure it.  That is for trained specialists that we can make referrals to.