Isn't that just how big corps handle volume though?

Seriously, it builds the same spatial sense that lets you judge a corner in a truck by how you park a toy car. Your hands learn the physics at a safe scale.

25 degrees off doesn't seem that bad to me. My last oven was way worse and I just changed the baking time. Maybe try lowering the temp a bit and see if that helps.

That RAPID breakdown usually means your water ratio was off from the start. Nailing the mix prevents the whole bomb-defusing panic.

The 'stop being just a tool' bit... I never saw it that way before.