I've heard of a couple of CEOs, and a few freelancers now doing hands on things in their downtime.

IMHO, software development is a rollercoaster of exciting highs and lows. While woodwork, creating something tangible with your hands... it's something else. It's a perfectly balanced sweet continuous feeling of pure zen that you don't want to stop.

I believe it can make you more productive when you return to your main work.