Someone wrote a blog at Lumberjocks.com about how non-woodworkers have
all sorts of false assumptions about woodworkers. I thought it was a
fun question, so I'm starting this thread here . I spend 10 times more
time on this post than I did on my original reply.
Here was my original reply: "For me a woodworker is an artist, a
designer, a craftsman, and an (old-school) engineer. The same could be
said of a metalworker, except a woodworker primarily works with wood.
Surely, every informed and thoughtful person has their own perspective."
It feels suffiently-grandiose to say I like woodworking because I
appreciate developing or further developing my skills as an artist, a
designer, a craftsman, and an (old-school) engineer. But something
essential is still missing: Maybe some sort of pride, maybe something
familial, maybe something else?
In one of my old books, I read recently that "long ago people
adored/respected (worshipped?) the trees because they were from the sun
and provided for fire". Yeah, maybe that's it--I like the solemness of
that remark! : )
Have fun!
Bill
Being a professional woodworker took the joy out of it for me. I
honestly wish I was one of the guys that would slide down to Woodcraft
on their late night, maybe on the weekend that bends someone's ear off
about their latest project.
Or the guy that pontificates over a pot of coffee about his weekend
skills compare or exceed with most professionals he has seen, while
all the noobs nod in awe.
I wouldn't mind being the guy that had the most expensive equipment
available in my shop so I could let it slip, slyly let the others know
they were in the presence of a "real" woodworker. No matter I rarely
used it, never used it to its potential, and when I did only used
about 20% (or less) of the machine's capability.
I started out in woodworking at the very bottom (with a broom) when I
went into it as a profession. The first 5 -6 years were great. There
was so much to learn, so many techniques, so many good opinions, and
so much practice that needed to be done that it was a great job. Over
time, (especially since I started my own company waaay back there) the
woodworking becomes less and less attractive, and more about getting
the job done. Add almost 30 years to that...
Believe me; it doesn't just get old. It gets to be painful
sometimes.
What I enjoy about woodworking now is teaching others. I get a real
kick out of seeing how proud folks are of putting up their own crown
molding, building a small cabinet or tables. And you can bet they all
need help with finishing.
Karl and Leon are rare. Karl is an independent (man... is there a
word for independent squared?) that picks and chooses his projects
and takes the ones he wants. His love of the craft and dedication to
turning out a fine product is evident when you see the attention he
puts to his projects. The fire is still there. Enough that he still
builds projects for his own edification, and he has built some
absolutely beautiful work that resides in his own house.
Leon, well... Leon in an artist. I know he helps out Karl on
occasion and also does work professionally. But the work he does on
his own, working away in his shop is just outstanding. He carefully
chooses materials, renders his own designs, and executes it all in his
shop. No less independent than Karl, just less noisy about it. ;^)
For both of them this is another chapter in their lives. Both have
had long careers doing different things that had nothing to do with
cabinetry. I took a detour away from construction, but was back after
a short while. And of course, I started another company doing what I
knew, carpentry work.
I lost my keen interest when I started my company as a carpentry
outfit, and you have to draw the line between production value (end
product) vs. cost to produce. If all of your work is nearly perfect
(Karl, Leon) few can afford your work. Your audience is small. You
will likely starve to death. You certainly won't support buying a
house, trucks, pay for an office, woodworking equipment and its
maintenance, an occasional helper etc., building 4 - 5 artisan grade
pieces a year.
For all of us that have gone down that road, we have a great
philosophy. If you want to be a successful, artistic woodworker, make
sure you wife has a good job, or you have a great retirement from your
first career. Then you can be independent, and pick and choose the
jobs you want to take on.
Just my 0.02.
Robert
"Bill" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> Someone wrote a blog at Lumberjocks.com about how non-woodworkers have all
> sorts of false assumptions about woodworkers. I thought it was a fun
> question, so I'm starting this thread here . I spend 10 times more time
> on this post than I did on my original reply.
>
> Here was my original reply: "For me a woodworker is an artist, a
> designer, a craftsman, and an (old-school) engineer. The same could be
> said of a metalworker, except a woodworker primarily works with wood.
> Surely, every informed and thoughtful person has their own perspective."
>
> It feels suffiently-grandiose to say I like woodworking because I
> appreciate developing or further developing my skills as an artist, a
> designer, a craftsman, and an (old-school) engineer. But something
> essential is still missing: Maybe some sort of pride, maybe something
> familial, maybe something else?
>
> In one of my old books, I read recently that "long ago people
> adored/respected (worshipped?) the trees because they were from the sun
> and provided for fire". Yeah, maybe that's it--I like the solemness of
> that remark! : )
>
> Have fun!
>
> Bill
>
IMHO a woodworker is a person that works with wood.
I have had the enormous pleasure and enjoyment of doing so for nigh on fifty
years. It's a healthy craft, exercising mind and body. The offcuts (and
cock-ups) help to warm the house in winter.
For me working with wood is bloody good therapy, helps to relieve worries.
Helps me to realise there is a real world, take a step back, and appreciate
it. Most of all, I love to work with wood. To think of a project, think it
out, design it, re-design it.....oh balls this would be better.... back to
the drawing board. Make it and make it happen. See an item in use and get
some little satisfaction from it.
About thirty five years ago I was asked to take down a perfectly healthy
English oak that stood 70ft tall. This because it was in the way of a
development and for no other reason. I did so and even whilst doing so I
thought that I should not be doing this. I retained all the timber, had it
sawn and used it for making stuff for the benefit of local hospitals,
hospices, charities etc. Still have a few bits left, and they are treasured.
Since then I have grown hardwood saplings from seed every year. These are
planted out on my on ground and in local amenity areas (parks, playgrounds,
hospitals etc) at no cost. I think I have planted about 3000 so far.
I'm not going to live long enough to see the benefits of these but my
children may and their children probably will.
Unless of course some idiot with a chainsaw comes along.
That is but one of the reasons why I love working with wood. It makes me
think outside the (wooden) box.
Nick.
"Bill" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> Someone wrote a blog at Lumberjocks.com about how non-woodworkers have all
> sorts of false assumptions about woodworkers. I thought it was a fun
> question, so I'm starting this thread here . I spend 10 times more time
> on this post than I did on my original reply.
The only way to capture the broad spectrum of people who think of themselves
as woodworkers is to say "a woodworker is anyone whom has altered wood in
some manner."
Clearly there is a wide spectrum of skills and interests captured by that
statement. For example, I recently encountered a guy who went on and on
about the things he makes from wood. When I later saw photos of his stuff I
thought it was the crates that his stuff was moved in... "rustic" would be a
kind way of describing it. Of course my eye has been altered by my
experiences. Reading things like Fine Woodworking, Woodwork, and other
periodicals and books, and my affiliation with Northeastern Woodworkers
Association where I've come to meet and know myriad professional and
middling to high high end non-professionals, has given me a different eye...
In no way do I feel that I know everything but I can fix my mistakes!
John
"Nick" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
>
> "Bill" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>
>> Someone wrote a blog at Lumberjocks.com about how non-woodworkers
>> have all sorts of false assumptions about woodworkers. I thought it
>> was a fun question, so I'm starting this thread here . I spend 10
>> times more time on this post than I did on my original reply.
>>
>> Here was my original reply: "For me a woodworker is an artist, a
>> designer, a craftsman, and an (old-school) engineer. The same could
>> be said of a metalworker, except a woodworker primarily works with
>> wood. Surely, every informed and thoughtful person has their own
>> perspective."
>>
>> It feels suffiently-grandiose to say I like woodworking because I
>> appreciate developing or further developing my skills as an artist, a
>> designer, a craftsman, and an (old-school) engineer. But something
>> essential is still missing: Maybe some sort of pride, maybe something
>> familial, maybe something else?
>>
>> In one of my old books, I read recently that "long ago people
>> adored/respected (worshipped?) the trees because they were from the
>> sun and provided for fire". Yeah, maybe that's it--I like the
>> solemness of that remark! : )
>>
>> Have fun!
>>
>> Bill
>>
> IMHO a woodworker is a person that works with wood.
> I have had the enormous pleasure and enjoyment of doing so for nigh on
> fifty years. It's a healthy craft, exercising mind and body. The
> offcuts (and cock-ups) help to warm the house in winter.
> For me working with wood is bloody good therapy, helps to relieve
> worries. Helps me to realise there is a real world, take a step back,
> and appreciate it. Most of all, I love to work with wood. To think of
> a project, think it out, design it, re-design it.....oh balls this
> would be better.... back to the drawing board. Make it and make it
> happen. See an item in use and get some little satisfaction from it.
> About thirty five years ago I was asked to take down a perfectly
> healthy English oak that stood 70ft tall. This because it was in the
> way of a development and for no other reason. I did so and even whilst
> doing so I thought that I should not be doing this. I retained all the
> timber, had it sawn and used it for making stuff for the benefit of
> local hospitals, hospices, charities etc. Still have a few bits left,
> and they are treasured. Since then I have grown hardwood saplings from
> seed every year. These are planted out on my on ground and in local
> amenity areas (parks, playgrounds, hospitals etc) at no cost. I think
> I have planted about 3000 so far. I'm not going to live long enough to
> see the benefits of these but my children may and their children
> probably will. Unless of course some idiot with a chainsaw comes
> along.
>
> That is but one of the reasons why I love working with wood. It makes
> me think outside the (wooden) box.
>
> Nick.
>
>
>
Bravo! Very well said.
On 3/29/2012 1:10 AM, Dave wrote:
> On Wed, 28 Mar 2012 23:38:18 -0400, Bill<[email protected]> wrote:
>> Here was my original reply: "For me a woodworker is an artist, a
>> designer, a craftsman, and an (old-school) engineer. The same could be
>> said of a metalworker, except a woodworker primarily works with wood.
>> Surely, every informed and thoughtful person has their own perspective."
>
> I think it all depends on what kind of woodworking we do. My start in
> woodworking came about as a child invading my father's workshop.
>
> At the age of eighteen, my woodworking advanced to the next step as a
> result of my being given full and completely free access to an empty
> basement under a store for a period of six to seven years. That was my
> first workshop and when I bought my first table saw. It was also at
> that time that I did a stint of five to six years as a contractor.
>
> But, that's where my professional life in woodworking ended because of
> life changes. Since then, all my wood crafting has been as a hobbyist,
> building what I needed or wanted for myself and a few friends.
>
> I've often considered what might have happened if those life changes
> hadn't occurred ~ I may have ended up doing a Leon or a Swingman type
> of woodworking, but I'm sort of glad I didn't. I've found more than
> once when I do something professionally, my enjoyment of it changes to
> a type of obligation. Currently, I like the woodworking I do. It's
> given me enjoyment throughout the years. I'd be disappointed if that
> like changed into something else.
Same here. My wife wants me to consider this for a profession and get
out of IT. But its the place I get enjoyment from. And if I get rid of
that, then I have to find something else. And I wouldn't want to, I get
a lot of enjoyment from building things, and sometimes not.
"Bill" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
>
> Someone wrote a blog at Lumberjocks.com about how non-woodworkers have all sorts of
> false assumptions about woodworkers. I thought it was a fun question, so I'm
> starting this thread here . I spend 10 times more time on this post than I did on
> my original reply.
>
> Here was my original reply: "For me a woodworker is an artist, a designer, a
> craftsman, and an (old-school) engineer. The same could be said of a metalworker,
> except a woodworker primarily works with wood. Surely, every informed and
> thoughtful person has their own perspective."
>
> It feels suffiently-grandiose to say I like woodworking because I appreciate
> developing or further developing my skills as an artist, a designer, a craftsman,
> and an (old-school) engineer. But something essential is still missing: Maybe some
> sort of pride, maybe something familial, maybe something else?
>
> In one of my old books, I read recently that "long ago people adored/respected
> (worshipped?) the trees because they were from the sun and provided for fire".
> Yeah, maybe that's it--I like the solemness of that remark! : )
>
> Have fun!
>
> Bill
>
A woodworker takes large pieces of wood and cuts them up into
small pieces; then glues the small pieces together to make large pieces.
Art
"Steve" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Nick" <[email protected]> wrote in
> news:[email protected]:
>
>>
>> "Bill" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>>
>>> Someone wrote a blog at Lumberjocks.com about how non-woodworkers
>>> have all sorts of false assumptions about woodworkers. I thought it
>>> was a fun question, so I'm starting this thread here . I spend 10
>>> times more time on this post than I did on my original reply.
>>>
>>> Here was my original reply: "For me a woodworker is an artist, a
>>> designer, a craftsman, and an (old-school) engineer. The same could
>>> be said of a metalworker, except a woodworker primarily works with
>>> wood. Surely, every informed and thoughtful person has their own
>>> perspective."
>>>
>>> It feels suffiently-grandiose to say I like woodworking because I
>>> appreciate developing or further developing my skills as an artist, a
>>> designer, a craftsman, and an (old-school) engineer. But something
>>> essential is still missing: Maybe some sort of pride, maybe something
>>> familial, maybe something else?
>>>
>>> In one of my old books, I read recently that "long ago people
>>> adored/respected (worshipped?) the trees because they were from the
>>> sun and provided for fire". Yeah, maybe that's it--I like the
>>> solemness of that remark! : )
>>>
>>> Have fun!
>>>
>>> Bill
>>>
>> IMHO a woodworker is a person that works with wood.
>> I have had the enormous pleasure and enjoyment of doing so for nigh on
>> fifty years. It's a healthy craft, exercising mind and body. The
>> offcuts (and cock-ups) help to warm the house in winter.
>> For me working with wood is bloody good therapy, helps to relieve
>> worries. Helps me to realise there is a real world, take a step back,
>> and appreciate it. Most of all, I love to work with wood. To think of
>> a project, think it out, design it, re-design it.....oh balls this
>> would be better.... back to the drawing board. Make it and make it
>> happen. See an item in use and get some little satisfaction from it.
>> About thirty five years ago I was asked to take down a perfectly
>> healthy English oak that stood 70ft tall. This because it was in the
>> way of a development and for no other reason. I did so and even whilst
>> doing so I thought that I should not be doing this. I retained all the
>> timber, had it sawn and used it for making stuff for the benefit of
>> local hospitals, hospices, charities etc. Still have a few bits left,
>> and they are treasured. Since then I have grown hardwood saplings from
>> seed every year. These are planted out on my on ground and in local
>> amenity areas (parks, playgrounds, hospitals etc) at no cost. I think
>> I have planted about 3000 so far. I'm not going to live long enough to
>> see the benefits of these but my children may and their children
>> probably will. Unless of course some idiot with a chainsaw comes
>> along.
>>
>> That is but one of the reasons why I love working with wood. It makes
>> me think outside the (wooden) box.
>>
>> Nick.
>>
>>
>>
>
> Bravo! Very well said.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xvxk9SrhSuk
A fun show I saw the other day. On the program, they showed the appraiser
inspecting the merchandise, and telling how Finster was a preacher, and made
the furniture for fun, then quit preaching and did it for a living. He then
went on to do the artwork on several major recording artists album covers in
the 60's. Guess one does not have to make massive cabinets that sell for
$1350 when you can make $1350 worth of doll furniture with just the scraps.
I work with metal. Have welded since 1974. I have work at Hoover Dam that
will be there for 100 years or more. I have made several objects d' art
that I'm not sure where they are. Several commercial projects still stand
in Las Vegas of mine. I just went and inspected a property that had some
welding I did 22 years ago, and it looked mighty fine still.
I think there's no real definitive answer to what is a ****worker, whatever
**** is to you. It's just someone who likes to make things with their
hands, and let a little part of their brain show to the public.
Wood, metal, paintings, whatever, there's stuff I like, and stuff that I
wouldn't spend a dime on. And that has no relation to the real retail value
of the object or not.
To me, a lot of time, it's just about having fun, building stuff I can't
buy, and being able to stand back, and when people ask, I can say, "I built
it."
Then there's the time I can get away to the containers, me and the dogs,
crank up the old tunes, and escape all the politics, SWMBO, and reality. If
only for a short while.
$.02 from the cheap seats
Steve
On Wed, 28 Mar 2012 23:38:18 -0400, Bill <[email protected]> wrote:
>Here was my original reply: "For me a woodworker is an artist, a
>designer, a craftsman, and an (old-school) engineer. The same could be
>said of a metalworker, except a woodworker primarily works with wood.
>Surely, every informed and thoughtful person has their own perspective."
I think it all depends on what kind of woodworking we do. My start in
woodworking came about as a child invading my father's workshop.
At the age of eighteen, my woodworking advanced to the next step as a
result of my being given full and completely free access to an empty
basement under a store for a period of six to seven years. That was my
first workshop and when I bought my first table saw. It was also at
that time that I did a stint of five to six years as a contractor.
But, that's where my professional life in woodworking ended because of
life changes. Since then, all my wood crafting has been as a hobbyist,
building what I needed or wanted for myself and a few friends.
I've often considered what might have happened if those life changes
hadn't occurred ~ I may have ended up doing a Leon or a Swingman type
of woodworking, but I'm sort of glad I didn't. I've found more than
once when I do something professionally, my enjoyment of it changes to
a type of obligation. Currently, I like the woodworking I do. It's
given me enjoyment throughout the years. I'd be disappointed if that
like changed into something else.