hello to all,
I’ve been poking around here for a few weeks and I suppose I should have introduced myself by now, but better late than never. I apologize if it runs a bit long, but I figure if I’m already writing I might as well go the whole hog.
My name is David Ring. I was born into a woodworking family in eastern PA, and spent a good portion of my childhood sitting on my father’s bench. By the time I turned 6 he decided that I should have my own bench and tools (do you think he just wanted his bench space free?). That was over 50 years ago. A handful of the tools he gave me are still in use, and through all my life’s unexpected turns I’ve always since been accompanied by one workbench or another.
Years ago, my young wife and I left the States and ended up living in Israel, in a small remote village in the Galilee. I arrived with a modest toolbox and lots of enthusiasm, hoping to establish a small shop in what seemed like an idyllic setting. But the realities were almost overwhelming: there is no locally grown lumber at all, very few tools to be found, and no woodworking tradition to speak of (I am well aware that a famous carpenter once lived in the hills nearby, in Nazareth. Another story entirely.) Worst of all, there seemed to be no clientele willing to pay for custom-made cabinets. Well… I couldn’t possibly go into all the ups-and-downs, but fast-forward 30 years or so. There are 6 of us working in the shop nowadays, doing only custom work (mostly kitchens). My daughter is our full-time designer in charge of client relations. About a year ago I handed over the day-to-day running of the business to the younger generation (2 of my kids have been working with me for several years). As a result I now have the luxury of coming to work as a simple craftsman again, and I am enjoying it thoroghly. It also explains why I have some time to poke around websites.
If you’ve had the patience to read this far, I finally come to the question, and I would appreciate some impartial feedback. I am seriously considering writing a book about trying to make a living from woodworking. I make no claims to be an expert, just someone who has tried a lot of things, some right and some wrong, and who now has a certain perspective on the path he chose. I see that the threads regarding this question always provoke a lot of opinions. Is there a market out there for such a book?
Any comments on this idea would be welcome. I could obviously write just for my own pleasure, but this is missing half the point. What do you think?
DR
oh, and just to satisfy some whim, here’s a photo from my son’s kitchen, just finished last year. French oak cabinets, old stone floor, and out the window – the hills of Galilee.
Replies
Just DO IT! As far as i'm concerned you can't get too many perspectives. And I been doin this for 40 years and still learning. But i think (not being religious) It would be interesting to insperse what carpentry was like back in the days of that famous carpenter.
There are four boxes to be used in defence of liberty: soap, ballot, jury and ammo. Please use in that order - Ed Howdershelt
Well you had me hooked within a couple of lines so I would say do it! I like your sons kitchen, what is the black detail on the bottom of the legs? Nice to meet you, Peter.
thanks for the reply. Just a technical note - the "black" feet on the kitchen are actually square cups made out of brass and antiqued. We have them made to order (http://www.tansuhardware.com) and use them to protect the wooden legs from water damage.
DR
Ring
I too have been a woodworker for many years but not as a profession. I was always the person getting this tool or that formy Dad. They were always afraid I would injure myself so not much encouragement from Mom or Dad. Later on in life they saw that I was careful and did get a lot of support. The kitchen looks really great. I was in Isreal In 2000 for about 2 weeks and then on to Germany to see the Passion Play. I hope to come back when things cool down a little bit. Things were just getting heated up when we were their with skirmishes in the street etc. About the book I think it would be a great idea.
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Welcome, and come on in. Write the book! Everyone who does this for a living has information to share that can be usefull to all of us. And the kitchen looks good, with the black accent on the bottom adding a nice touch.
Here's looking forward to your future book and forum posts.
Ring,
I would certainly buy the book and thanks for the picture. I am going to forward the picture to my brother who has been to Galilee on a number of occasions. He has undergone a terrible loss this past week (his wife) and I know this picture will raise his spirits, especially at this holy time. Go for it and let us know when the book is out!
Regards,
Buzzsaw
Ring,
As others have said, write the book! Another perspective is always a good thing.
The kitchen is way too much! The cabinetry, flooring, ceiling, windows and the view are more than my old heart could handle. I'd want to do nothing but sit in the middle of the room and take it all in! The photo looks professional also.
Best Regards,
Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting
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Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
Book ideas in their nascent state don't count. You must at least create a chapter outline. From there, if you still feel the book is inside you, begin writing with the objective of sending a query letter with a portion of the manuscript to a publisher (Taunton Press?). Most editors would like to see a couple of chapters minimum, often the first two and last. An agent is not essential, but sometimes having one is helpful in the initial stages of looking for a publisher and often an agent can serve as an editor, although the market for a woodworking book per se is rather easy to reach. If you have in mind a book that is broader than just woodworking, it will be a different ballgme. Good luck.
Ring,
WRITE the BOOK. Sure it may take you sometime but if you write as well as your wood working skills, I can't wait to buy it. I myself have a book of notes that one day I'll publish. But I still have a lot to experience.
Joe
Ring,
As everyone else has said write the book.
A thought.
As a weekend woodworker for about the last 15 years (where did the time go) and as an architect one of the things I have always found lacking in books which are trying to tell you how to do something is that they never tell you how to do it really. I have often thought of writing instructions, step by step, for something. Over the years I have taught myself CAD drawing, woodworking but I haven't tried open heart surgery yet. I have, with all my endeavors longed for a book of instructions.
Just a thought
ASKotlen
Hello David,
My advise to you is to write the book in Hebrew. There are no books on this subject in Hebrew, so if you will be able to write or even translate a good book you will make a difference. It will help educate people unexposed to fine woodworking.
I was in Israel some years back.. It was passover.. I think.. Geeeeeeee I could got get any food I wanted! Just what they had.. Geeeee..
I loved ya folks anyway!
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