Replies

1. 
   jackiechan | Feb 06, 2003 07:02am | #1

   Byron,

   The best place to start is at your local public library.  Most main branches have an audio/visual department, and you may be surprised to find many of the woodworking videos available for free.  The videos from Taunton and Fine Woodworking tend to be a staple in most collections.

   The Nashville Public Library has a great collection of videos.  Here is a link to their site http://www.library.nashville.org/Index.html Do a catalog search, and specify video recordings.

   If you have any specific questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

   Dan Kornfeld, Owner/President - Odyssey Wood Design, Inc.

2. 
   davamoore | Feb 06, 2003 04:45pm | #2

   Byron, where in the country are you located?  Self-practice and videos can be very helpful (I just bought the Leonard Lee video on tool sharpening, and found it to be very good, offering clear demonstrations of what he wrote about in his book), but sometimes there's just no substitute for the real thing.

   Anyway, perhaps some people might know of classes in your area (although it sounds as if you've done a search already).

   David

   "The world that was not made is not won by what is done" -- Mundaka Upanishad

1. 
   Byron | Feb 06, 2003 04:59pm | #3

   I live near Nashville, TN. I know Lonnie Bird holds classes near Knoxville.  The cost is a bit high plus they are more than one or two days long and taking off work that long would be pretty difficult.  I would love to be able to go to Massachusetts and take the two year coursework from Phil Lowe, but I like to eat.....LOL.  That is why I thought the videos would be worth a try.  I looked at my local library like the other person suggested, but I only found a few books that I do not already own.  Thanks for your help.

   Byron

1. 
   ownersrep | Feb 06, 2003 07:58pm | #4

   Bryon,

   Back to your original question, which I think was Marc Adams videos, I set through one of Marc's one day demos at the local WW show and was impressed enough with the man that I bought a couple of his videos.  He is certainly knowledgable and the videos are more professional than most WW videos.  They were worth while to me because I was just starting and was desperate for information.  I since seen enough other quality wood workers to know that there are a lot of ways to do the same thing and none of them are wrong (except my way).

   The videos were good for me and he does beautiful work.

   Jim

1. 
   Byron | Feb 06, 2003 08:11pm | #5

   That is the information I was looking for.  Thank you for your help.  It is much easier to spend $240 on videos than to take time off work or spend $800 on a class.  I appreciate your assistance.

   Byron

1. 
   ownersrep | Feb 06, 2003 09:51pm | #7

   Bryon,

   Pick and choose, I didn't buy all, just the ones that I thought would be most useful.  You can always add more if you like.  Mine are a very good reference and introduction to a lot of things I didn't know (most everything).

   Good Luck,

   Jim

2. 
   Jeff | Feb 07, 2003 03:24am | #9

   Jim

   Any idea where to get these.

   I've never seen them in a catalog.

   Jeff

1. 
   Byron | Feb 07, 2003 05:04am | #10

   I think you can only purchase them form Marc Adams at http://www.marcadams.com  THis is the website for his furniture making school.   

2. 
   Jeff | Feb 07, 2003 03:06pm | #11

   Thank you, I'll check it out.

   Jeff

2. 
   davamoore | Feb 07, 2003 04:39pm | #12

   Byron, sorry I couldn't be more helpful, but I'm still hoping that someone from Tennessee will read this post and be able to clue you in on affordable, reasonable classes in your area.  When I started taking courses in woodworking, I thought I'd researched them all in my area, but then a few people pointed me to resources that I hadn't even heard about.  Maybe the same will happen for you; as others, including me, have said, books and videos are excellent, but you'd be amazed at how much and how fast you learn when someone can respond and demonstrate directly.

   Are there any woodworking groups or clubs in your area?  Even if they don't do the type of work you're ultimately interested in, experienced non-professionals can offer a lot of good, free advice.  I've even heard of people making private arrangements with more experienced woodworkers, to learn, assist with large projects, etc.  That may be one way of addressing the cost/travel/time issues you face.

   Also, I've never seen a Marc Adams video, so I can't comment on them.  The best I can offer is that I'm taking a couple of classes at his school this summer... but offering feedback on that experience might be too little, too late, then and now.  In any case, you're probably realizing by now that in order to improve your woodworking skills, you need to make some sort of tradeoff or sacrifices, whether that involves time, money or just proceeding at a slower pace than you'd like.

   Good luck,

   David"The world that was not made is not won by what is done" -- Mundaka Upanishad

3. 
   sushi | Feb 06, 2003 09:32pm | #6

   HI Byron,  I have seen a couple of the Marc adams tapes and I think they are very well done.   You will probably learn a great deal from them.  I think the tapes would be an aid to books and vice versa.  Are there any community colleges around you that offer woodworking classes?  If you live near a big city there should be something close.  Pete

1. 
   Byron | Feb 06, 2003 10:07pm | #8

   Pete,

   Thanks!  The closest college with woodworking is about 1 hour and 15 minutes from where I live.  Tennessee Tech. University.   I will keep looking though.  I appreciate your response.

   Byron