Replies

1. 
   wundernaloud | Aug 11, 2003 10:30am | #1

   What do you mean when you say your a newbie. new to woodworking ? Do you have any initial thoughts on the question you asked I'd be intrested in hearing them. I started wood working after pursuing a masters in fine art (painting specifically) so initially. I wanted some of the limitations the tecnical aspects would imp ose on the design. but the  more you become ingrossed in the process the more you look for technics to achieve your design concepts.

   I keep asking the question why is some wood work embraced by the fine arts community and some is not. "Atistry in wood", "fine functional furniture". Who decides.

   Sometimes I think its the art of life that imposses its evidence on pieces of work that will offer the work up to the ages as something to be cherished and revered. Pieces that are "placed on a pedestal" and protected because fo their initial preceived value will not get the design changes  the acts of life  can bring.

   Picasso,Norman Rockwell , you will find lovers and haters of both but they were both very good at their craft. But they each had different  ways of expressing their life experiences.

   A painter once said to me "you've gotta do what ever it takes to get you where you want to go"

   Norm was an invaluable source for learning a lot about woodworking in my own living room but he does more turning then I'm intrested in . Every once in a while he will use a block plane or a spokeshave ,that will get my attention. 

   there's my wandering thoughts for know. See what your question did to someone who started working wood seeking structure.

   pleasant screams.

2. 
   fredsmart48 | Aug 11, 2003 10:39am | #2

   Most people don’t use nail guns to hold things together until the glue dries.

   Most people can’t cut and assemble and put a finish the project in and 1 hour.

   ; }

3. 
   jonsherryl | Aug 11, 2003 05:27pm | #3

   Dajinx, Norm is a carpenter-come-cabinetmaker. He's an incredible tool hound and a hopeless lover of gadgets. But he's also amazingly skilled in translating the construction methods found in old furniture designs into modern (and usually practical) joinery and assembly processes, requiring very little skill to execute...And, unfortunately, those are his attributes that make him the daily target of incoming rounds from purists everywhere.

   I've seen him do a few things that made me cringe...like constructing a piece of furniture out of salt impregnated Douglas-fir, cut from old bridge beams...not that salvaging wood isn't a noble pursuit...but using salt impregnated wood can be a powerful mistake...And another thing that grindes me is he's so into bisquits, he ought to open a bakery...But anyone who has developed their understanding of woodworking from other, more traditional sources will harbor their own, subjective opinions that are contrary to the teachings of Norm.

   I think the more important point is that Norm has probably done more to interest beginners in our craft, and to help give them the confidence to try their hand at it, than anyone else in our time. He's a nice guy (so I've heard...Ive never met him personally, although I've had some minor contact with the This Old House operation) and there's no doubt in my mind that he's a credit to our craft. Learning what you can from him is a great place to start...You'll soon find the merits of a subscription to Fine WoodWorking as you become curious about traditional methods and how other, experienced woodworkers practice their craft...The key is; just get on with the learning process by actually doing it. It's experience that really counts. 

1. 
   scooter1 | Aug 12, 2003 03:47am | #6

   Great post, Jon!

   I couldn't have done better.

   Regards,

   Boris

   "Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934

2. 
   rreeger | Aug 12, 2003 04:14am | #7

   Jon,

   My chance to learn something here...  Not that I would know where I would find any or what I would try to use it for.  But, what is the problem with working with salt impregnated Douglas fir? 

   RR

1. 
   jonsherryl | Aug 12, 2003 05:11am | #9

   RR, salt is even more hygroscopic than wood...meaning it has an exceptionally strong affinity for moisture...so it affects the moisture retention of the wood (higher EMC levels.)

   This drifts from the topic a little, but it's a cute story:

    Many years ago, one of the major gun manufacturers (I think Browning ?) tried to speed up the seasoning of their gunstocks by laying them down in salt (like you'd season pork.) They sold a number of guns stocked with this salty walnut before they realized that the residual salt in the wood was causing the stock to maintain a higher moisture content...which, in turn, was causing the barrels to rust out.. For all I know, they're still replacing them.

   The use of salty wood in cabinet making risks a similar problem with respect to the corrosion of metal fasteners and hardware. Probably doesn't help the longevity of finishes either, but that would depend upon the chemistry of whatever finish you used.  

   Edited 8/11/2003 10:16:06 PM ET by Jon Arno

1. 
   rreeger | Aug 12, 2003 06:02am | #10

   Jon,

   Thanks for the lesson!  Makes sense!

   RR

4. 
   EdHarrison | Aug 11, 2003 05:32pm | #4

   Ditto what fredsmart said. For me the most fun thing about furniture-making is the joinery. Learning about it, developing skills, performing it. Using a nail gun pretty much zaps all the life out of that deal.

   Ed

5. 
   BertJ | Aug 11, 2003 06:26pm | #5

   In an earlier thread several weeks ago, a knothead posted a question about writing an article for FWW. One of the replies came from a published author who said that FWW seeks projects that offer something new or unique, particularly in joinery or finishing techniques. Unspoken in this thread, but obvious to all subscribers, is the professionalism, consistent quality and attention to detail that endears many of us to FWW.

   BJ

6. 
   NwWiKlutz | Aug 12, 2003 05:00am | #8

   Thank each of you for taking the time to respond...I will be thinking your comments through for quite a while.

   Relative to being a newbie, I have had a lifelong interest in woodworking. Unfortunately, when I was 19 ( quite a while ago) and trying to teach myself how to cut a tenon like a book showed, I had a nasty accident...doctors were able to reattatch 3 out of 5 fingers...so, I am a bit hesitant around some power tools.

   I have decided, though, that it's time to get past that, and would like to build a bit of furniture .Perhaps it's knowing my grandchildren will be able to use those things, and connect with me on some level through them.

   I guess if it takes a day longer to do something, but it lasts 100 years, it was a profitable investment in time.

   I look forward to learning more about the craft, and to get to know this community as well.

1. 
   Alan | Aug 12, 2003 10:19am | #12

   dajinx,

   One thing that you absolutely will not learn from Norm is that you can make fine furniture without using any power tools.

   I can understand why you're leery about power tools.  (I'm leery of them too, and I haven't had the terrible sort of accident that you suffered.  IMHO having a sensible fear of power tools is a good thing.  Being comfortable can lead to less than scrupulous adherence to safety, and that can lead to accidents.)  I got rid of my power tools--I'm now a confirmed hand tool user--and I now enjoy wood working much more than when I was using those forked-tail, demonic screamers.

   In short, you don't need to overcome your shyness around power tools.  You can do great work without them.

   Alan

7. 
   Telemike | Aug 12, 2003 08:14am | #11

   You've asked a tough question and the only real answer is your own answer for you.  Norm, as Jon said, approaches furniture like a carpenter.  This work is found in the panelling, built ins, and trim of the best houses and makes up the bulk of what I see in "Wood", "workbench", and lots of other magazines.  FWW furniture, be it a reproduction of a centuries old piece or a cutting edge art piece, are made to a standard of precision and construction that are only accessible to museums and the weathiest collectors, and, of course, people who make this stuff in their garage or basement.  Some of this work is luney for kids dressers and garage cabinets, some of it is almost obsessed with hand work.  But I sure wish I could do work good enough to get into FWW, and I will someday!

   What kind of wood working you want to do, wether it be beautiful and efficiently constructed (like Norm's furniture) or museum one-of-a-kind artistic masterpeices that take a year to make, is your decision.  And, it is the most important woodworking decision you can make!  Yes, even more important than the brand of fence you put on your new cabinet saw!  In the end, how good you do it is more important than what you do.  And Norm does what Norm does really well!