What's your game changer?
"Bob D" wrote in message
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This may be an old topic but I am too lazy to search for it.
Do you have an item that has been a game changer for you in pursuit of
woodworking excellence. It can be something you purchased or built or
found in the trash. It can cost anywhere from free to $1000's. Please
refrain from value judgement comments like "too expensive; not worth it;
etc". To someone its worth it. I am just looking for inspiration and
ideas. Please expand on how or what you accomplished that caused you to
say "Wow, this is a real game changer".
The game changer for me was hanging around with skilled artisans. Seeing
what was possible drove me to get better.
While I had seen Norm and Roy on TV for quite some time it was working at
Colonial Williamsburg, VA in the Gunsmith Shop in the mid '80s that was a
turning point for me. While there I spent a lot of time visiting the shops
for all the various trades. The result of that is I came to understand and
appreciate that most of the world was built without electron power and that
excellent work could be done with hand tools. Before that I believed that
power tools were a necessity...
That said, while I have a lot of hand tools I also have a lot of large
stationary tools and tailed hand tools. I recently added a power feed to my
shop for upcoming molding and flooring projects. I continue to add to the
hand tools via restoration of myriad tools I've "inherited."
Another useful exposure was joining the Northeastern Woodworkers
Association. In addition to the hundreds of members I was exposed to a lot
of professionals, a few of whom used to participate here, e.g., Doug Stowe,
Rob Lee (Lee-Valley). Garrett Hack, Ernie Conover, Chris Schwarz, Tom
Lie-Nielson... and myriad others. The conversations over dinner and drinks
with the professionals were amazing. Club members give talks, demos, and
classes on myriad woodworking subjects. Attend them all even if you don't
have a specific interest as you will get ideas that are transferable. I was
treasurer for the Mid-Hudson Chapter for about 12-13 years, taught classes
and gave presentations at the annual woodworking show in Saratoga Springs...
Get involved. You'll get back every bit of what you contribute!
While the on-line videos are interesting they aren't the same as being in
the same space with and having conversations with skilled artisans. Like
what I experienced while at Williamsburg, being there in person becomes an
academic experience... ideas are shared, techniques explained and
demonstrated, and everyone can walk away with something to think about.
P.S. I didn't work directly with Roy but I knew him socially... his wife and
my housemate were friends and swapped babysitting duties... I met Norm
once... at Sturbridge Village.
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