I surfed into Norm’s workshop yesterday evening and found him making a set of serving tables or some such. I have to remind myself that Norm’s done so many projects, he’s run out of really practical things to build.
As usual I put down the remote, out of respect for his knowledge and skill, and watched him go through a rather intricate series of cuts on his superior table saw.
I couldn’t believe the number of special tools and jigs he had on hand, just to cut some tenons on a dozen table legs. He has, not only every tool I’ve ever heard of, he’s got everything I could ever imagine, and then some.
So what’s the point? Why do Norm and company shoot programs on a series of shop projects, supposedly aimed at the average amateur woodworker, and employ a special tool for every cut or joint they make?
I’m a fairly capable country cabinet guy but I don’t plan on owning most of the stuff that I see on The New Yankee Workshop, nor do I suspect that the average weekend guy will either.
What’s with those guys? Don’t they see the value in minimalism? Or has Norm become a tool junkie?
Replies
but I don't plan on owning most of the stuff that I see on The New Yankee Workshop
why not????
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
why not????
Assuming for a moment, that you're not being facetious, isn't better to ask why?
I enjoy working with better quality tools but I only own what I know I'll need on a regular basis. Having a long list of special tools which may each get used a couple of times a year, makes no sense to me.
I also enjoy building cabinets and simple furniture on site with basic tools.
I think The New Yankee Workshop should keep in mind that most people, including carpenters, don't have a dedicated workshop space. When I want to make up something at home, I have to pull my truck out of the garage and set up a small temporary shop right there.
Anyway, as much as I dislike saying it, I'm about done with NYW until they clean out the specialty tools and get back to basic stuff.
It's sad to see a tool junkie being abused by the tool companies. Sorry Norm. Just shows how PBS has lost it's independence to the sponsors, something that was never supposed to happen.
In the last few years it's become clear to me that he chooses his projects based on what new tools he wants. It's a great gig if you can get it!
The companies give him the tools at no cost, for advertising purposes. Wouldn't you take them if they were offered free to you?
Seems to me that his shows vary skil-wise. Some shows are like the one you saw with lots of gadgets and are more like technology demonstators. Then others fall back to basics like cutting mortises with drill & chisel & mortises with a backsaw & chisel. His approach hits a very wide audience and hence it's sucess.
The Woodwrights shop on PBS is just the opposite. All hand tools. He thinks nothing of resawing a board by hand or turning a leg on his pedal powered lathe. Its amazing to watch him work.
You get out of life what you put into it......minus taxes.
Marv
PS: If Festool wanted to send me a full set of tools, I wouldn't turn it down either.
Edited 8/10/2007 9:08 am by Marv
Did you see the Woodwright show when he had the stitches in his finger? Now that is a real Reality Show.
Yah....he probably stitched himself up. I've seen it done.You get out of life what you put into it......minus taxes.
Marv
Norm's tv producers are in the job of making money. Most of the revenue comes from advertisers. Who advertises on the shows (product placement included)? Most of it must come from people who sell tools. I don't generally look at what brand of wood he is using (as apposed to species). Everyone notices the tools ....and that sells tools.
The more tools he uses, the more tools they sell, the more money the program makes.You get out of life what you put into it......minus taxes.
Marv
The more tools he uses, the more tools they sell, the more money the program makes.
I don't know the current PBS formula but it isn't as simple and direct as you suggest.
But of course the program isn't produced directly by PBS.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
But of course the program isn't produced directly by PBS.
No, PBS has always funded independent producers but PBS receives financial support directly from sponsors and also stipulates the type of involvement allowed between the producers and the sponsors.
Edited 8/10/2007 5:10 pm ET by Hudson Valley Carpenter
I don't know the current PBS formula but it isn't as simple and direct as you suggest.
Uhm, Morash productions is a for-profit outfit, as the people on HGTV will attest.
Also, that GM or the Chevy ad, or the Minwax, or the Delta tools spot, front and back of each pbs episode is not for free.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
I read an article about Norm and NYW. The article stated that most of the machines in the shop are donations (used, last years models, etc...)
Yah....he probably stitched himself up. I've seen it done.
I've had a few serious lacerations. The adjacent skin numbs out pretty quickly because the small nerves have been severed too. I'm not saying that all sensation is lost but it's substantial enough that you could probably sew it up yourself.
As an example, I've never needed pain medication for any laceration. There just isn't any pain during the healing process. Also, it can take many months for the sensation to fully return to the area.
The Woodwrights shop on PBS is just the opposite.
This is the first I've heard of that program. I just visited the PBS web site to find out that none of the local PBS channels are carrying that show. Too bad. I'm sure I'd get very involved in that one.
Woodright was a true old time craftsman.Used old tools, old technique, Good attitude, shows what you can do if you are truly patient and really love what you are doing.
Frank
Look at it this way...if he inspires people to get involved then he's done a good job. No one is gonna have everything so we make do with what we have. Thats how we all learn. The better you get the more you seem to aquire as time goes on. Seems to me each job I've done for customers is whats afforded me another tool. If you're a serious wood worker you just will aquire the tools you need eventually. If you're just a DIY'r you'll have your limited supply because thats all you really need.
"the most amazing buddhist prayer song I have ever heard during my trip through the hidden mystique countries like Nepal and India. I've heard it playing everywhere in Kathmandu - buses, ashrams, hotels,streets, etc... "author unknown
how it sounds^-->http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2shskL0AYuE
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Look at it this way...if he inspires people to get involved then he's done a good job.
That's just the point Andy. I'm saying that, as much as I enjoy woodworking, his projects don't inspire me any more because they're increasing complex and seem to require a lot of very specialized tools.
I don't think that I'm different in that respect from most DIYers, and quite a few carpenters too.
don't think that I'm different in that respect from most DIYers, and quite a few carpenters
I'm not entirely sure that the premise of NYW was ever Learn-to-build-stuff. I'm more than middling thinking the premise was watch-how-Norm-makes stuff--which is a very different thing.
It's, to me, a bit like the difference between watching Jaques Pepin and wathing Emeril. Jaques, especially in his latest "made simple" series, shows basic techniques combine to make something elegant.
EmeriL makes stuff the Emeril way. He's got an entire staff to prep and stage product, to make a good tv show that is entertaining. He, like Norm does a number of things in ways I don't (or wouldn't)
So maybe the question ought not be to watch or not watch NYW. But, perhaps, that we need an America's Test Kitchen-like show for DIY case & mill workers. A show, where, say, a person took a stock candlestick table plan, and tried out several ways to make one, and reported on what the end results were. So that, using a router with a radius shoe jig, and off-the-shelf legs with a turned spindle might make one result. Or using some other technique came out another.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
Yo...
Once I get my azz in gear , I am gonna show y'all how to make mullions and muntins on a restoration of 150 YO windows.
Like my diatribe with the CNC guys about soul and product, "F" them, there ARE NO machines that'll do what I do ( or if there is, I want to see proof)..anyway..I'm both schools, if there is a "better" way, use it. If there ain't..RELY on the OLD way.
Think about how the first (I knoe you do) windows were concieved...think about the tools at hand back then?
This "example" of a woodworker is laughable...And yeas , I worked beside Roy, the opposite end..but neither has the "do all, end all" answer to every situation..I bust my azz to make a pc. that has soul ( my soul) and place it next to a pc. that was CNC farted out..I do not care who you are, if ya miss the ambiance of difference, I don't WANT YOU as a customer.
Mebbe I shouldn't say a thing here, I am steadfast in MY beliefs, and have been shot at for believing what I believe, but I consider my peer review as such that this site, contains builders..and I have been building along, but my trade and glory was far removed from this venue..I just happen along because I like you guys.
Never would I say I am "above" anyone in talent, and certainly, if I was I'd most likely NOT be here( LOL) hanging with y'all, but my lessons about tooling, is just that. Use what ya got. And if ya don't have it, figgure it the f ** out.
Norm is porn for wanna be's..thats all.
I fuggin do IT, and hate that "IT" is cheapened by Promotional funding, and exposuer, the sewer of tradesmen, in the field.
Hell sometimes I don't even get the field, I get the muddy bottom.
End of rant// Maybe,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
It's the best way to demonstrate as many techniques as he can. That's what I get out of it. If Norm was running a furniture shop I'm sure he would find his favorite technique and stick with it. But as long as he's teaching why not show every possible way with every possible tool? I'm glad they do give him all kinds of stuff. It allows us to see what's out there and what applications they are good for.
I like shows like his Adirondack chair one. He went back and looked at some Adirondack chairs that he had built in like season 1. He realized some of the mistakes that he had made and did things to offset the aging of the new ones. Using techniques that he either didn't know about then or weren't available. I think he's done a couple of other projects like that too.
.
"Everything is under control. I'M gonna go make some pies now." Dinosaur 07
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPONTneuaF4
Gunner,
I think you've hit on the best reasons for Norm to continue doing projects as you've described.
But it still smells bad to me, seeing the tool companies pushing their products on "public" television.
And I won't be watching the program anymore because it doesn't represent the kind of work I'd like to do with basic tools.
Edited 8/10/2007 10:14 am ET by Hudson Valley Carpenter
He only uses tools he wants to use. They offer them to him and it's up to him weather he wants to use them. I read that in his book. Measure twice cut once.
I don't really care one way or the other as far as the tool pimping goes. I just enjoy taking a break for a half hour on the weekend and watching him work. His smooth confident mannerisms are really appealing to me. I just really like the guy and his style.
Have you ever watched his web cam show? 99% of the time he's hovering over his table saw. And he always advocates the table saw as the must have first purchase tool in a shop.
.
"Everything is under control. I'M gonna go make some pies now." Dinosaur 07
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPONTneuaF4
I just really like the guy and his style.
Without question, he's great to watch and listen to. This Old House, in fact the entire PBS venture into remodeling, would have been a failure without Norm.
His dedication to craftmanship comes across in his every word and movement.
Honestly, I wish he'd re-invent himself as a custom builder of new homes. That would be a fascinating series of programs to watch.
Honestly, I wish he'd re-invent himself as a custom builder of new homes. That would be a fascinating series of programs to watch.
Yea I'd like to see him break into something new. The only thing that turns me off with Norm is when he interacts with other people. He always seems to come off bad. I think he lacks the timing.
He wrote a book back in the 90's about the new house he finaly built for his wife and himself. One of my favorites. Full of good ideas and solid building techniques.
.
"Everything is under control. I'M gonna go make some pies now." Dinosaur 07
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPONTneuaF4
Edited 8/10/2007 11:01 am ET by Gunner
He wrote a book back in the 90's about the new house he finaly built for his wife and himself. One of my favorites. Full of good ideas and solid building techniques.
I'm glad to hear that's it worth reading. I have a copy that I grabbed off a discount table at the local book store but it got put away until I get back to the right coast.
I'd prefer that, were he to do a series on custom home building, he just walk us through his decision making, methods and techniques, one step at a time. Let the other tradesmen do the same. A little chummy banter at the end is OK with me, even if it is all scripted.
Whats the name of the book?Martin
Norm Abram's New House
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780316004879&itm=15
That's kind of the way his book is. He didn't do too much of the work himself. Very nice house with all the details that a craftsman would have in his own home.
.
"Everything is under control. I'M gonna go make some pies now." Dinosaur 07
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPONTneuaF4
If you can do all you need to do comfortably with the tools you have, why give a rats azz?
Turn off Norm and put on some good bluegrass.
I'd like to see someone split the difference between Norm and The Woodwright: Effectively use modern tools, but a minimum set that DIYer might expect to own. Make up for fewer tools with clever tricks, handmade jigs, more tolerant designs, etc.I mean, a lot of the old Craftsman style, for instance, was driven by the need to keep things simple and reduce the need for precision work. The constraints produce a sort of classic elegance that you don't get when you have 10,000 tools to do your bidding.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
The constraints produce a sort of classic elegance that you don't get when you have 10,000 tools to do your bidding.
That's what I was trying to say, though not as well as you have. There's a simple discipline to follow which leads to a quality piece with a personal touch, when done with due diligence.
The original show was exactly that, but just like FHB and FWW, it has grown and developed over the years and become a little more intensive, both in skill and tools used. He only started using hand tools a few years ago and he himself admitted he had little experience in using them.If you go over to Knots you'll see posts all the time about the magazine and whether it should be more basic or more complex. It's hard to ride that fine line, but so far I think both Norm and FWW have done a good job at trying to apply to the novice and expert.Jimmy W.
93348.15 in reply to 93348.13
"I'd like to see someone split the difference between Norm and The Woodwright: Effectively use modern tools, but a minimum set that DIYer might expect to own. Make up for fewer tools with clever tricks, handmade jigs, more tolerant designs, etc"
There was a program on DIY Network called Woodworks that did just that.... Lasted for several years but never got renewed and now they air reruns on Staurdays at 1:30 am.
My "minimum set" of tools doesn't include cable TV.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
My "minimum set" of tools doesn't include cable TV.
HA! Mine either, though I think we're probably missing some excellent programming.
Yeah, especially the Dallas Cheerleader tryouts.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
or some kind of video player either I'll bet...Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Turn off Norm and put on some good bluegrass.
That's a pleasant departure, sure enough!
He doesn't have Festool!
"I never met a man who didn't owe somebody something."
I heard in a recent interview that Norm did with Popular Woodworking mag at the AWFS woodworking show , that the 1st 9 episodes of the new season of NYW will be devoted to building a kitchen. Form what does it take to build them, to the installation of the cabinets. There is something that should be interesting for the majority of us. And Norm said in the interview that if the NYW were to catch on fire (which it sounds like a few of you wouldn't mine ;-), that he would grab some of his hand tools to take with him... the power tools could be replaced.
Go to:
http://www.popularwoodworking.com/video/
Click on 'Interviews'... then 'Norm Abram'.
I heard in a recent interview that Norm did with Popular Woodworking mag at the AWFS woodworking show , that the 1st 9 episodes of the new season of NYW will be devoted to building a kitchen.
http://www.popularwoodworking.com/video/
Click on 'Interviews'... then 'Norm Abram'.
Tim,
Thanks for the good news! I guess I won't be crossing NYW off my list, after all. I'll be interested to see how Norm goes about designing and building a kitchen.
Good interview too. As usual Norm's humility and ernestness make him very pleasant company.
He doesn't have Festool!
I noticed that Festool was all over the set on This Old house this past season.
Great, now Festool is going to be bought by all the homeowners then they will get cheap to keep up with demand.
"I never met a man who didn't owe somebody something."
The Festool tools you see on This Old House belongs to Tom Silva, the GC on This Old House, not Norm. And most home owners who could afford Festool products, are probably homeowners who want to pay someone else to do their work for them.
i like Norm even though i dont get the MASTER part , Who hands these diplomas out anyway???? I would like to see him build some fine furniture with a worm drive out in the rain and snow, I dont know anybody with a shop like his, But i would like to have tapes of his shows.
I heard once, or read somewhere, that 'Master' was a term that Russell Morash (creator of This Old House and NYW) gave Norm. Norm said he just "goes with it"... like wearing those plaid shirts and a carpenter's toolbelt in a woodworking shop... when's the last time you saw him take something out of it?!? It's just part of the gig that Morash likes him to stick with.
You'll notice that, whatever project he undertakes, he manages to do it in exactly 30 minutes.
Well maybe, he does say he finished the other seven parts last night.
But the one tool that really annoys me is his tenoning device. First he cuts along the sholder to the right depth and on the small edges, he even nibbles away the rest of that. But then he has to get out his $200 contraption and use that to cut the 1/4" sliver off of the broad side. Why bother? He already has the blade set for the correct depth so he can just nibble that away too.
I would like to see him do an entire project with just one basic tool -- like a radial arm saw.
~Peter
Summer is the season of fleas, flies and mosquitoes.
And then on the Woodwright you see him do dovetails by hand.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
I would like to know where he keeps his little army of cleaners.
By the time I have finished a day the shop and bench is littered with tools etc.
holtzheritage.com The Old House Doctor
I would like to know where he keeps his little army of cleaners.
I'd bet that there's twenty or more people behind the cameras, one or two of them assigned to keeping every spec of sawdust vacuumed up and a couple more keeping track of the tools.
I attended a taping of the comedy Two and a half Men at Warner Bros. a few months ago. There were five Panavision cameras rolling on every take. Each camera had an operator and two assistants. The audience could barely see the actors. There were probably another sixty or more support people on hand, many of whom were milling around the set, waiting to do their part. All in all, I was very impressed by how professional everyone was, at all times.
Anyway, your vision of a little army is very accurate.
There is a huge difference between a studio-shot sitcom and something like Norm's show. I'm willing to bet he's got one and possibly two camera guys, a sound guy, a gaffer (lighting), a producer/director type, and maybe a couple of production assistants.
Oh yeah, and the guy with the broom.
Hudson
You do know that that isn't Norms shop don't you? It belongs to Moresh(sp?)
I've read the book that Gunner referred to, the one about Norms own house building experience, fairly good read.
I think there's some good info coming out of that show, tips, techniques.......... I just wish Norm would take off that stupid tool belt, who the hell wears a tool belt around a cabinet shop!
Doug
Norm seems like a good guy. I actually met and talked with him a few times some years ago, and he admits in the presentations that he does, that he's a a tool junkie. He makes no apologies, and I guess he shouldn't. What the hell?
He doesn't have the greatest TV presence nor presentation but he was never bound or groomed for that in the first place. He does have a natural common "everyman" way about him though and I think it's that which most people unconsciously find appealing. That and the projects he tackles. He does know his stuff you have to give him that.
He's poo poo'd a lot on woodworking websites. I'm sure it keeps him up at night.