But, I digress; actually, to a place that even I don't want to go. Back on topic, I've decided that woodworking is way cool!!!
Ok, so, I'm not really what I consider to be an accomplished woodworker, but I certainly aspire to be. That not withstanding, I love wood. I always have. When crafted properly, wood is one of the few things that can give service that's measured in generations. Our home is full of wood... anywhere from 80 to 150 year old wood. It's still sturdy. It still looks good. It still works well for the purpose it was built.
You see, I write software and databases for a living. It's constantly
challenging and always evolving. Thus, it's exciting and fun, and it's
a great way to make a living. But, there's a down side too... software
is, by its very nature, incredibly transient. What's good enough today
must be changed, updated, modified, or scrapped and replaced tomorrow.
For more info on me, see the author's bio.
So, you ask, what's all this got to do with woodworking? Nothing, really. Anyway, one day, while doing some channel surfing during a fit of boredom, I and the TV landed on Norm. Then it hits me like a lightning bolt! I now have a hobby that offers results that last a little longer than the Software de Jour, and Norm has become one of my heros.
I started reading, first a couple of magazines, and then a book or two. Of course, I was watching Norm (Abram) and Roy (Underhill) along the way. I wanted to be just like them when I "grew up!"
Roy Underhill makes everything the old fashioned way; by hand, no power tools.
He does it in time honored, traditional fassion. Roy is the author of
several books on traditional woodworking methods. He's also the host of
the long-running television show, The Woodwright's Shop,
a popular woodworking show on PBS that showcases
traditional woodworking. His easy manner and talent would be a very big
help for someone wanting to learn to use old hand tools and techniques.
Roy has also been the master housewright at
Colonial Williamsburg. His
historical research and teachings seem to concentrate on early America, before
the industrial revolution, but on occasion, will go into earlier European periods.
Norm Abram, by contrast, has a modern-day shop that is the envy of most hobby
and professional woodworkers anywhere. Make no mistake though, Norm is
a craftsman! He's made some wonderful reproductions of Shaker style
furniture from the Old Sturbridge Village in
Massachusetts. Norm is also an accomplished author, and the long time
host of the New Yankee Workshop, also
on PBS. Now a master carpenter, Norm has been honing his woodworking
skills since childhood. Through his show, Norm helps guide folks through
the rewarding process of making furniture and other projects. He is also
one of the co-hosts of the long running TV series This Old House.
Before you know it, I had my first power new tool. It was a router to add to my old B&D circular saw that my dear old Daddy gave me when I was just a young whippersnapper. I'm getting all teary-eyed and misty just thinking about unpacking my Porter-Cable router, all the memories we've created. Ok, the nostalgia is getting to me.
Anyway, my goals for woodworking are pretty simple. I want it to be a lifelong hobby. I want a diversion to keep me out of SWMBO's way as I approach retirement. I never want to have to earn a living with it... I already have a job. I want to become one of the good one's even if no one but my family and I know.
My ultimate goal, as a woodworker, is to build the stuff that will stand the test of time. I want to build the stuff that maybe my kids will fight over when I'm gone; build the stuff that someone else will use in 80 to 150 years.