It all started with a woman at church asking me if I could help her fix up a doll house she bought at an action. She came to my shop one evening and brought a friend. They were interested in the tools and some of the projects I have around the shop so I asked if they’d like to try some. Bottom lins is the doll house is finished and I now have several women who come to the shop two at a time and I have a waiting list of others who are interested. We feature a new machine every evening and build a project with that machine starting with the scroll saw.
I had not thought of this, but it seems like a good way to get new people in the hobby we all love so much.
-- Bruce from Central New York























10 comments so far
GaryK
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8183 posts in 379 days
posted 94 days ago
Would be an advantage if you were single also.
Good deal! Keep spreading the word.
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
ND2ELK
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1851 posts in 165 days
posted 94 days ago
My wife loves me dearly and trusts me fully. I just don’t see me having a girls night. NoNoNo…...... Have you ever seen a 6’2” woman POed. Not a pretty sight. I want to work in my new shop not live in it. Good Luck!
-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa
Larry
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133 posts in 602 days
posted 94 days ago
It would be fun getting someone else interested in woodworking, but pretty soon your going to have to wait in line to get your projects done. I love to have people come into my shop to look and listen to me explain what the tools are for and what I am building. But that is on a very limited time frame. Keep up the good work, and keep them interested.
-- "In dog years - I'm dead"
Chris
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913 posts in 382 days
posted 94 days ago
Do you like teaching?
-- Chris
Scott Bryan
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7806 posts in 213 days
posted 93 days ago
Bruce,
You have an excellent idea. You get to meet new people, help them better understand woodworking and get to demo a nice tool while spending time in the shop. What is not to love about any of this?
Thanks for sharing.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
motthunter
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956 posts in 190 days
posted 93 days ago
the more folks we help, the more woodworkers are there, and the tool companies will produce newer and better toys for us. Simple economics.. the more consumers, the more need for new and better.
-- making sawdust....
brunob
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1152 posts in 560 days
posted 93 days ago
Chris,
Yes I enjoy the teaching – particularly people who have necer really done woodworking before. I bring neighborhood kids into the shop in the summer as well. They and the ladies are like sponges – they really appreciate learning. One of the women helped her husband build their house but was only the helper – never used any of the machines herself.
Yep Scott and Mott et al – a couple hours invested each week brings a good return.
-- Bruce from Central New York
RusticElements
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117 posts in 116 days
posted 93 days ago
I’ve been thinking of doing this for a while but…
1) I’m not sure how to get students
2) I’m a little nervous about fingers separating from the body.
Since you’ve now done it, care to share some insights?
-- Michael R. Harvey - Brewster, NY - RusticElementArt.com - SpaceAware.org - AnConn.com
brunob
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1152 posts in 560 days
posted 93 days ago
Hi Michael,
First, you’re not that far from me so you’d be welcome to visit.
My first student cam from a question at church but now I have a waiting list. I only take two at a time not only because my shop is small but also, I want to watch what they are doing.
The issue of fingers is always a concerne but I teach safety first. I teach safety on every machine they use first. I watch them like a hawk on the table saw and radial saw. They can’t use either of them unless I am standing by the machine.
Hope this helps – I’d be glad to discuss it further.
-- Bruce from Central New York
Suzy
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1 post in 23 days
posted 23 days ago
Hey Bruce, I found you!