New show idea

The Black & Decker books have this format and they are very good so your idea is excellant! Any producers out there?

-- Never board, always knotty, lots of growth rings

Could it be done? You bet!

Commercially viable? Doubtful.

Advertisers want a show that encourages people to buy stuff…. not one that shows them how to make do with less.

Still, I think it’s a great idea in theory, and I think most of us LJ’s would want to watch it.

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

Could be the ‘I can do that’ format from Popular woodworking. I would like something that shows exactly how to do something either with this tool or with that tool. If I was making a stool, I would need to drill holes for the legs at an angle. I could do it with a drill press set up like this….or with a hand drill set up like this….

Projects that someone could actually do and gain confidence. Large projects could be broken down into small steps.

-- Berta in NC

I’m with Charlie. You won’t find a lot of advertisers supporting a show that shows how to build furniture with a circular saw and router. My brother has built some beautiful furniture and that is all he uses. I, on the other hand, have invested thousands of dollars in tools to get the same thing done. I didn’t know a jointer existed until I started watching Norm.

-- DaveH - Boise, Idaho - “How hard can it be? It's only wood!”

Fine Woodworking’s online site also has an excellent online show “Getting Started in Woodworking” They are going by the premise that you have a few of the basic tools such as a circular saw, sander, jig saw etc. and are walking people through a few projects. I have watched almost all the episodes and it is very well done.

-- Greg - Charles Town, WV

Well I’m glad other people think my idea is ok (even if it is not likely to be profitable or very original).

I do find it somewhat interesting though because I think of how every place I know of that sells tools is pushing their cordless electric drills. These things must be either loss leaders or they are still profitable at their low prices.

Then I look at how one project can make everyone jump and say “Hey, not only do I want to do that, but I can do that with the tools I’ve got”. The project coming to mind is the woodwhisperer cutting board.

I can’t imagine that a one hour show, sponsored by a single company, using only their tools (max of 3 power tools) couldn’t sell a bunch of products if they put that show out there.

Anyway, I’m not petitioning to get this idea started, but was just thinking about it and wanted others thoughs.

Steelmum- I really like your idea of a show that focuses on several ways to do one thing

Greg – I’m probably goign to give the free trial a shot soon, but haven’t had the chance yet. I didn’t know this was a feature so I’ll be sure to look at it.

kindlingmaker – I haven’t seen these books. I’m going to have a look. This is the kind of company i thought would benefit from this. I knew I wasn’t the first to think of the idea.

There was a show produced a few years ago in Athens, Ga., that followed this theme. The host seemed like a nice guy, but wasn’t very charismatic, and the production quality was poor. He built mostly things like simple workbenches and picnic tables. He used a combination of handsaws, skilsaws, jigsaws, and handheld power drills. I watched a few episodes, but got bored with it. I did feel that it was a good premise, but it needed to better quality camera work and a more personable host. The guy was a skilled woodworker, as he was a proffessional cabinet maker. It was broadcast on our local PBS station. I believe it could work, with a host that was personable and charismatic, and decent production quality.

Good premise for a show. Like many other folks, I’ve thought ‘If I only had a , I could make a _. Then I recall what my father, a Master Carpenter, said on more than one occassion, “It’s not the tools, it’s the craftsman.” He also said a lot of things when he screwed things up. But they can not be published on this family oriented forum. LOL.

Happy and Safe Holidays to all my present and future woodworking friends.

PS. Don’t forget to Thank God for all His trees we play with!

Bruce

-- I love the smell of sawdust in the morning....

Check out Marc Spagnuolo’s latest FWW build where he takes on an entertainment center using circ saw as his primary tool. This is the same idea and I think it has some legs.

-- Check out my blog and podcast "The Renaissance Woodworker" at www.rogersfinewoodworking.com/blog