|
Post by Ruffnek on Jan 31, 2010 20:20:25 GMT -6
I've been watching the podcast episodes of The New Yankee Workshop. The new one put up today is the "Bedside Table." It's a great beginning project as it's a pretty simple Shaker design but there's also lots of stuff for newbies to learn...tapered legs, breadboard ends on the top and a drawer.
Now, just about everyone here knows that I'm a huge Norm fan and I'm not ashamed to admit it. The NYW was probably the biggest influence on me getting started in woodworking and I learned a ton watching it. I still enjoy watching it, even though I'm not quite as incredulous at Norm's skills as I was once.
First, for all those who dissed Norm because he had a shop full of sponsor-provided power tools, you should watch those episodes being shown online at the NYW web site. The tools Norm uses are typical of what millions of hobbiest woodworkers started out with and in many cases still use. The old Delta-Rockwell Unisaw with stock fence belongs to the show's producer (as does the shop which Norm built), there's a Shop-Smith, a benchtop router table similar to one that can be bought for $59 or less, a wobble dado blade, pipe clamps (not a Bessey in sight), etc. Norm still manages to make the process look doable for even newbies.
Now, to all those who dissed Norm because, at least early on, he didn't pay attention to wood movement...you are right. I've seen all these episodes before but I guess I didn't know enough to realize what Norm was doing.
In the Blanket Chest episode and in the current Bedside Table episode, Norm uses breadboard ends...glued on solidly across the entire length. In addition, on the bedside table, he screws the top down solidly from below...no elongated holes, no wooden clips in apron grooves like in later episodes. No attention is paid to classic cross-grain joints.
Now, Norm learned better as his skills improved and his knowledge of furnituremaking expanded. His last few years, there were not too many boo-boos in his technique, as far as I could tell.
Anyway, I guess there was a basis for some criticism but I still think Norm is the man when it comes to woodworking.
Check out those early episodes. They are a real hoot to watch.
|
|
|
Post by dcarter636 on Jan 31, 2010 23:57:09 GMT -6
That is the very episode that was the turning point for me. I went out and bought a Craftsman router, Craftsman 4" jointer, a POS $100 bench top table saw, and some S4S poplar from Home Despot.
My table top did split where the breadboard end was glued solid but that simple piece made me realize that it was possible that "acceptable for use and public display" furniture might be made in my garage. That table is still in use with cloth covering the unrepairable split.
I think a key element of the earlier NYW shows was that we could buy each of the many of the tools that Norm demonstrated with a middling portion of one weekly paycheck.
|
|
|
Post by sachbvn on Feb 1, 2010 6:54:05 GMT -6
Hey Cody - where are you finding his podcast? I am searching iTunes and can't find it. I haven't checked the internet, I'm hoping iTunes has it and I just can't find it.
Zac
|
|
|
Post by garyeng on Feb 1, 2010 7:51:49 GMT -6
Zac, They are on the New Yankee website.
Gary
|
|
|
Post by imahic on Feb 1, 2010 9:08:12 GMT -6
Here ya go, Zac: www.newyankee.com/index.phpCody, I also miss seeing NYWS on PBS. I never understood what the problem was that people would diss him for. He is probably the single most influence on modern day DIYers that there is. It is fun to watch those old episodes and see ,as you say, that he used stuff that most of us have or know where to get our hands on. Just goes to show what can be done with a little effort. I used to try to imagine what it must be like to have tool companies shoving all those tools at him saying "try this, try this"......lol. Must have been a tough life. You can also watch all the old episodes of the Woodwright shop also. I love to watch Roy Underhill also. Mike
|
|
sawduster
Moderator
The Motley Crew
Posts: 1,831
|
Post by sawduster on Feb 1, 2010 9:37:09 GMT -6
Popular Woodworking had an article about Norm recently and I found it quite interesting that in the early days he was actually learning furniture making as he converted his construction skills to those of making furniture. So he was basically a personality with a set of skills that could be converted to furniture making, and was going through a learning process as he went.
One of the funny things is that once he had obtained some of the furniture skills, he took them back to the construction side. I remember one episode where he was building a gazebo and used sliding dovetails to connect the perimeter plate to the uprights. Now, while that is really not something commonly used today for construction type work, I would venture to say that many furniture joinery methods have historical use in construction going back to the days of Timber Framed construction.
|
|
|
Post by sachbvn on Feb 1, 2010 13:32:10 GMT -6
Thanks guys!
Zac
|
|
|
Post by Mark T on Feb 1, 2010 13:33:15 GMT -6
You know, we should all get a bit better as time passes and skills are learned. Norm is no different- just as human as the rest of us. I have always liked the guy as well. I'll keep watching him progress as long as I can find him somewhere. He still has more skill than I will ever have.
|
|
rrich
WoW Member
Posts: 737
|
Post by rrich on Feb 1, 2010 15:24:20 GMT -6
Norm is a very nice person. If you ever get the chance to sit down and talk with him, don't pass up the opportunity.
Like Norm or hate him, Norm has brought more people into woodworking than anyone that I know of.
Norm usually does things safely too. Occasionally, Norm will do something that the machine instructions explicitly say not to. I have seen a few things where what HE did was safe but could lead to an accident because it doesn't apply in every case.
In all, I'm sorry to see NYW leave PBS. I will miss Norm.
|
|
|
Post by brburns on Feb 1, 2010 15:59:33 GMT -6
I think that the fact that Norm was learning as he went is what made him able to teach us. I have learned allot from him and really miss his shows.
On annother note, I'm about to have to make a breadboard end and am thinking sliding dovetail..... I haven't had the oportunity to do this yet.
|
|
Joe Lyddon
WoW Member
Banned.
Sam Maloof & I Dec. 2, 2005
Posts: 2,507
|
Post by Joe Lyddon on Feb 1, 2010 19:22:20 GMT -6
Are you sure a Sliding DT would work as a Breadboard? Like at the ends of a large table top...
|
|
sawduster
Moderator
The Motley Crew
Posts: 1,831
|
Post by sawduster on Feb 1, 2010 19:50:05 GMT -6
Shouldn't be any issues with a sliding DT to attach breadboard ends. If you didn't like the look of the visible joint on the front side of the table, you could to a stopped joint on the front side. Put a spot of glue on the front end of the tail (in either case) to push any movement to the back and you're good to go.
|
|
rrich
WoW Member
Posts: 737
|
Post by rrich on Feb 1, 2010 21:53:44 GMT -6
Jerry, You're saying to make a bread board end of a table top with a through DT on one end and a stopped DT on the other end of teh BB ends?
Then use the stopped end at the "front" of the table, right?
|
|
|
Post by brburns on Feb 2, 2010 5:06:08 GMT -6
It's not for a table, but a slide out arm rest for a desk. I'm thinking I could use a stopped sliding DT and then on the open end cover it with annother strip of wood. I'm thinking DT because you will have to pull on it to slide out the arm rest. It would need to be strong. Not saying this is the best way though.
Sorry, I didn't mean to hyjack the thread.
|
|
|
Post by Ruffnek on Feb 2, 2010 8:08:59 GMT -6
If you use a sliding dovetail, I'd just leave the ends exposed. If you cover them, the panel could shrink enough to push the cover piece away from the breadboard or expand enough to leave a gap between the cover and the breadboard.. If you want the joint hidden, use a pegged M&T joint with the ends blind. Glue the middle third of the joint and elongate the holes in the tenon where the peg passes through to allow for movement. BTW - don't worry about hijacking the thread. We'll just go wherever it takes us.
|
|
sawduster
Moderator
The Motley Crew
Posts: 1,831
|
Post by sawduster on Feb 2, 2010 11:11:28 GMT -6
Jerry, You're saying to make a bread board end of a table top with a through DT on one end and a stopped DT on the other end of teh BB ends? Then use the stopped end at the "front" of the table, right? Yep.
|
|
|
Post by triplefreak on Feb 2, 2010 11:44:18 GMT -6
I actually met Norm once, about 15 years ago. They had this contest in DC on the National Mall for energy efficient housing. It actually made it onto an episode of TOH. He was the nicest guy you'd ever want to meet. Down to Earth, forthright, and pulled no punches. He even had on his trademark plaid shirt. Too bad I didn't have a camera with me that day. He is the salt of the Earth, literally. But, he's getting up there in years, and he's worked construction all his life. Let me tell you, working construction takes it's toll on your body & spirit.
|
|
Joe Lyddon
WoW Member
Banned.
Sam Maloof & I Dec. 2, 2005
Posts: 2,507
|
Post by Joe Lyddon on Feb 2, 2010 11:51:50 GMT -6
If you use a sliding dovetail, I'd just leave the ends exposed. If you cover them, the panel could shrink enough to push the cover piece away from the breadboard or expand enough to leave a gap between the cover and the breadboard.. If you want the joint hidden, use a pegged M&T joint with the ends blind. Glue the middle third of the joint and elongate the holes in the tenon where the peg passes through to allow for movement. BTW - don't worry about hijacking the thread. We'll just go wherever it takes us. I agree... M&T is probably easier to cut & fit also... ;D
|
|