Website Changes

Sweep the Floor

Rob Carver

When someone takes on the responsibility to write monthly articles for the website, it takes a very thoughtful, observant person to continue to select a worthy topic.  (Just ask Andrew Davis.)  For example, how many of us who visited last month's wonderful tour of Old Sturbridge Village came away with something inspirational?

Rob noticed that in the OSV woodshop there were wood shavings on the floor and various other remnants of woodworking that were not cleared.  One could chalk that up to the working nature of the woodshop and viewing it as theatrical scenery.  Perhaps so did Rob but he took it a few steps beyond that.  Rob saw the Zen in this common woodworking scene and writes another thoughtful, inspirational article that takes a subtlety and gives it meaning in the June MTCO article Sweep the Floor.

This will be the last article before we resume formal activities in September.  All articles this year will be made accessible via the archive later this summer.  Thanks go to Rob for his continuous supply of creative, thoughtful, insightful lessons learned that provoke consideration.

EMGW members gathered at the Visitor’s Center of the Old Sturbridge Village where  Chris Nassise, owner of the Green Woodshop in Easton and is the Cabinetmaker in Residence at the Village, led a tour of the Cabinetmaking Shop, OSV replica houses, and the sawmilll.  OSV is replica of a rural village at the turn of the 19^th century to mid-19^th century.

The Customer is King, or Maybe Not

by Andrew Davis

When you’re considering a new tool or service, where do you go to assist your decision making?  There are no shortages of website locations and YouTube videos to move you from ignorant to aware, or negative to positive, or unsure to whatever.  But by now we all know that everything one reads on the Internet does not carry the authoritative information one seeks.

In the May issue, Andrew writes about customer reviews and their locations where potential buyers go for acquiring accurate, trustworthy woodworking information from actual users.  After loads of experience and research, Andrew feels very comfortable with the location of his primary choice.  Click “The Customer is King, or Maybe Not” to find his go-to resource.  Personally speaking, I'd give his article.

Andrew welcomes your feedback.

Work Slow; It's Faster

Rob Carver

Bigger is Better.  Really?  Well, sometimes.  Cheaper?  Not always favorable in the cost/benefit analysis.  Faster?  The temptation to skip a step or dare I say not measure twice, is sometimes is a difficult option to avoid despite echoes of Ben Franklin's warning that "haste makes waste".  In this May issue of Work Slower; It's Faster, Rob brings to us thoughtful support to consider our woodworking process with respect to our desire to be more productive.  In fact, being more thoughtful while working is a good first step to being more productive.  We like to use machines; why should we try to be one?

You can reach Rob for comments and additional information, click Rob Carver.

Getting Started in Woodworking

A Guidebook for the Novice

By The EMGW Guidebook Team

Various members of EMGW led by Andrew Davis have been involved with planning, designing, writing, reviewing, formatting, and writing more a guidebook for beginners in woodworking.  The mission of this project has been to supply a document that would provide insight and a morale boost to someone who has an interest in woodworking but not sure how to answer the questions, how do I get started, and what do I need to know.  This all-volunteer, multi-month project attempts to provide answers to that person with a compendium of instructional and informative articles to build awareness and confidence.  That being said, I'm guessing that even experienced woodworkers will get something out of reading the guidebook.

To access, click Member -> Member Map

Meeting was held at Tim Holiner's workshop.

You Can't Have Too Many Clamps

Rob Carver

Sometimes it's a guessing game with Rob's articles.  I read the title and wonder what will be the meaning of the article.  This one should not have been a surprise.  But then there it was.  How could I have missed it at the outset?  Then continuing the read it evolved into the warmth and feeling that emerges from Rob's writing.  So take a guess before clicking.  What do you think the message is in this article called You Can't Have Too Many Clamps?

Divining Rod For Fun and Pleasure

by Andrew Davis

This month Andrew finds the time to bring to our attention an old tool in a new light - the diving rod.  It appears from the article, Andrew has come up with an imaginative use for the tool and a new way to make one.  But if you are not as handy as Andrew, find it online.  Use SKU 0401.