Have you ever thought about woodworking? Would you, or have you considered building something bigger than a ‘Pinewood Derby Car’?
Millions are discovering the pleasures of woodworking. They are learning what it means to ‘Build it’ rather than buy it.
Whether it’s a shed, bird house, or jewelry box, woodworking is exploding.
This A Subject I Know Nothing About.
It was a chance conversation where I learned about the explosion of woodworking enthusiasts.
It started when I ran into a club manager for a woodworking shop. We had talked for several minutes before I learned he was a woodworker.
He told me there are hundreds woodworking clubs dedicated to teaching carpentry. I learned new clubs are forming every month.
Teaching carpentry is not for commercial work, but rather the hobbyist wishing to learn more about the trade.
The clubs are seemingly everywhere and are managed, on a non-profit model, by woodworkers committed to passing along their knowledge. Experience that is often several decades of woodworking and carpentry work.
While the skill sets of professional carpenters and amateur woodworkers will intersect, the clubs that are popping up have their focus on teaching woodworking. The woodworkers often morph into a wood addicts.
I was told there is a waiting list for membership with a one year minimum wait to get into his club.
More out of politeness than curiosity, I asked him what was the most important part of a project. What is it, a woodworker needs to have. What is the ‘one thing.’
I was shocked when he told me, “Good, detailed plans.”
I was expecting tools. All kinds of tools. Any tool. With my limited woodworking experience I expected to hear something like ‘power saws or routers’.
My thinking made sense. Home Depot has a special section just for tools. I’ve heard it called the tool crib. Some say tool box. I have never heard of a ‘plans and designs’ crib.