What I've learned from David Marks

[cgallery]

I watch David Marks ("Wood Works") from time to time. I've learned quite a bit, but one thing I've noticed is how slowly he works. He lets the blade do the cutting. He takes his time cleaning up corners w/ a chisel. He lets the editor reduce the work to the required 23-minutes.

As a result I've noticed I've slowed-down substantially. My cuts are cleaner (even when my blade isn't super-sharp), and I feel like safety has improved.

In comparison, I watched Scott Phillips on American Woodshop for the first time the other day and he works like a madman. Completely different (unnerving) style.

[jspelbring]

Turning like a top

I recently bought the Woodturning Projects DVD with Raffan. It's somewhat dated (1981?), but I noticed that he also works very fast. I know that he's a master turner and all, but some of his techniques, and the proximity of his fingers to the spinning wood and dreaded skew chisel scare the sh*t out of me. To his credit though, despite the speed, he's very accurate.

[DonHo]

I have Raffen's dvd also and he is very fast, moves the tool rest with the lathe still turning, etc. He does say what he's doing is not recommended for safety, but just something he does for speed in production turning.
DonHo

[scmhogg]

I love watching David Marks. He is an amazing craftsman. I use scrapers a lot more because of him.

My only problem is his voice. It makes my worry that years of dust have affected him. He always sounds out of breath. It makes me feel out of breath while I watch.

Steve

[JoeyGee]

I've watched a couple epsisodes of the American Workshop with Scott Phillips recently for the first time in a while. I have to agree, the guy looks like he is on speed or something. The show's pace is just frantic.

I don't think the show has always been like this. The newer episodes looks like he's trying to build furniture in 15 minutes or less, and he's not as "folksy" as he used to be.

I agree, I like DM's approach much better, I just don't care for some of the projects he does.

[rjwaldren]

I think most people could learn alot from watching David Marks. He's slowly and takes the time to demonstrate the use of the scrapers and planes. I don't particularly care for the designs he tends to showcase, but his methods are why I watch.

I've learned alot from his glue-ups. I used to use Norm's bead of glue and smash it together approach - But since I've started brushing and rolling both surfaces, cleanup is alot easier and I feel the joint is much stronger. I don't think fasteners would add any significant strength to my joints.

Norm and others are more geared to the home workshop though. It cracked me up on a recent Woodworks when David matter-of-factly advised running your 12" plank diagonally across what must have been a 15"+ jointer.

[jonmulzer]

I like his show, but he smiles so much I think the man is on lithium. I find it a little unnerving. He almost has the cold-blooded smile of a serial killer. Or maybe it is just me? *cocks eyebrow*

[guycox]

I like his show, but he smiles so much I think the man is on lithium. I find it a little unnerving. He almost has the cold-blooded smile of a serial killer. Or maybe it is just me? *cocks eyebrow*

If I was sitting on a stash of Claro Walnut as large as what David Marks has, I'd be grinning like a hound dog trying to pass a peach pit..