Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, WD (or W.D.)

[cabinetman]

Doctors cut patients (surgery), we cut wood. The "MD" after the name is a given and earned title. I suggest that all things being equal, with the knowledge base and skill, professional woodworkers should be adding a "WD" (Wood Doctor), after their name.

I'm considering the similarities between "patients" for doctors and "customers" for woodworkers. Is there much of a difference?

And, what about the "customer service" I get? I have had bad service from plumbers, carpet cleaners, cable repair folks, mechanics, etc etc etc. "Customer Service" has deteriorated in every walk of life since I've been a kid.

There are bad doctors (and mechanics and etc). But I believe most try to do the best they can.

What's my take? You are not my customer. You are my patient. There's a big difference there that most people don't get (especially the MBA office managers who have no medical knowledge at all).

Lets examine the similarities between MD's, and WD's.

In both cases, there is an initial "need" or "problem" that requires a professional with the specific knowledge and experience.

Next, there is a meeting to discuss the "need", and the "professional" listens to details concerning the "need" or "problem".

Next, the professional utilizes experience and knowledge to analyze the information.

Next, the professional discusses the treatment of the problem, and explains all the ramifications, and makes plans for further treatment of the situation.

Next is any practical work, which includes a hands on method, for MD's it may be something like orthopedic repair, or surgery. For WD's it would be the woodworking.

Next consider the knowledge of the drugs and chemicals, and materials. For MD's it would be drugs, drops, and ointments, or implements. For WD's it would be wood species, glues, solvents, stains, and finishes.

Next consider that there are those that are called "doctor" that may have nothing to do with medicine, such as PhD's, EdD's.

Next consider certification. For MD's, an undergrad degree and approved medical school degree is needed. For WD's there are certification standards set forth by the AWI (Architectural Woodwork Institute). There's also a multitude of guilds and associations.

Next consider that for MD's, health treatment can be for life or death, but only during life. For WD's, the results can be appreciated for an indefinite amount of time.

And, guess what? WD's still make house calls.

Cabinetman W.D., sounds kinda catchy, don't ya think?
.

[LCHIEN]

most of your "patients" are already dead, tho. Cab man.

[gsmittle]

Must suppress urge for bad pun..... aaaaaaaah!

1. I always thought a "wood doctor" was a urologist.

2. I used to work with a shop teacher (when it was still called "shop") who considered getting his PhD. He called it the "Doctor Wood Butcher" degree.

3. Don't get me started on the EdDs......

Off to the shop to mangle my patients, er, ah, patience.....

g.

[downtheroad]

I work in a 2-man furniture finishing/repair business. In the shop, we'll put on our lab coats when we are mixing colors or staining/glazing a piece. Our coats are heavily covered with color splatters, spills, etc.

We also do a lot of on-site touch-up and repair work, often for manufacturers and furniture showrooms. Many calls are done in the showroom or customer's home/business. We've gotten into the habit of wearing "clean" lab coats in these environments. Besides keeping our "street clothes" from getting too messed up, it does give us a professional look.

On these on-site service calls, we might be fixing sagging cabinet doors, sticking drawers, or a loose or broken leg. We'll be working on an "boo-boo", matching colors from our color kits and applying with an artist's brush. Or from our kit of burn-in colored resin sticks and burn-in knife, we'll fill dings. Often when a client/observer sees us working, we will hear a comment referring to us as furniture doctors. It does have a certain ring.

[cabinetman]

most of your "patients" are already dead, tho. Cab man.

I'm glad I'm outliving them. The thought of meeting with the family and providing an eternal remembrance of the deceased's love for woodworking would be a discussion on the ultimate wood casket. BTW, casket building is a very controlled field.
.

[cabinetman]

I work in a 2-man furniture finishing/repair business. In the shop, we'll put on our lab coats when we are mixing colors or staining/glazing a piece. Our coats are heavily covered with color splatters, spills, etc.

We also do a lot of on-site touch-up and repair work, often for manufacturers and furniture showrooms. Many calls are done in the showroom or customer's home/business. We've gotten into the habit of wearing "clean" lab coats in these environments. Besides keeping our "street clothes" from getting too messed up, it does give us a professional look.

On these on-site service calls, we might be fixing sagging cabinet doors, sticking drawers, or a loose or broken leg. We'll be working on an "boo-boo", matching colors from our color kits and applying with an artist's brush. Or from our kit of burn-in colored resin sticks and burn-in knife, we'll fill dings. Often when a client/observer sees us working, we will hear a comment referring to us as furniture doctors. It does have a certain ring.

Hey, I have a lab coat too. Mine isn't white though, it about 3,850 colors. Craftspeople and artists sometimes are very touchy about how they are perceived. I view my dedication and skills are as honed as a profession, as a doctor views his. Not that the two are up for voting on importance.

But, there was a time that the only way you had furniture, is if it was custom made. Those were the times that medical help was in its infancy. I think if I lived in those times, I would feel better trusting my furniture maker for furniture, than trusting my doctor for medical help.

So, the WD after the name might be a little egomaniacal, maybe it's time to give us some recognition.
.

[cwithboat]

In woodworking it's OK to be an amateur.
In woodworking it's OK to learn from your mistakes

Note that in your discussion of professionals the points made apply to the pros that ex-Gov Spitzer was working with

[rnelson0]

1. I always thought a "wood doctor" was a urologist.

My boss calls his proctologist "Dr. Finger"

[germdoc]

You forgot to mention they both talk in convoluted jargon unintelligible to the average person--"muttons", "mortises", "quartersawn" and the like.

Highly trained professionals in both fields charge an arm and a leg for their work. (Though WWers don't take Medicaid or provide charity care that I know of.)

Now if wood doctors made their "patients" wait more than an hour or so for each visit you'd be on to something. (OK, sometimes contractors might refer to "fitting you in" sometime in the slow season a few months from now, but still.)