Nahm Junkies Meet Here

[JoeyGee]

I didn't want to jump into the fray on the other thread, so I created my own .

I would consider myself a NYW junkie. Norm is the reason I have been captivated by this fine hobby. Without PBS and NYW, I would probably be blowing my money in a much more sensible fashion, like gambling.

In case you have not seen it, there is a great fan site, run by the Woodbutcher:

www.Normstools.com

Which led me to this site, with a lot of behind the scenes info:

http://www.designnews.com/info/CA6465875.html

...including a podcast broaching the subject of the infmaous brad nailer...

[TheRic]

...including a podcast broaching the subject of the infmaous brad nailer...

I don't get the chance to watch Nahm to much, hes' not on when I'm free and he's on when I'm not free. So could you enlighten me on this please.

[JoeyGee]

Some people take issue with Norm over using his brad nailer, noting mechanical fasteners shouldn't be used in fine woodworking--noting he is a carpenter making furniture. He often remarks that brads will hold "until the glue dries".

In the later episodes, he appears to do this less.

[LarryG]

In the later episodes, he appears to do this less.

I first began to notice this last season ... he'll say things like, "This will have a stained finish and I don't want any mechanical fasteners to show." This has continued in the few episodes I've seen this year. It's almost as if he's responding to the criticism he's received on this point over the years.

[gsmittle]

Nahm's the reason I got hooked on woodworking, too. I really don't mind the bazillion tools or the brad nailer. Both are his choice, not mine. Usually I can find a way to approximate his joinery with the tools I have on hand. OTOH, I have way more than two days to put a project together.

I find Nahm's presentation style very watchable. I'm gonna open a can of worms here, I know, but for all his skill I find David Marks less interesting to watch. Something about his presentation irks me. He makes great furniture, usually originals rather than Nahm's reproductions, but I find him harder to watch.

Different tastes, I guess.

Anyway, I have the DVR set up to record Nahm whenever, wherever he is.

g.

[bfrikken]

I've noticed he switched to a Pin Nailer, hasn't he?

[ejs1097]

I've learned a lot by watching Norm over the years. he used to show different ways of doing things in the past, sometimes using his router to make dadoes and sometimes using his table saw (for example) and you could learn different ways of doing things.

Can you really knock him saying he's a carpenter making furniture when he's been making furniture for at least 20 years. If he cuts on the wrong side of the kerf he surely doesn't chaulk the joint!

The DVR keeps track of when he's on, especially during pledge weeks.

[HarmsWay]

Add me to that list of inspired people. I also don't mind the plethora of tools. He uses what is made available to him and most of us would do the same. I do remember one episode though where he was making a point about building something without power tools then almost immediately went and used a power tool.

Bob

[poolhound]

Nahm's the reason I got hooked on woodworking, too. I really don't mind the bazillion tools or the brad nailer. Both are his choice, not mine. Usually I can find a way to approximate his joinery with the tools I have on hand. OTOH, I have way more than two days to put a project together.

I find Nahm's presentation style very watchable. I'm gonna open a can of worms here, I know, but for all his skill I find David Marks less interesting to watch. Something about his presentation irks me. He makes great furniture, usually originals rather than Nahm's reproductions, but I find him harder to watch.

Different tastes, I guess.

Anyway, I have the DVR set up to record Nahm whenever, wherever he is.

g.

I will add some worms to the can

I agree 100%. I record both NYW and WW and end up having at least 4-6 to watch each week. While I enjoy both programs I much prefer to watch Nahm for the same reasons. He is much more down to earth than DM and I know exactly what you mean about DMs style, I cant put my finger on it but he sometimes seems more "high-felutin" (no idea how to spell that). While they both are promoting the craft of fine WWing DMs projects are rather more "artsy" than Norms. That said I do get great tips and ideas from both of them. I do notice that DMs projects nearly always involve resawing your own veneers and then stuffing them in that handy huge vacuum press - we all have one of these, right I am still hoping to add a good BS to my shop sometime soon so will be able to try my hand at this, I have some great figured stock set aside but will have to resort to clamping with cauls as no huge VP available.

On the subject of Norms "brads," I mostly see him use them for very practical reasons.

1. securing internal frame dadoes
2. adding small moldings
3. pinning internal draw/dust frames and stops
4. other "out of sight" type uses

These all seem totally OK to me and am sure that before the age of compressors, WWrs just used pins and a hammer

I just wish I could have a shop and tool collection half the size of either of these two fine craftsmen.