Woodworking And The Internet

[cabinetman]

Has the Internet changed woodworking? You bet your bippy. Think about how easy it is these days for a complete novice interested in either a hobby, or a business, to get involved. That person can sign up on a forum and get all the latest details on tools, and supplies, and get talked through step by step on most any subject.

A little bit different when I got started. No Internet, very few outlets for supplies, tools and machinery, and not much help anywhere. Everything was pretty much trial and error, and a lot of errors.

I also think the Internet may provide a trickle down effect for the hobby, or as as profession. Maybe our young ones that hang out in the shop will get inspired to "carry on". One thing for sure about woodworking forums, the knowledge base gets shared and you get to "meet" some great people.
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[germdoc]

You are completely right. Any hobby has a million times more information on the internet than was available before, not to mention products on Amazon and other sites.

If you are into collecting obscure things like records and handplanes, the internet is a bonanza. The downside is you have to compete with every other Tom, Dick and Harry who has an internet connection.

My current "hobbies" are woodworking, cycling and guitar playing...planning to get into guitar building one of these days. In each case I have joined forums and learned way more than anybody ever should before starting a hobby, making a purchase, etc.

[Bruce Cohen]

Being the cynical grump that I am, think about all the WRONG information one can get on the internet.

Bruce

[pelligrini]

I think it has really helped. I would think that with all the information out there a fledgling woodworker can produce better work in a shorter amount of time. I mean that the learning curve can be shortened slightly. A lot of my techniques and methods (& tools) dramatically improved once I started consuming lots of info from the net. The variety of magazines I have subscribed to has made a big difference too.

I wish there was a place like this where I could have learned more information when I started in on woodworking. I probably would never have started off with a Skill 10" benchsaw or the other bargain basement craftsman tools. I'm probably pretty lucky I never got terribly hurt either.

[Knottscott]

I've pondered the impact the internet must have on the industry many times. Consumers must be so much better educated now. It's got to impact what suppliers offer, what they charge, and clearance deals spread like crazy....how many got deals with the MS Cashback at 25-30% off? Or how about the $180 Sears 17" DP, the $229 Delta 22-580 planers, $400 Ridgid 3650, $150 BT3100, $20 Holbren bit set, or $80 Biese fences? How many would have been comfortable shelling out $500-$1000 for a Craftsman hybrid without the reassurance from many happy users on the internet? How well known would the Grizzly 1023 cabinet saw be (or Grizzly in general) without the web influence?

It's also got to impact sellers and manufacturers when there are bigger problems that don't get handled well, whether customer service or reliability issues....think about things like the arbor issue on the Ridgid 3650 shortly after it came out, the warped fence issue on the Delta 37-195 jointer, the switch issues on the HF DC, or the current Laguna CS complaints....they spread like wild fire.

[Shep]

Yeah, the Internet has really helped me get more involved with my woodworking. While I'm still pretty new to the forum, I have found myself more involved with so many different aspects I never knew existed. A good idea on the Internet spreads like a wildfire. I keep running across great ideas both here and around the web. This causes me to spend more time in my shop and arrive at beter results.

[crokett]

Being the cynical grump that I am, think about all the WRONG information one can get on the internet.

Bruce

As do I. Although with time you learn to recognize on most forums who gives right and wrong answers. Also, the internet is like any other resource and you should not stop your critical thinking about the answers you find there.

[jussi]

I never would have even thought about getting into it without sites like these.

[dbhost]

Honestly, I think for me, it sped me up a LOT... Most of the comm colleges around here no longer offer woodworking classes, and there are very few clubs anywhere nearby...

Forums like this one, the creek, woodworkingtalk etc... have gotten me in touch with some great people that have helped my skills and my workshop jump light years ahead of where they would have been without it, but I probably would have gotten there...

[cabinetman]

Being the cynical grump that I am, think about all the WRONG information one can get on the internet.

Bruce

Taking that one step further, information from "I heard", or "I read somewhere", can propagate myths that may or may not be true, but get spread out to be taken as truths. Even information from personal experience only represents an opinion.
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