anyone watch Norm tonight

[John Williams]

norm who?
JOHN

[drumpriest]

David Marks definitely used to build several prototypes at different stages of completion, then filmed making the thing in 2 days. Insane, really, when you consider the complexities of the pieces involved. I don't build ANYTHING in two days.

[jonmulzer]

When life happens I am lucky to get simple projects done in two months. I started a wine rack two weeks ago and in one day cut all the pieces (300+), laid out everything, etc. I got all that done in one day. I now have a couple of hours worth of work left to do to finish and have not been able to get it done because first my basement flooded and now we are working 12 hrs/day, 7 days a week because an emergency came up. Apparently Norm has no such issues, hehe.

[Pappy]

I, for one, would like to see somebody doing a show on how to build things using the tools that are more likely to be found in the shop of (and the budget of) Joe Ordinary.

DIY used to have such a show. The "Craftsman's" name was Johnson I think. His biggie in the tool inventory was a DeWalt bench top table saw. Not qa bad show but the best entertainment was listening to him screw up terminology.

[LCHIEN]

norm who?
JOHN

Norm Abrams of the New Yankee Workshop woodworking show on PBS.
http://www.newyankee.com/about.php

[jussi]

because first my basement flooded and now we are working 12 hrs/day, 7 days a week because an emergency came up. Apparently Norm has no such issues, hehe.

NYW are his 12/hr days (or how ever long it takes to film those shows). And as far as personal emergencies, I'm sure he's got PA's for that.

[drumpriest]

Certainly I do things in bursts. I could see finishing a large project in 1-2 weeks if that's all I was doing. Except for the finish, of course. Also I tend to work on things that take a long time and I don't think ahead enough for time efficiency.

The veneer that I needed to use (pressed today) has been flattening all week, so I wasn't very efficient there.

If I were pro, I'd definitely have a spray booth for finishing. I think the hand rub stuff is great, but hard to justify all of that time to a client.

[goslin23]

From what I understand, Norm does all the work himself using an assistant only for cleanup and finishes. He makes 3 of each piece of 99% of the projects he builds. One for himself, one for Russel Morash (the producer) and one for publicty shots. This season he had help from a female production assistant on the Adirondack Trio which was fun to watch.

Most of the tools he uses are not unusual for a typical weekend warrior, but he does have a few goodies that my shop will never see (that enormous wide belt sander for sure!). I've seen him use the basic Kreg R3 rocket jig (which I just bought at the woodworkers show), his portable 12" planer and various other portable power tools that you could pick up at the BORG. In fact, the NYW is not actually Norms shop, but belongs to Morash and sits beside the Victory Garden.

There hasn't been a project the Norm does that I feel that I couldn't do with the tools that I have (except turning some legs, I need a lathe). It's not the tools, but the talent that holds me back But I'm still learning!

-=gos=-

[kirkroy]

Let's not even mention David Marks saying something like (definitely not an accurate quotation): "angle the piece into the jointer". He had something like a 6" workpiece that he was sending in at a significant angle on his ~16" jointer... Um, yeah, there's someone, somewhere with a jointer like that in their home workshop!

[jonmulzer]

There is, David Marks.

His workshop tour is very interesting to watch. Watching him do a tune-up on a 20" bandsaw was interesting. He acted like every craftsman has one in their shop.

[TheRic]

... This season he had help from a female production assistant on the Adirondack Trio which was fun to watch. ...

Which part?

[poolhound]

SPeaking of mistakes and problems, I just watched one of the Wood Works episodes the DVR recored this weekend. It was all about repairs for damaged stock and those little oops moments. He fixed mortises in the wrong place and blown out edges.

He also showed how to make a piece of wood longer if you cut it too short - clever stuff.

[rnelson0]

Surely even Norm must make a mistake every now and again.

I saw him drop a screw once when he was putting something together, actually had to get another screw instead!