Csevin
Member
Registered: 09/08/08
Posts: 654
Loc: Whittier, California
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I sent you a PM response to your post. Hope it helps you out with your research/project.
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daveferg
member
Registered: 02/19/02
Posts: 39819
Loc: Cloverdale, CA, USA
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Annie---after responding and re-reading your first post, I thought of a couple other subjects you might want to explore.
First, you might want to ask how many of us got our start from:
---taking woodworking in school.
---from a family member
---other--maybe like from TV and New Yankee Workshop, etc
As far as perpetuating the "species", you might want to consider where future woodworkers will come from since so many schools are dropping woodworking classes, and NYW is long gone, with problems replacing it.
On another subject, you mentioned the concept of designing tools and such for easier use in woodworking. That might take another set of questions on tool buying/use habits. 
Good luck.
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Dave
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Mike77
Member
Registered: 02/23/05
Posts: 1555
Loc: Hardin, Montana
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What does it mean to be a woodworker?
Hmmm, the hobby/sports world breaks itself down into two basic categories. Those that just do the thing and those that are religious zealots about it. You know the types in the second category. I'm sure you've talked to skiers or golfers that just won't shut up about it.
I am in the first category. I like doing it, but lets not get crazy. I have a stressful job. Hobbies are a way to release stress. I also fly airplanes, do photography, fishing, rc helicopters, salt water reef aquariums, target shooting and reloading, just about anything that costs more than I can afford I try to do.
Mike
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ianab
Member
Registered: 01/24/05
Posts: 2558
Loc: New Zealand
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"What does it mean to you to be a woodworker?"
By definition it's a person that "works" with wood. That could be anything from chainsaw carving a life size bear out of a log, to using a fret saw to make wooden jewellery. Furniture, musical instruments, building trim, skateboards.. Anything made of wood, or even using wooden parts.
Do you think there are varying categories of woodworkers?
Heck yes. Both in expertise and the type of work they are doing. I don't think it's easy to put wood workers into easy to define boxes, my woodworking skills are meagre, and my work simple, but I'm doing things that some others would not dream of doing. Mostly in the "don't try this at home class"
What is your favorite part about your hobby?
Being able to start with a standing tree, and end up with a piece of furniture
Do you have a specialty? What is it and why do you like it?
I guess that would be making use of unwanted trees, and turning them useful things. Furniture, toys etc.
Do you have a favorite piece that you have made?
Would you be willing to post pictures and give background stories?
This is a cot I build a few years back for my daughter. Like I said above, simple design, but I cut down the Bluegum Eucalyptus and the Port Orford Cedar trees that it was built from. Milled the logs, dried the green wood and then built the piece.
Good luck with your project.
Ian
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DonJuvet
Hasn't learned
Registered: 06/03/08
Posts: 1730
Loc: Northern Cal
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I am a woodworker.
Best part, I get to draw pictures, then build something that loooks like the picture.
See more here. www.juvetwoodwork.com
I have been an artist all of my life and still get excited about buying art supplies.
See what I did with them here.
(shameless plug) www.sirwiliamscross.org.
Best thing is, you get to keep yourself warm with the scraps. And mistakes 
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Woodwork... It's what I do for a living.
(well, such as it may be, It's my job)
((cept my boss is a @#!*&))
I think I'm gonna fire myself for that
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steve68steve
Member
Registered: 11/03/02
Posts: 5899
Loc: Northampton, PA
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What does it mean to you to be a woodworker?
def: making useful or pretty objects out of wood
esoteric: self-sufficiency; control over specs, quality, design
Do you think there are varying categories of woodworkers?
Specialists and generalists. Maybe some of the generalists lean on a specialty a lot. E.g., a general ww'er who likes/ is good at turning will make flat work with turned legs, spindles, finials, etc. Someone who doesn't turn will avoid those styles/ details. Some ONLY turn, or ONLY make boxes. If that's a "category of WWer," then yes.
What is your favorite part about your hobby?
self-sufficiency; control over specs, quality, design. Quenching "skill hunger."
p.s. Friend recently commented to me, "'fun' is figuring out how to solve a new problem." I think that explains a lot in a very few words, while applying to things as varied as ww'ing, video games, computer programming, gardening, and on and on and on.
Subjugating nature to enhance our survival is "fun" for humans. WWing is one little piece of that - and a fundamental piece - like gardening, hunting, fishing, sewing... it's shelter-building and tool-making. Hmm, I guess self-expression figures in there somewhere, too, as a fundamental human "need." WWing can kill two need birds with one stone: skill hunger + self expression.
Do you have a specialty? What is it and why do you like it?
Would be hard not to confuse "specialty" with "lack of generalist" skills. I.e., if I only have enough room for a small lathe but have the skills, ability, etc. to crank out a kitchen, am I still counted as "specializing in pens" or am I generalist with external limitations?
Do you have a favorite piece that you have made? Would you be willing to post pictures and give background stories?
There've been projects I've enjoyed doing, and projects that turned out well. That makes a 2x2 array.
It's much easier (and maybe more telling) to recall LEAST favorite projects... even least favorite processes. Sanding, finishing, e.g., are often thought of as "necessary evils" rather than an enjoyable piece of the total process of producing a piece.
Disclaimer: I'm strange, apparently. I replied because I thought a "strange" data point might be helpful.
Good luck with your project!! Always great to hear about young people interested in woodworking.
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Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
Arthur Schopenhauer (1788 - 1860)
http://steve68steve68.blogspot.com/
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Halfathumb
Member
Registered: 08/11/04
Posts: 1045
Loc: SW Missouri
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AnnieCod said:
[LIST] What does it mean to you to be a woodworker? Pride in my craftsmanship and constantly being challanged with a chance of learning new skills & methods.
Do you think there are varying categories of woodworkers? Absolutley, small projects such as hanging shelves, display cases, turnings, etc.
What is your favorite part about your hobby?
Peace and serenity from the rest of the world.
Do you have a specialty? What is it and why do you like it? Predominatley making furniture for family and fund raisers. The personal satisfaction of the completed project and looking at it and feeling pride of my craftmanship. Especially seeing the how the people I made it for are pleased and their enjoyment of showing it off.
Do you have a favorite piece that you have made? Would you be willing to post pictures and give background stories?
A couple of years ago the week after Thanksgiving I met with the preist who gave me thumb nail pic from a catalog of the altar the church wanted for the chapel. No hurry, just need it by Jan. 16th when the Bishop comes to bless it. I came home and told my wife I don't have a clue how I'm going to make this and that I would need devine intervention on this. So whenever I worked on it I would play Christmas music and let God guide my hands. This was the end result.
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Dear God:Please help me be as great as my dogs think I am.
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MidKnight
Member
Registered: 03/17/11
Posts: 230
Loc: Boston area
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Hello!
What does it mean to you to be a woodworker?
"Being a woodworker" doesn't mean much past the obvious to me. Anybody can be a woodworker. I think what we all strive for is to be a Craftsman. Somebody that has gained an intimate understanding of the materials, methods and design languages in order to be able to create something that is unique, beautiful and elegant.
Do you think there are varying categories of woodworkers?
Absolutely. Beginner to master Craftsman. Turners to Carvers to Cabinet Makers. Electron burners to Hand workers. I'm a rank amateur furniture builder that burns plenty of electrons but yearns to understand the art of hand tools.
What is your favorite part about your hobby?
Being able to create. I love to make things. To see rough wood become a leg blank. To see that leg blank take shape. To see that shape become part of a larger whole piece. To see that piece fit in my house and my life.
Do you have a specialty? What is it and why do you like it?
No specialty yet. Too new.
Do you have a favorite piece that you have made? Would you be willing to post pictures and give background stories?
Again, I'm new. But my first real furniture piece is my favorite. I've done a few cabinets and a lot of work fixing up my house. But my first piece that I conceived of and executed is my favorite. It now sits next to the recliner in our nursery that will - in a few weeks - have twins in it.
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Imakmst©
Never Learns
Registered: 01/18/05
Posts: 11809
Loc: Northeast TN (Heaven)
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a favorite project of mine
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This isnt a woodworking group, its a group of mostly imbeciles and retards. FearMonger 8-Feb-2012
The S&W 27-2, "a fire belching weapon of the gods"
The S&W Model 10: "the revolver with everything you need and nothing that you don't"
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Imakmst©
Never Learns
Registered: 01/18/05
Posts: 11809
Loc: Northeast TN (Heaven)
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Or, how to make a project out of a piece destined for the firewood stack
this:
to this:
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This isnt a woodworking group, its a group of mostly imbeciles and retards. FearMonger 8-Feb-2012
The S&W 27-2, "a fire belching weapon of the gods"
The S&W Model 10: "the revolver with everything you need and nothing that you don't"
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