Thread: David Marks and Woodworks

Hey Gumby

Woodworks is also on at 6.30am and 2.00pm

Regards Al

He does say his show is for the intermediate to advanced woodworker. Whilst he also has many good tools, he has shown how to do the mortices with the router many times. I guess if I had a multi-router, I'd use it instead.

If I was into laminating (which his show does a fair bit), I guess I would look at a vacumm press as well.

I have the four (basic) tools he mentions - tablesaw, planar, jointer and bandsaw.

I tried resawing on my Hafco Bandsaw (BP16A) with poor result (bowing in cut). Like David demonstrated on one of the shows, I started looking at the settings of the bandsaw. It was way out of being co-planar - once this was fixed and double checking all others - cut was straight. I have yet to try a thin veneer like he often does.

So full MARKS (pun intended) to his show. Lot's of ideas, good techniques, explanations of why - wood movement, glues, finishes etc.

Originally Posted by zymurgy

If I was into laminating (which his show does a fair bit), I guess I would look at a vacumm press as well.

I .

Oh yeah, I forgot about the vacuum press

Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking the show, just a bit dazzled at the equipment. I have trouble justifying the purchase of a new saw blade !

I agree that lots of his stuff is very advanced but I've aslo got quite a few tips from him. That's why i watch it most nights.

Originally Posted by Gumby

I have trouble justifying the purchase of a new saw blade !

There's your mistake!

I pefer the New Yankee Workshop. I find David Marks is about much fun as watching paint dry. I also notice he doesn't mention safty very much or use safety equipment that often

talking about safety, have you seen the show on after w/works . some of the stuff that guy gets up to gives me the shivers. cutting a 3 inch bit off a length of wood in between the fence and blade , when he pulled it free you could hear it ding on the blade. then he was going to cut a rebate on this 3 inch bit of wood with you guessed it , the table saw IDIOT.
seeyasoon mik.

I like David Marks, he's what I want to be as a woodworker, relaxed!

He's very calm and there can't be many who don't envy his workshop which is actually his own workshop and not a TV set.

I'm not anywhere near his league but still pick up some useful hints. One thing that's funny, which he admits to, is his preference for Tung Oil which he uses to finish pretty much everything with stunning results. I watch it every night without fail.

Tools & techniques which is the show after is the "How NOT To" show of the How To channel. I usually watch to see if he's doing anything with a large power tool and if he is watch eagerly to see how close he comes to killing himself. He makes my head shake side to side when he says "...well you get the idea..." which translates to "...I've really screwed that up so I should get onto the next disaster before anyone notices..." It's a great contrast to David Marks who breezes through technically difficult tasks. I sometimes feel woefully inadequate as a woodworker after watching Woodworks but I'm soon feeling better after 5 minutes of TNT I'm feeling good about myself again.

Just went to diynet.com to get the hosts name and he's obviously been replaced and there is no reference to him at all, not surprised.

HH

I like to watch Woodworks when I can. I prefer New Yankee Workshop but I never seem to be able to catch it. Should set up the video but then I'd have to find time to watch it.

There is an expectation that you have a pretty well set up workshop with both of these shows. They turn to the drum sander a lot and I just roll my eyes and think 'wouldn't it be nice'.

It's a bit of a catch 22. If you have all that gear, you probably don't need the level of instruction he is giving. I find most of the Woodworks projects are definiately in the lower end of the intermediate scale. The show just isn't long enough to do anything complex. At least thats the idea I've gotten from the shows I have seen. I've seen him make mirror frames, bookshelves, spice racks etc.

On the other hand, if you're at the lower intermediate end (like me), you probably don't have all the gear and can't justify it until your skills develop.

Anyway, it beats most of the other crap on TV.

There is an expectation that you have a pretty well set up workshop with both of these shows.

I have not seen the David Marks show (only have standard Foxtel). I do enjoy watching Norm. While I would hardely be the one to recommend to anyone that you should not buy more tools (can you imagine me saying this ). However, I do brindle at the suggestion, even if by implication, that one needs a workshop full of tools, especially power tools, in order to build furniture. I fear that this message would put a lot of people off woodworking, either because they felt overwhelmed by the apparent complexity of woodworking, or because they felt that it was an expensive pasttime. I am always mindful of the street woodworkers of Indonesia who sit on the pavement and build complex furniture with intricate joints - a lot of the furniture that is in our furniture shops. A simple homemade plane, a communial drill, a few homemade chisels, a handsaw. No workbench - instead they work on the pavement and use their bodies to secure the work.

I'd like to see a show that concentrated on building furniture, of good design, without short cuts, teaching traditional joinery where required, offering modern alternatives if indicated, and using (both hand- and power-) tools that are available to the average woodworker.

Regards from Perth

Derek

David Marks did do a show making some project using only hand tools.

what foxtel channel is this show on please?

Originally Posted by seriph1

what foxtel channel is this show on please?

digital 118

DIY. Only available on Digital....

Derek, you're right. As soon as I see them using a machine I don't have, I think "well, that's another project I wont be making". In actual fact, I should be thinking "OK, I don't have a drum sander, so how would I do that with what I have got".

I suspect that what happens is the shows create a sudden need in a lot of people to go out and get a drum sander.

Whether or not you need a workshop full of machines comes down to how much time you are prepared to spend learning the manual skills. If you have lots of cash and little time and you decide you want to 'do woodwork' then filling your shed with machines is a quick and easy way to get into it. Then you watch Norm and Marks and they'll tell you what to do with them all.

Those street woodworkers in Indonesia have done their time and have the skills to do what needs to be done. It's actually a lot easier to learn those things if you have someone to show you and it takes years to become proficient. Going the Norm way means you can 'buy' the skill & precision and learn how to use it from a book, or a half hour TV show.

I'm having trouble expressing this but the image I have in my head is of woodworking as an 'off the shelf' product that you can buy. All you need are the money and the inclination.

Originally Posted by silentC

Going the Norm way means you can 'buy' the skill & precision and learn how to use it from a book, or a half hour TV show.

Darren

Actually, of course, you can't 'buy' the skill - as you know. I think that Norm's show is intended to demonstrate not necessarily how to do it but more what is possible. If I'm right then New Yankee Workshop is a worthwhile programme because it encourages people like us who have a deep interest in woodworking already. Incidentally, I also think that characterising power tool fans as 'Normites' may be a useful quick label but it probably does both Norm and the aforementioned fans a disservice. We're all woodworkers.

Originally Posted by silentC

I'm having trouble expressing this but the image I have in my head is of woodworking as an 'off the shelf' product that you can buy. All you need are the money and the inclination.

I agree with the thought and I think you've expressed it quite well. The home reno shows and a good many of the other DIY programmes skip very lightly over the surface and don't get to the real meat of woodworking (unlike Norm's show - which does). I'd like to see the type of show Derek describes. I also think there would be a decent audience for such a show.

Now that's all a bit serious for a Tuesday morning!

And on that thought I'll wash you ill a 'Good Moaning' and rooturn to the day's tisks.

Captoon Crabtroo.