Thread: American woodworkers

Let's get back onto the discussion - time to get the Hijackers to 'Jackoff' this thread....
I've gotta say that it's pretty obvious that there is clearly a rich Woodworking history and tradition in America. I think if you took a straw poll of countries that people with an interest in woodworking would like to visit then the US would have to be up there. Others may disagree but we in this coutry just don't have that sort of tradition of design and styles, doesn't mean that we don't have examples of great individual work and emerging styles of our own just not the tradition that the Yanks do over the period of time...

I'd head to pommieland and europe before the US

Originally Posted by echnidna

I'd head to pommieland and europe before the US

Me too, every day of the week.

Originally Posted by Shedhand

I don't want to asault anyone's sensibilities but can anyone shed some light on why americans are so fixated on heavy ornate "cottage/heritage" furniture. It seems every woodworking site I visit is full of the stuff.

Perhaps because thats what American woodies like to make. Someone here said they would rather buy a genuine antique to a good repo. Why? The craftsmanship and time would be little different today as it was when the original was made. Quality = quality no matter when it was made. I buy antique furntiure for the history value not the level of craftsmanship.

The same applies to the European styles, be they edwardian,victorian,Italian,Spanish etc. Thats what the people like to make/ enjoy and use. The reply suggesting that some furniture is best for certain settings I would agree with. Most modern furniture is bland, souless crap that would fit most modern era homes anywhere in the western world.

At the end of the day it comes down to personal likes and dislikes.

The reason the websites tend to be that way as someone else pointed out is that a large amount of them derive from the USA. I take it that that means that there is a strong and flourishing woodcraft interest both hobby and professional level in the US. Perhaps we Aussies and Kiwis should be a little more proactive in sharing our craft, interests, designs etc by becoming part of the American online presence. Maybe we could show them a trick or two. Although that may be tough when you see this sorta thing

Go to the gallery section. Be patient it takes a mooment to load. An incredible level of craftsmanship here.

Originally Posted by Shedhand

Are there any Australian sites which have contempary plans available for people like me who live in the 21st century?

Sadly it doesnt appear so. The best I could find using Google were plans for parrot mobiles :eek:

Originally Posted by BrettC

Let's get back onto the discussion - time to get the Hijackers to 'Jackoff' this thread.... ...

Originally Posted by BrettC

I think if you took a straw poll of countries that people with an interest in woodworking would like to visit then the US would have to be up there. ...

Unfortunatly their are to many haters of all things American here in Australia for NO reason whatsoever. We just get childish comments about penis envey and the like, but their is no real reason to dislike them. The ones i have met are very nice people and their woodworking traditions are superb. English and European contemporary furniture whilst very good, runs second to that of America in my uninformed opinion

Originally Posted by BrettC

Others may disagree but we in this coutry just don't have that sort of tradition of design and styles, doesn't mean that we don't have examples of great individual work and emerging styles of our own just not the tradition that the Yanks do over the period of time...

This thread has proven that statement correct

Unfortunatly their are to many haters of all things American here in Australia for NO reason whatsoever.

I'm not a hater of all things American and I have some American friends who I like quite a lot. However, I think there are some very good reasons for disliking a lot of what America is about. None of them have much to do with this discussion though.

It's just par for the course that if you start a topic involving anything American on this forum, that it will generate a certain level of ##### stirring. You can thank a few past and present contributors from the US for that. Unfortunately one or two posters have done the reputation of their country no good here.

There is no doubt that the US has had a major influence on style over the last couple of hundred years, whether you like it or not is personal preference. To dislike it because it is American is just silly.

But I do hate hand beaten copper.

Originally Posted by Lignum

We just get childish comments about penis envey and the like, but their is no real reason to dislike them.

Well there's the aquaducts!

P

I know its subjective and personal taste, but i firmly believe that an American, Frank Polaro is by far the finest woowworker in the world at the moment. So take that all you Yank-haters out their

Originally Posted by silentC

But I do hate hand beaten copper.

I bet DanP agrees

Originally Posted by Lignum

...We just get childish comments about penis envey and the like, ...

It was a joke ya cranky old goat.

Originally Posted by Lignum

...i firmly believe that an American, Frank Polaro is by far the finest woowworker in the world at the moment....

He may well be; but does that make up for the rest of them?

Originally Posted by Cliff Rogers

It was a joke ya cranky old goat.



He may well be; but does that make up for the rest of them?

Cliffie, shouldnt you be out catchin cane toads or somethin

Cliff IS a cane toad!!!

Originally Posted by silentC

It's just par for the course that if you start a topic involving anything American on this forum, that it will generate a certain level of ##### stirring. You can thank a few past and present contributors from the US for that. Unfortunately one or two posters have done the reputation of their country no good here.

and a few have done the rep of their country just fine

Originally Posted by ryanarcher

and a few have done the rep of their country just fine

Won't argue with that, the firebug bloke seems pretty good.