Ouch

[paulgordon]

Just watching DIY's Kitchen Renovations.  Nice to see that to get a precise cut on a maple countertop that they pulled out a Festool plunge saw.  Shocked to see that the entire cut edge was burned and 'finished' with a belt sander.  Forward splinter guard also missing. 

 

[Holzhacker]

Can you say, 'moron who doesn't know how to use a saw'? I use my belt sander for scribing mainly. I might use it for finishing if it's a cheap rental unit job. I've seen some of the DIY shows. I can't really stand watching them. The majority of the work performed and materials used, look great to start but aren't done to last for years.

 

[Neill]

It's so true. Rarely do you see real top notch work on these shows. This Old House is the exception, but I swear one time Tommy was using his TS 55 in a homeowners furnished living room WITHOUT THE VAC! Tisk Tisk. On the plus side I recently watched another DIY a show where they installed counter tops made of recycled paper (they look like a stone product). The "crunchy" installers had all Festools and used guide rails, TS 55 and Festool sanders + CT 22 in what looked like a very well done installation.

What bothers me about most of these shows is there is rarely anything new. Tiling bathrooms, finishing basements and kitchen cabinets over and over and over. I miss some of the shop based shows like Woodworks, Norm and there was even a low budget show from Iowa that was interesting in covering the basics of a wood shop.

Deke,

The show you are thinking of that came from Iowa was the Woodsmith Shop.  It was great because they showed tips and techniques.  They publish a magazine called Woodsmith.  It is OK.  A few tips and techniques.  Some projects, but I find that their plans are very confusing. (not hard to do in my case).  There is no advertising in the magazine.  I kind of like advertising.  No tool comparisons or evaluations.

They also have an online site, which was kind of minimal, the last time I looked, publications, dvd's, some plans and some tools.  They have a retail store in Des Moines which from what I understand is pretty nice.  Never been there though.  Maybe someone can comment that has been there.  I think that they do carry Festool as they are a Rockler dealer I believe.

As far as the programming on DIY, you are right about the repetition.  I liked it when the had New Yankee Workshop and David Marks on.  I also like Cool Tools because the host, Chris Grundy, cracks me up.  I also like to look at Amy Mathews but even she is wearing kind of thin.

Neill

 

[stidrvr]

I remember the first time I saw Tommy using Festool on This Old House. I think it was a Kapex. From them on it's always been Festool.

 

[Neill]

Hey Niell, thanks for the links and info. By the way, I think Amy Matthews had a really bad face lift recently. Is there such a thing as a good one?

Deke,

Probably not.  My personal opinion is that men and women ought to leave well enough alone.  The exception of course is if they have have had an accident or some illness that resulted in disfigurement.  On the other hand, who do they really do it for?  If it makes them feel good about themselves, then OK.

Not too far off topic, huh?

Neill

 

[Greg_R]

I've seen some of the DIY shows. I can't really stand watching them.

Renovation Realities is _hilarious_.  It's about home owners trying to do their own projects (typically with disastrous results).

 

[Les]

Anyone know why the New Yankee is showing reruns on PBS? Maybe it's just in my area. Maybe Norm is burnt out?

 

[Neill]

Anyone know why the New Yankee is showing reruns on PBS? Maybe it's just in my area. Maybe Norm is burnt out?

Les,

Here in Colorado, too.  The thing is, reruns of NYW are better than anything else on the tube.  Saw one last weekend from 1996 on making a Lazy Susan (Carousel) Table.  Some of the tools may be outdated but Norm's tips and plaid shirt never are.   

Neill

 

[ezdrive]

I enjoyed watching all of Norms shows, but he really needs to make some new ones.  Now let us talk about shop safety...Norm needs to get with the times.  His show is heavily supported by Porter Cable and others.  Why would they continue to sponsor reruns?  I think Delta would give him a new Table Saw just to show it off!  Now about Amy Matthews, I will only say good things about her...she deserves our respect.  As I watch her shows, she is very talented.  Not like to many women of "Home Time".  Don't get me wrong, they are actors and are trying to convince you that they are experienced.  The host of Home Time, I forget his name, but he huffs and puffs like is doing hard work.  Wait, I don't think I have seen him finish anything...and the projects...gimma a break...who can afford a $100,000 home entertainment system or a $20,000 home automation system.  If they could, they would not be watching Home Time to see how to install it!

Back to Amy Matthews, I have a list of famous and semi-famous people I would love to meet over a cup of coffee.  Amy is top on the list.  I would love to hear how she choose her career.  Amy, if you are reading this board, come to Solon, Ohio and I will buy you a cup of coffee!  If you want to make a show on finishing a basement, you can use my house.  I need to build some equity, I think you guys pay for all the materials, right?  Oh, and send that Yard Crasher guy, I need a landscaping makeover (but you need to use my plans).

 

[webfarmer]

I enjoy Ms. Mathew's shows as well - and still like to grab a cup of coffee and watch Norm build an amoire or two in 30 minutes  -- but my favorite show to watch I can't find anymore:  "Holmes on Homes" was a great show.  It had a talented contractor who followed around other contractors who botched jobs, or took people's money and ran.  "Just Do it right" was the motto, and I loved every episode... especially when he would fix a botched job so well that the customers burst into tears.  Hope the show is still on somewhere.