So nice to see again the workshop that inspired me to do woodworking as a hobby
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Rick Herrick
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Boy, this really brings back memories. Thanks for the link Chuck.
luvmytoolz
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Terrific stuff!
Muttley000
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The show definitely helped form me as a woodworker. The series started shortly before I got married and purchased my own house which quickly has a shop instead of a 2 car garage. Great to see it out there again!
Crazyraceguy
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He was very much an inspiration to me too, especially the bit about having multiple copies of certain tools, like routers, to avoid changing set-ups. I was aware, at the time, that this was done for (and at the expense of) the TV production. It has however translated into the way I work today, not for TV, but purely for the sake of speed. So, still commercial purposes.
Youtube has probably eclipsed the ability to ever do this again as a broadcast television show, but it really captivated a lot of people back then.
Youtube has probably eclipsed the ability to ever do this again as a broadcast television show, but it really captivated a lot of people back then.
Although not copying Norm's practice (which was done out of needs for him; mine wants), when I build things, especially smaller pieces, I tend to make more than just one unit. 2 step stools, 6 gift trays, 2 wine boxes, etc., for example. The first piece may be a test for machine set-ups or procedures if new techniques or skills are involved, but it usually ends up well as one of the finished pieces.
Norm used a lot of dadoes as well as biscuits. I wonder, if the Domino Joiner were available in his time, whether he would change how he tackled some of the tasks.
Oh btw, when I'm on the treadmill for exercise, my usual YouTube viewing is either Norm or songs from the 70s or 80s. The last NYW episode I watched is the roll-top (tambour) desk (pt. 2). Often, you may pick up a new point or refresh your memory of certain trick from re-watching a classic like the NYW.
Norm used a lot of dadoes as well as biscuits. I wonder, if the Domino Joiner were available in his time, whether he would change how he tackled some of the tasks.
Oh btw, when I'm on the treadmill for exercise, my usual YouTube viewing is either Norm or songs from the 70s or 80s. The last NYW episode I watched is the roll-top (tambour) desk (pt. 2). Often, you may pick up a new point or refresh your memory of certain trick from re-watching a classic like the NYW.
smorgasbord
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As active, if amateur, woodworker before Norm's show hit the airwaves, it was interesting to watch Norm learn during those first few seasons.
GoingMyWay
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Norm recently stopped by the New Yankee Workshop:
Crazyraceguy
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As I heard the story, he was a site-carpenter and someone from the show was impressed enough to have him join be on it. Pretty much the same with Tommy Silva. His company was a sub-contractor and only appeared occasionally in the beginning.
Crazyraceguy said:
Close. The New Yankee Workshop is in Russ Morash's back yard. Norm built the building that was supposed to be Morash's personal shop. Norm and Morash became friends as the construction progressed. Russ pitched the idea to Norm and then pitched it to WGBH.
By the way, if you're a Victory Garden fan, too. it's across the yard from the New Yankee Workshop.
Crazyraceguy
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jeffinsgf said:
Yeah, I kind of mixed stories. That was how Norm ended up on TOH, not the NYW
I always thought it was funny how Norm always referred to the tools as his? He would say "my" router or table saw, etc. knowing full-well that the shop was not his, it was Russ Morash's.
He kind of always gave the impression though, that he was just casually walking back there each day, like it was in his back yard. He made it seem effortless, like he would be doing that anyway and you just happened to catch him with a camera.
It was always neat to see the tool/equipment collection grow with the show. I suppose some were sponsored, but I would think that some where just part of the budget, needed to keep people watching.
Norm made everything look effortlessly(!)...partly because, with a few exceptions, he always built two of the same piece. I wonder where all the prototypes ended up.Crazyraceguy said:
Though not due to his influence, for the majority of my smaller projects such as trays, boxes, stools, etc., I always make multiples or at least two of each, because the machine set-up time is more or less the same.
