Ultimate Workshop Tour

I've debated starting a YouTube channel the last two years, but held off because of the expected negativity against someone who owns nice tools. I'm a very private person and do not want to be perceived as a show off under any circumstances. It's just not who I am. But I've also learned a ton from those who have stuck their necks out (thanks Steve) and feel a bit guilty for not giving back to the community as much as I could. Observing the public reaction to Martins shop has been a real eye opener, and Steve's comment on the shop tour has been equally enlightening.

I might still start a channel, but keep it solely project based, likely with little to no narration. Ishitani comes to mind as an inspiration. There are thousands of channels producing content with tools approachable to most hobbyists. The market is saturated and well served. High end shops showing techniques common to industry but less common to hobbyists might have value. One could still be educated, inspired, and/or entertained.
 
When I saw Richard's channel, I thought: this is a guy I would like to work with.  I have no experience with crown and wainscoting and the walls are not plumb-square.  I could do the work with or without most of my tools, but learning new skills takes a lot of time and trial and error, and an expert in this trade would do a better job than me in 1/10 the time.  My experience with contractors has been hit and some pretty expensive and disappointing misses. Getting to see his work was assurance that the work would be good. I figured I could be his helper and learn a lot, including spraying and how to clean the sprayer, and at the end of a couple of weeks, I would have a lot done on a project that is way way overdue for completion! 

Initially, Richard was not available, but then indicated that if I could wait until mid January, he thought he could make that work.  He said that to be in California for 2 weeks, I would pay his normal rate, and also the cost of plane tickets for him, his wife, and 4 children because he did not want to be away from his family.  He works with a guy named John and said John was all in if I paid for his ticket and his wife's.  I agreed.  I offered to have him stay with me (or cover costs).  Fair that it not be a loss for him due to expenses and I approached him not the other way around.  Yes, expensive for me, but tickets are not that costly (as low as $143), and I considered it both a chance to get a major lingering project done well, and that the extra cost would be tuition for the education I would receive.  I planned rare time off work to be around.  I did not agree because I am "so rich" those extra costs would be no big deal.  I agreed because of the above reasons.

He wanted to come visit first to help plan the project, his idea, and so I paid for his ticket.  When he was over as my guest, he asked me to demonstrate things in my shop for his viewers.  Not my idea, but I figured I picked a guy who does educational videos, and so I did not want to say no.  I figured it was part of the price of having him come do the work with me.

Today, he emailed me and said he will not be coming and he was not as ready to come be away from home as he thought!  I had him over and allowed the video based on the belief that he would be helping me.  I politely asked him to take down the video unless he changes his mind about doing the work, and hope he will comply.  Very disappointed.
 
That's a shame. I think he is passing up a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn and teach at the same time. If I had his skill set, I would be clamoring to be his replacement.
 
Its sometimes a difficult decision to leave your homebase of operation. Steady work, known suppliers and connections help things move smoothly. 2 weeks of proposed work can often turn into many more quite easily. Always remember too, happy wife happy life.
 
Well... happy wife is what he said was a motivator as she wanted to spend some time visiting California.  As for 2 weeks turning into more, not a risk.  I was not asking him to complete a particular job.  It was for him go do as much in the 2 weeks as worked out where he would be paid for his time.

Steve, many thanks for your video on the Fritz Franz jig!  I benefitted from that!
 
Although I am on-off when it comes to going to forums, I have been getting messages with questions.  I will be checking often over the next week, and if you message me with a question about my shop, I will be happy to reply.  If you are a really good trim guy, maybe I have a job for you!

I was very fortunate to be given great advice over the years by a wonderful group a the Felder FOG, and I am always happy to return the favor here.  Happy even more so to do it on the Felder FOG but those guys are so knowledgeable, I rarely have the opportunity to teach them something.  It happens, but not often.
 
martin felder said:
Although I am on-off when it comes to going to forums, I have been getting messages with questions.  I will be checking often over the next week, and if you message me with a question about my shop, I will be happy to reply.  If you are a really good trim guy, maybe I have a job for you!

I was very fortunate to be given great advice over the years by a wonderful group a the Felder FOG, and I am always happy to return the favor here.  Happy even more so to do it on the Felder FOG but those guys are so knowledgeable, I rarely have the opportunity to teach them something.  It happens, but not often.
Click to expand...

Marty,  I'd be honored to come install your trim!  I've only done crown a few times but I'm really getting the hang of it.  Though not airtight, I think you'll agree my outside miters are pretty close to sublime.  Never had 1 lesson.

49250697926_205250c9fc_c.jpg

 
Jim,

It wasn't bad at all...except that you just forgot to put a custom cap that was supposed to be there! [big grin] [big grin] [big grin]
 

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Jim Kirkpatrick said:
Marty,  I'd be honored to come install your trim!  I've only done crown a few times but I'm really getting the hang of it.  Though not airtight, I think you'll agree my outside miters are pretty close to sublime.  Never had 1 lesson.
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Wow Jim...you've taken sublime to another level.  [tongue]

Just curious, what's the largest part of your budget, the trim or the caulk?
 
[member=71926]martin felder[/member] - I'm curious, how do you like the combo jointer/planer unit? I've been eyeing the 16" Hammer version (which as I understand it is the less-rugged hobbyist version of the Felder machines, but has a lot of similarities) to replace my standalone machines, but haven't pulled the trigger yet. Any regrets about going with one machine instead of two, or would you go this way again in the future?
 
Jim Kirkpatrick said:
martin felder said:
Although I am on-off when it comes to going to forums, I have been getting messages with questions.  I will be checking often over the next week, and if you message me with a question about my shop, I will be happy to reply.  If you are a really good trim guy, maybe I have a job for you!

I was very fortunate to be given great advice over the years by a wonderful group a the Felder FOG, and I am always happy to return the favor here.  Happy even more so to do it on the Felder FOG but those guys are so knowledgeable, I rarely have the opportunity to teach them something.  It happens, but not often.
Click to expand...

Marty,  I'd be honored to come install your trim!  I've only done crown a few times but I'm really getting the hang of it.  Though not airtight, I think you'll agree my outside miters are pretty close to sublime.  Never had 1 lesson.

49250697926_205250c9fc_c.jpg
Click to expand...

Is that a Lagavulin miter?
 
Kevin C. said:
That whole shop is beautiful, but that vertical panel clamping rack! That is darn cool.
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I agree with you. Almost every section of Martin shop is amazing. I got trapped by the dovetail jig because that's the only thing that would fit in my shop  [tongue]

Did I said that dovetail jig is beautiful yet?
 
Steve Rowe said:
A Youtube friend suggested this thread since my channel is Extreme Woodworker and I seldom participate in forums.  Congratulations to Martin for such a fine shop.  Up until this video, I did not know Martin machinery even made a combo jointer/planer.

To correct some earlier statements about me, I have spent the last 40+ years as a licensed professional engineer in the nuclear power generation industry and former US Navy submarine officer.  Other than work on a framing crew in my younger years, I have never made a living doing woodworking.  I am not 'trying to make it as a Youtuber' and have not created any new content for almost 2 years.  Work schedule combined with a lot of vitriol directed at me personally in my channels comment sections were major factors in my decision to suspend production.  I may resume now that the work schedule is no longer an issue but still need to ponder this. 

On the subject of shop tours, I did a shop tour because it was requested by so many viewers.  It is a difficult decision to invite the entire world into your shop since a number of viewers will look at it as 'showing off' regardless of reality.  I recall a tour done by Popular Woodworking a number of years ago about a Martin and Kundig filled shop near St. Louis as I recall.  I think his name was Kent and I remember seeing the s***storm of negative comments before it was finally turned off.  Nobody deserves that type of treatment.  I should have known better and making a shop tour video is a mistake I will never repeat.  Honestly, if you have a shop with higher end equipment and tools, you are better off keeping it to yourself regardless of the fact that the majority of viewers will likely enjoy it.  It is a simple thing to encourage one to ignore the haters but be silent in the comment section.  Kudos to those who are willing to endure.  It is simply not worth it to me.  Perhaps my expectation that woodworkers who share a common passion and interest would actually be civil and not act like a bunch of name calling politicians is unreasonable in this day and age.  Only time will tell.
Click to expand...

Sincere thanks for doing your videos Steve! My first taste of the sliding table saw was from watching Tim Wilmots videos on Youtube (so efficient! love those vids). Subsequent sliding table searches bring up very few options to learn more from, until I found yours. Extremely helpful and very inspirational/aspirational. Oh, and I LOVE shop tours, sorry to not be able to see yours - feel free to send a link to this fan ;o) ha ha.
 
I just came across this thread... looking for an update on Steve Rowe's posts.

First, I'm saddened that Steve, and others, have restricted their content due to negative comments about their motives in posting shop tours. Personally, I owe a debt to individuals like Steve who put themselves in harms way on YouTube. I've watched all of Steve's postings, and those of many, many others, who own higher-end equipment - though perhaps for different reasons than most: I'm interested in safer techniques, higher precision, larger capacities, and engineered-for-life attributes that are at the heart of tools. Steve's postings, and others, gave me the confidence to invest in these tools (it's difficult to get past the marketing hype that scams through most things these days).

In my 400 sq' shop, I've neatly fit a 9' Felder slider and a AD951 (20") Felder jointer/planer - though the quarters are tight, the financial and shop-real estate investment has been excellent. One interesting point, that goes to the heart of this thread, is that no one outside of my close-knit neighborhood knows of my shop... and my neighbors don't care (no one 'ooohs & aaaahs' at the equipment, when they ask me to build something for them). I gladly charge extraordinary prices to 3rd-parties; while at the same time charge family & friends out-of-pocket costs, only. for the same piece. I'm not in this for the money; nor for the bragging rights of having the most expensive shop in the neighborhood.

The simple fact is I'll invest in quality things... whose quality serves a purpose. The Felder (& Festool) equipment I own has allowed my woodworking to be limited by my ability and creativity, rather than my equipment's ability to achieve the desired end.

Lastly, and this is a point to all of those maligned by others, criticism received must be tempered against the motives and perspectives of the giver - someone who has never worked with a Slider or Domino can not grasp the step-change capabilities they provide - so how can their commentary be worthwhile.

Steve - if you are ready this - Thank You.
Mike Dorsam
 
 
The catalyst for the comments is the use of best, ultimate, superior, extreme etc. When used in a post, because of the current state of internet garbage, no one knows their true motives and they will always be suspect. You honestly have to look at what the people/person making any You Tube content are looking for. If its truly worthwhile and done properly the person posting and the material presented will endure. The truly negative comments will be laughed at and taken in stride.
 
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