Who is the Festool or Woodworking (Hero) person you would most like to meet?

[Stone Message]

Hi Everyone

I am trying to find out who you consider to be your Festool or woodworking hero - maybe you name one under each heading.

Who would you want to meet so much that you would buy a train or plane ticket just to meet him or her at a woodworking show or special event?

I spent 5 years working a long way from home and managed to survive by watching Norm Abram at the New Yankee Workshop. He has been such an inspiration to me that I have used the name 'New Brit Workshop' for my video work as a mark of respect and thanks. I recently took a look at the NYW web site and looked at all of the tool sponsors that have links listed and did not see Festool. So, although Norm is my woodworking hero he cannot be named as my Festool hero - but I would pay money to travel to meet him !

So, who is your Festool hero and who is your woodworking hero? Who would you give up a Saturday or weekend and pay some travel money just to meet?

BTW: Jobsworth is not allowed to say the lady that sells the extra long hot dogs at the D&M show !

Peter

 

[peter halle]

I don't have anyone who would fall into the hero category but would love to see Tom Silva just being Tom Silva.  I have spent money to see Steve Bace and Brian Sedgeley showing tips and tricks and would do it again.

Peter

 

[otis04]

My wife, she hasn't thrown me out of the house for my growing stack of sustainers!

 

[barnowl]

Peter, I met Norm Abram while he was still doing the NYW.

He is every bit the gentleman in person that you'd expect in seeing him on TV.

I've never met Tom Silva, but would like to.

Tom's use of Festool tools on This Old House has only been for the last 6 years or so.

 

[Stone Message]

Ah-ha, so Norm could be my woodwork and Festool hero !

Aside from him, I would really like to meet Paul Marcel and Rick Christopherson - before I bought any Festool kit I spent 2 months doing market research, joined the FOG and benefitted  from Paul's videos and Ricks fantastic supplemental manuals. I want to meet them to thank them for their help. I would also really like to meet all of the moderators here on the FOG and thank them for all of the hard work that they do on our behalf.

I would also like to meet the guy who designed the DF700 - a wonderful piece of engineering.

Peter

 

[Kev]

Ah-ha, so Norm could be my woodwork and Festool hero !

Aside from him, I would really like to meet Paul Marcel and Rick Christopherson - before I bought any Festool kit I spent 2 months doing market research, joined the FOG and benefitted  from Paul's videos and Ricks fantastic supplemental manuals. I want to meet them to thank them for their help. I would also really like to meet all of the moderators here on the FOG and thank them for all of the hard work that they do on our behalf.

I would also like to meet the guy who designed the DF700 - a wonderful piece of engineering.

Peter

Hero status is a big ask in my books ... I would tend to save that for someone that saves or changes lives. When it comes to "buy a beer" status though, everyone you've mentioned would qualify, including yourself.

Kev.

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Kev

Yes, I understand your point and agree but it is an easier term to use for the thread rather than "who would you like to have a chat with".

Don't let the semantics stop the flow though.

Peter

 

[ShawnRussell]

From a Festool perspective I would want to meet several of the product engineers who are also woodworkers. 

From a woodworking perspective I would like to meet John Economaki in his woodworking heyday. And a close second is David Marks.

 

[Paul G]

Too many people have contributed to my understanding of Festool to single anyone out, but for woodworking in general it would be my late Uncle Bjarne, a carpenter by trade who built many things with mostly just hand tools, boats, homes, his vacation cabin, furniture, etc. Unfortunately I only had the opportunity to meet him once and was too young at the time to appreciate his knowledge but thankfully saw some of what he did.

 

[Stone Message]

Too many people have contributed to my understanding of Festool to single anyone out, but for woodworking in general it would be my late Uncle Bjarne, a carpenter by trade who built many things with mostly just hand tools, boats, homes, his vacation cabin, furniture, etc. Unfortunately I only had the opportunity to meet him once and was too young at the time to appreciate his knowledge but thankfully saw some of what he did.

Uncle Bjarne will be smiling at you now Paul.

There have been so many great people who have trod these various paths before us and it is good that some are not forgotten.

Peter

 

[Paul G]

Thanks Peter. I often learn more trying to understand how on earth craftsmen of old did stuff without the benefit of the tools we have today. This has been a core principle for me in commercial printing and prepress where some folks did fantastic work absent todays digital tools or even predating graphics cameras. For example the story of the success of John James Audobon is sorely incomplete without including the nameless engravers who transformed his bird drawings into the prints we know today. Having seen with my own eyes his original drawings adjacent to the finished product it is clear there are many unsung heros in his success.

The same goes with the great old buildings going back into antiquity, folks doing stuff I wouldn't know where to begin using tools and techniques that today are either scoffed or marvelled at depending on the beholder. Nearby here is an old (by California standards) residence turned art museum, the Crocker, the times I go there I look at the craftsmanship of the old building as much as I look at what it's supposed to house. I realize there are far grander examples back east or especially in Europe and even Asia, but it's good to appreciate quality wherever it is manifest.

 

[hrrb]

...late Uncle Bjarne...

Bjarne...that name sounds scandinavian?

Back to the question. Hero, idols etc are very big words for me. But somehow I'd say that most of you guys who bother answering my questions and replying to my threads or maybe just inspire me by doing what you are doing are "my heroes of the moment".

I admire all kinds of craftmanship!
I admired my late dads weldings...so well done that grinding/polishing wasn't needed.
I admired my uncle who was taught as a brick layer but made beautyfull racing kayaks most of his working life. Now retired making beatyfull furnitures as a hobby.
I admire the beauty in american shaker furniture made by skilled carpenters using hand tools only.
I admire some of the late danish furniture designers who made danish design popular world wide.
I admire....every skilled person actually!

+1 on meeting and having a pint with Peter, Rick, Peter, Paul, Shane, Kev and all the rest of you guys...you're just too far away from little Denmark!  [big grin]

Kind regards
Henrik

 

[Paul G]

Yes Henrik, He was a Swede, you naturally caught that  [big grin]

 

[Vindingo]

I would have really enjoyed talking with Sam Maloof and George Nakashima about design.  Their stuff is so iconic to the point of cliche, but when done right it still looks great. 

I had the opportunity to listen to, and speak with David Moser at a Thos. Moser store in San Francisco. He had some interesting ideas about the industry and I admire what the company has done in the way of readily available hand made furniture. 

I use a bunch of my grandfather's old tools. I would have loved it if he was the one to teach me how to use them. 

 

[Sparktrician]

I would have considered myself fortunate to have met John Lucas.  And this evening I'll raise a glass to John for all his contributions to so many woodworkers of all levels. 

 

[CharlesWilson]

I would have considered myself fortunate to have met John Lucas.  And this evening I'll raise a glass to John for all his contributions to so many woodworkers of all levels. 

Having met John, the next on my list is Wharton Esherick (1887-1970). Of course, I didn't find out about him till only recently, so, I will just have to meet him through exploring his creations.

Charles

 

[sancho57]

There are so many woodworkers that I admire and all are fine craftsman.

Many are on this site.

Its difficult to choose.

They are so very talented which is why I dont post photos of my work.

 

[tbellemare]

I worked with a guy in Houston, S. B. Hancock. His work was pretty amazing.

He didn't use power tools.

His furniture was stunning.

He made violins. One of his violins was played by Andre Previn. I once asked him how he made violins. His response was, (essentially), get some wood and take away everything that doesn't look like a violin.

He also made jewelry.

Tom

 

[Stone Message]

A friend of mine was an apprentice antique (woodwork) restorer and has had his own woodworking business for years. He no longer advertises at all. All of his work comes through the A list community by word of mouth. His work goes all over the world, he uses amazing materials and finishes and his work is stunning. He is the guy I turn to when I need advice and he lets me have a few off cuts now and then.

But...I already know him and see him regularly and so he cannot be on my hero wish list.

Seeing what Jobsworth said earlier, I think that it would be super to meet up with fellow FOGgers - I really enjoyed meeting up with him and Green Fever last weekend; great guys - like all woodworkers around the world (and skill level does not come into it at all).

I would like to meet Bob Marino (because I know he looks after his customers) but I am lucky enough to know Warren Smith of Toolfest who is the UK equivalent of Bob and a great dealer with a true regard for customer service. He lent me the DF700 that I have used in all of my (DF700) videos - at no charge AND he paid for shipping.

Peter

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

+1 on meeting and having a pint with Peter, Rick, Peter, Paul, Shane, Kev and all the rest of you guys...you're just too far away from little Denmark!  [big grin]

Likewise, should I have ever the opportunity to visit Denmark, you're on.