chaim

Wow, this is a subject that crosses pates with me almost daily!
I also have tried the spend $4000 now instead of $500 five times or different variations of the same explanation. I have also explained that I’m not IKEA and I don’t compete with them.
I just love it when I meet with a perspective client and they pull out a catalog and ask “can you make XYZ, but it must fit in this space”
I usually write up a quote knowing that I won’t get the work, but hoping that eventually if they need something special they’ll remember me as being punctual and personable and call me.
I found the best avenue for business is through the contractors I have worked with. I retain their cards and when the situation is called for I return the favor by recommending them to potential clients.
As for explaining price to clients I was stumped by a customer whom asked me why he should pay me more for a piece of furniture when he can go buy one “off the shelf” and “ready made”.
I tried to explain that I can customize a design to fit his particular needs rather than trying to fit a store bought item into a space not suited for it.
He couldn’t even begin to understand why this means the item costs more! I didn’t bother myself further, but now that I think back to that incident (last year) and I feel this could have been good training for me. Perhaps it already was?
I.E. don’t waste your time on these people, they aren’t your clients.
Chaim

Wow you guys/gals sure are a rough crowd!
Boy, am I glad I’m not the one in the hot seat. You have to realize Tommy is a terrific artisan and the show is produced by people selling a product (producers).
Tommy isn’t a teacher (per say) and he isn’t a TV personality (yet) he’s a great wood worker who is stepping up to bat at the plate. He is a patriot and he’s filling a void in TV land just to entertain you.
You need two or three seasons to develop your TV presence and personality.
Only one show aired so far! You guys are so critical of it! If you think the show is too rushed ask for a forty five minute or an hour long show. Make it a partnership with Tommy, e-mail suggestions to him, write your providers to include the show in their lineup. Make a difference don’t just criticize.
I thought it was great!
Keep up the good work Tommy!!!
Chaim

In my opinion, if you design a bench exclusively for power tools you need:
1. Plenty of power and in different locations on the bench.
2. A way to hold down objects of differing size w/o interfering with milling operations.
3. A place to store the smaller and most used tools.
4. A replaceable top that’s tough enough to withstand power tool use.
5. out feed support and down draft capability for differing operations.
6. Should still have a vise of some sort to help in those impossible situations where nothing else will do.
You must bear in mind that a bench for power tool use will also be lower than a hand tool bench, because most power tools are more comfortable and safer to use at a lower height.
Chaim

I could realy use water stones and a honing guide, I could also use a dovetail jig I will stop here so as to leave room for others to post as well! LOL
Chaim

I could realy use water stones and a honing guide, I could also use a dovetail jig I will stop here so as to leave room for others to post as well! LOL
Chaim

I would love a track saw, I could also use a pair of li-ion drivers. Who wouldnt love that combo?
Chaim

Those are really beautiful. I was planning on building a Morris chair and ottoman for myself but have been too busy.
What an inspiration!
Thanks.
Chaim

Really nice project.
I also recently completed a hall table made from zebrawood and found that using hand or machine planes can be a big no no on this material.
Sanding is the order of the day. I bought two boards that measured 13' x 8 1/2" x 2" I resawed and thicknessed them and joined 7 or 8 boards to make up the top(my resaw capacity is only 6" so I had to rip the boards to around 4 1/2")
I still have one of the boards in the rough and its just waiting for the right project!
You have a good eye for proportions (I'm still working on mine!)
Thanks for sharing,
Chaim