dboetb

Would some one please buy up Taunton Press and get FWW back on track?

I've heard its very good

I like shellac also but it's difficult to find a can on the shelf that is not out date. Luckily I can still buy the solvent base finishes in my area and will use those until I no longer can find them.

Patrick

You have mistaken critical thinking with negativity. In business one learns not to take what is said at face value without some scrutiny. Wouldn't you agree? Or should we take these pro series blogs at face value and buy into the Custom Made marketing ploy without question?

My comments contain no malice nor derogatory remarks, they are intended to open up real dialog concerning the subjects addressed in these blogs but instead I am looked at as distracting and ignored.

Don't think that doesn't send up a few red flags?

One needs only read the comments on this blog to see that the majority are from Internet marketing entities that were mentioned in the original blog and only one, at this point, that is a professional woodworker that isn't a member of Custom Made.

If you would rather not address these issues then please say so, but please don't attempt making me out as the distract-or, that's not good salesmanship.

Don B

Steve,

I agree with you, but in their usual fashion FWW hasn't responded to any of these suggestions nor have they even cared to acknowledge that they are even reading them. Nor do I believe they have the means to even pursue the production of a creditable realty TV show. Internet video isn't going to make it needs to be a full fledge TV show production if it is going to do the job of educating the general public.

Don B.

Too much and it will make you look narcissistic, cheap or even desperate.

I believe the Boggs Collective would be the perfect setting for the show, think of the benefits it would have.

Don B.

Brian,

Thanks you for responding. When I first read Asa's blog it appeared to me that the collective was targeting woodworkers as its clients but now since you have broken it down for me I understand the concept a little better. Have you thought of franchising the collective in other parts of the country and is the collective set up as a not-for-profit or for-profit organization?

Don B.

I don't understand how this collective will help other woodworkers. Can you explain a little more in detail? Because on first read it seems that Brian Borg will be on the receiving side of this collective. Is he attempting to brand his designs? Plus nothing was said about generating sales during these economic times.

One can build a ship but if you don't have water it isn't much good.

Don B.

I would love to review this book.

According to an San Antonio based market research firm Pear Analytics ,Twitter is:

40% Pointless babble
38% Conversational
9% Pass along value
6% Self promotion
4% Spam
4% News
Why would we need to buy into the Custom Made product when we can use all the free services like Word-press, Face book, Twitter, and such to market our products. That is what this is all about isn't it?

How about adding ;

11.Getting a return on ones marketing investment.

How about a documentary, 'A day in the life of Thomas Moser cabinetmakers'? Something of substantial substance.

First it was American Chopper then Pawn Stars, American Pickers, next Billy the Exterminator, Junkers, and now the 'Woody's'.

First, find a dysfunctional family owned cabinet shop, shouldn't be too difficult, then let nature take it's course. Every once in a while throw some high quality stuff in front of the audience. Who knowns it may work, might even sell a few 'Woody's hats and sweatshirts maybe even a travel mug or two.

If this thing takes off I expect to see my name listed in the credits.


Don B.

Greater exposure is need to make the general public aware of what we do. A reality show about a custom furniture maker and his dysfunctional family/employees, something on the lines of the 'American Chopper' and 'Pawn Stars' series. Fine Woodworking and Custom Made could sponsor it.

Don B.

The answer is very simple “perceived value” which in turn is affected by how educated one is about the subject. The problem is in the education of the client. We are so programed by the big box marketing that the value of quality has been diminished in our thinking.

Don B.

The “.com” was referring to Custommade.com not Mr. Bois.

Don B.

Geide,

I was not surprised to read the response to my request to address the ethical side of the blog subject since I felt that the act of infringement was being condoned by the author.

I believe the act of copying another's furniture design for profit and the condoning of this act are both unethical.



Don B.

FWW editors,

The Pro Shop series would be more 'creditable' to me if FWW would call on professional furniture makers as blog authors other than a .com attempting to market their services.

Don B.

Your response has answered my questions.

Thank you
Don B.

Now, could you please address the ethical side?

Don B.

I agree Dan, a trade show is the wrong venue for custom furniture makers.

"THE RAIN-MAN COMETH"

That is the impression that I get reading your blogs.

Don B.

What’s next a metallic oxide ceramic nanoparticle blade with self sharpening attributes, incased in a all titanium body with an embedded Gold American Eagle?

Don

Pretty Good Woodworking…. A semi narcissistic woodworking magazine……
it might work.

>And I'll tell you about the other benefits of being published, such as building up your brand name for a future teaching career.<



Asa,

It has appeared to me that over the past few years many professional woodworkers have entered into the realm of teaching and opening their own schools, a sign of the future of the professional woodworker. Is this what’s driving the world of woodworking today?

Don

My first saw was a radial arm saw, true it wasn’t prefect. It used to scare the heck out of me when I ripped long pieces of wood, and then there was the climb cut effect when cross cutting, pulling the blade toward you, it some times stalled out on hardwoods. About 25 year after I bought the thing I got a recall notice from the manufacture, I contacted them and they sent me a box of equipment to upgrade and make it safer. After I installed the stuff I had to push the blade into the wood on cross cuts instead of pulling. Now that makes sense, but why did it take 25 years to come up with a fix? But on the other hand it reduced the size of board I could cross cut. Another feature I thought was cool is that one could convert the machine into an over arm router, the door panels on my first cabinet were shaped on that thing. Looking back it was the only saw I could afford at the time and Sears was the only place in town to buy one, so. Lets face it the radial arm saw had its place in woodworking history and at the time it had all the bells and whistles we thought we needed. So I don’t discount it but look back at the time as the beginning steps of my woodworking evolution. It may have not been the safest and the most accurate saw but I sure did build a lot of things with it. Am I a better woodworker because of it? Maybe, I sure did learn to keep my fingers out of the way of that monster.

Don

I believe that the Greene brothers would have incorporated them in the production of their furniture, as well as the Shakers. But then again woodworkers usually don’t purchase other woodworkers items so this question should be asked to the purchasers. It would be interesting to ask a client if it made a difference to them if such a device be used in their custom made product, if they know what it is they may ask for a cheaper price tag unless marketing such a device as an ‘advantage to’ or a’ value added service’ (I hate that term) to their end product. But I don’t know of anyone to ask such a question. As for as personal use, yes if I had the money and the room to set up a CNC and as long as I got to keep all my other tools.

An elderly gentleman once told me 'romance sells’, it doesn't matter what one used to build things it was how the client perceived its making that counted.

Don

Don

Asa,

The media has power over the effects of such things, but history always has the last word. As for my experiences when I would mention such names as Maloof and Krenov to non woodworkers the response would be “who?” and when I showed examples of their furniture I would get silence from most. But showing them pieces of furniture from the valued price Chinese stores would by their own admission define this as the style of the times.
I try not to define such things but hold personally to what has influenced my interests over the years. I admire both masters’ works and have built in their styles, I would enjoy knowing that in some future time they were chosen as the ones who styles has been defined for our times. But to try to define such things is like attempting to predict next year’s economy.


Don

These past few years have curved my ‘wants’ to ‘appreciation’ for what I have. But what I need isn’t on your lists and that is a bigger shop.

Don

These past few years have curved my ‘wants’ to ‘appreciation’ for what I have. But what I need isn’t on your lists and that is a bigger shop.

Don