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I noticed in Asa's video that he hesitated several times as he cut the shoulders, with the workpiece still trapped between the blade/riving knife. I got the impression that he was "just about to" slide the piece away from the fence, as if his muscle memory was programmed to the repeating "forward a bit, slide in, slide out" dance, and his reflexes were getting confused by the shoulder cut's different rhythm.

As a former scuba instructor, I am very aware of how one's perceptions narrow as one gets task loaded with unfamiliar activities - and the direct relationship between one's awareness of their surroundings and safety. In this case, the task of showing off a new technique for a video camera may well have been that little bit of distraction that caused Asa's hesitation; for a novice to this technique, the task loading of trying something new, with a foreign set of arm movements and reactions will almost certainly reduce their situational awareness in the same way.

I could see this leading directly to a kickback if the workpiece was pulled back halfway through the shoulder cut - and I can't think of any way to convey a warning about this subtle "accident waiting to happen when your attention wanders" in the space limited pages of a magazine article. When combined with the "don't use a miter gauge and a rip fence together" comments, this sounds more and more like a candidate for the circular file...

Good question. As I pondered it, I recalled some of the incredible work I've seen in the pages of FWW which would also beg the question: is intarsia and stringing with veneer woodworking? Lutherie? How about intricate hand carving or turning? What about those back page spreads a while back that featured a secretary with incredible inlay work and hidden compartments or the one with the miniature toolbox, complete with tools?

Is someone who steam bends a kayak a woodworker or a maritime craftsperson? Or, in this case, only a modelmaker?

How many of us would be comfortable giving ourselves only one such label? Are you a woodworker or a furniture builder or a cabinet maker or a wood turner or a toymaker or simply a sawdust producer? If you are like me, you wear several hats - and are always interested in trying on new ones :-)

As someone who subscribes to FWW, FHB and Model Railroader, I have some (modest...) experience with woodworking at different scales; the only real difference I see is the size of the tools one uses and the tolerances one must adhere to. The woodworking skills are exactly the same: Think first, then do, Measure twice, cut once, Do your best and take pride in what you do. My conclusion - yes it is woodworking - and quite a fine example of it to boot!