What is the difference between ...

Re: What is the difference between ...

Todd O. Cronkhite Native of Maine

>Joern,

They are all one in the same, however the different terms my be used in different parts of the world. "Woodworker" is used quite commanly in the U.S. and perhaps Canada, and I think "Woodcrafter" and "Woodsmith" are pretty much U.K. terms, but I'm sure someone like Kevin F., Angus, or perhaps Derek if he's settled down enough by now will either confirm or deny that for sure.

I can't rightly say that there is any specific term used for "hand toolers" other than perhaps Neanderthal or maybe Galoot.

Todd O.

By the way, I was just getting ready to make a new post titled, "What's the difference between" but you beat me to it. I can't believe the timing of your post. now I need to think up a new title for my post. Dang you Joern! ;~) T.O.

Re: What is the difference between ...

Roy from Cincy

>I've had the opportunity to read an article about this recently. Let's see how well I can dredge this out of my brain. I'll bet there's plenty of people who will disagree with my interpretation, but here goes anyway.

Woodworker-a somewhat generic term implying finer work than carpentry, usually implies making furniture-like objects - probably the closest modern equivalent to the old term joiner. Usually implies using planes and saws and chisels and maybe even tools powered by 'lectrickery.

Carpenter -- nowadays, generally associated with building houses.

Woodcrafter-a person that makes decorative objects from wood, stuff that you might see at a craft show.

Woodsmith-Don't regularly hear this one. Usually a smith is associated with metal working, like goldsmith or tinsmith. Smith is supposedly derived from an old English root that gives us "smite", meaning to strike with a hammer. Maybe a woodsmith would be someone that works with chisels a lot.

Woodwright -- Roy Underhill. Wright comes from wroght as in wroght iron. Wroght generally means worked. A woodwright is a woodworker.

There are a host of specialized wood oriented trade names from times when lots of people made their living working with wood.

Sawyer -- works in a saw mill sawing logs into boards

Bodger -- Associated with chair making, especially using a lathe to turn chair spindles

Joiner -- furniture maker, more or less. Similar to Cabinetmaker. Nowadays, cabinetmaker is associated with making and installing built-in kitchen cabinets.

Cooper -- makes barrels

Wheelwright -- makes wagon wheels

Luthier -- makes musical (stringed) instruments. Comes from the word lute.

And I'm sure the list goes on and on. What other career names for wood workers are there?

I heard that, Todd...

Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)

>... However I don't think that I have much to add. I think that one might use the terms interchangeably. "Woodworker" seems to be a dominant term around these parts. I can't say that I have heard anyone use "woodcrafter", while anyone using the term "woodsmith" to describe themselves would probably be jeered and referred to as a "wanker". Aussies are a bit leery of the pretentious, preferring to understate most accomplishments.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Cabinet Maker

Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA

>

Re: What is the difference between ...

John, NY

>Interesting... a Bodger in English English [at least where I came from] is a mildly derogatory term. I suspect, but don't know for sure, that it gets confused with Botcher... A botched job being one which gets a little messed up.

How about you Conger?

Todd O. Cronkhite Native of Maine

>What term do you use over in your section of the world? Woodworker, Woodcrafter, or Woodsmith?

And just where in the bloody blue blazes has that Redcoat laddie Justin Ball gotten off to again? Haven't seen him running about the Island for a long time now. Don't suppose he's had a major spat with that school superintendent and has to stand in the corner for 10 years do you?

Yoooooooooooou Whoooooooooo Justin, come out, come out where ever you are.

Todd O.

Re: I heard that, Todd...

Angus Barclay, in New Zealand

>"Woodworker" is the common term here in New Zealand, although people have called me lots of other things too (grin).

New Zealanders would sneer at the terms "woodcrafter" and "woodsmith" in much the same was as Derek's countrymen, although possibly not by using terms such as Derek quoted (because that is a VERY rude word here).

regards

Angus Barclay

Angus ...

Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)

>.. my apologies if I offended you. Really not intended ... perhaps there is a slightly different connatation in our respectives countries?

Who was it that said that we were separated by a common language?

Regards from Perth

Derek

Re: Angus ...

Angus Barclay, in New Zealand

>No offense taken Derek. It isn't uncommon for me to be called worse names than that, and I always figure that with a hide as thick as mine, most insults slide right off without causing any damage. Shame I can't say the same about the still rotating saw blade I pushed my thumb into a few days ago!

cheers

Angus Barclay

Re: What is the difference between ...

Cameron

>Traditionally a bodger "roughed out" the spindles for chairs. They usually did this from a makeshift camp set up in a beech forest. After the spindles were rough-turned they were then stacked in piles and left to dry. Then they were taken to the factories in the various cities to be "finish turned" for the chairs.

So bodger/bodgy work just means rough work.

Re: What is the difference between ...

Cameron

>By the way you can add:

Wainwright - A wagonmaker

Shipwright - A ship builder

Pod Shaver - A cricket bat maker

Bowyer - A bow maker (as in "bows & arrows")

Just to name a few more.

And Wilbur Wright made airplanes!

Alan Hamilton

>

Gee Angus......

Todd O. Cronkhite Native of Maine

>Hope you didn't do too much damage to your thumb.

Hate to say it, but sounds like to me that yuo neeed to write up a Safety Report on this incident. Perhaps it will help somebody else avoid the same mistake.

Todd O.

Ouch!

Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)

>What was your first utterence immediately after this occurred? :)

I hope the injury was not serious.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Re: Angus ...

Bill Houghton, Sebastopol, CA

>Churchill, and he said it about America and Britain, but I guess it probably applies to any two countries speaking some variation of English (probably true of other languages too).

We just got back from a week in Hawai'i, which was plain littered with Kiwis - first time I'd heard the New Zealander accent in full strength. I particularly like "yaess," something they seemed to say a lot.

"Woodsmith" sounds like someone who cuts down trees for a living to me.

Re: Angus ...

Alan Hamilton

>Bill,

Actually, it was George Bernard Shaw. Though in fairness, his quips are on a par with Churchill's.

Alan

Re: How about you Conger?

CONGER - The Irish diaspora in Munich

>T.O...... woodworker... thats the man!

Relying on the internet

Bill Houghton, Sebastopol, CA

>Interesting, Alan - when I did an internet search, the first several references all turned up Churchill. This must be why librarians get a little twitchy when someone talks about doing "internet research."

Re: Ouch!

Angus Barclay, in New Zealand

>My first utterance after that little mis-hap is not repeatable here, not repeatable in front of women or children, and probably wouldn't be well regarded by any other living soul either.

My thumbnail doesn't need trimming for a while now, but I was fortunate to get away with zero blood loss and only minor pain.

I paid a very small price indeed to reinforce the lesson about NOT clearing away small off-cuts while the blade is still moving.

regards

Angus Barclay

(thankful owner of 8 complete fingers and 2 intact thumbs)