Chris, Adam got cheated -Long

Cool

Jim in Burlington On

>I read Adam's article a few times thought it was interesting. There was a big article a few months back on sharpening handsaw's. I'm hoping Adam gets about 20 articles published and makes a book deal in the end. One of the topic's I'd like to see covered is using handplanes to make window's (just bought some planes for the job). Don Webber, John Wilson (like to see him make a workbench like his own that's in that Make a paddle pics) anything that Troy Sexton is building and yes I'd like to see another toolbox by Chris (read page 53 or 55 of the toolbox book). Good article by somebody would be period details to make your furniture rock. Sure there's more but it's been a long day playing golf.

A got a secret for you

Adam Cherubini

>Todd,

All of my articles were supposed to be three pages. A good writer could explain nuclear physics in three pages. So PW is generous to allow me 4 pages.

Here's another secret: In my experience with PW, there's no editting on content. They fix my grammar, layout the page, stuff like that. (So much for product placement, support for advertisers etc. It just doesn't happen in my experience)

Okay three secrets- That article isn't about saws or sawing. Saws were just the example I used to make my point. I thought the mysteries in these articles would be great. But I think they've been annoying. I'm not sure people are picking up on the real points of the articles, and they've been just a ton of work. Kudos to PW for publishing them at all.

Next year's articles will be much more pragmatic. No more hidden agendas or mysteries. I've got a saw sharpening article that I think you will like. Frankly, I think it will set a new standard on the subject.

I know our Mothers told us "If you don't have anything nice to say..." but in this case it really does help me to know which articles you liked, which you didn't and why. I write them for you guys specifically. So I appreciate your criticism. If you don't like them, what will the guys on the Power tools side think? How can we possibly convert those guys to our neander ways if I do a crappy job?

Adam

Re: A secret for you

Todd O. Cronkhite Maine Native in FL. Exile :~(

>but in this case it really does help me to know which articles you liked, which you didn't and why. I write them for you guys specifically. So I appreciate your criticism.

And that my friend is the ONLY reson I made that post. In no shape, form, or fashion was it meant to be slanderous or harsh. I'm happy that I was happy to communicate that fact to you, and that you are in no way hurt by it.

got to admit that the "mysteries" side of it did escape me. I never was very good at solving mysteries anyhow, and while reading your articles I wasn't looking for any clues to a mystery. Perhaps that is because I am familiar with Handsaws in the first place, which is the only reason I was able to see what I felt was the descrepienceies in the article. I don't think that a complete novice to the subject matter needs to be hampered a bit more by looking for clues, or trying to solve a mystery, as more than likely the subject matter is already a mystery to them. Yes, there is no question in my mind that you write these articles for us (The handtoolers), but I feel that you need to write them with the non-handtools in mind instead. You know, the folks that don't know a froe from an adze, and to them you'd need to speak in almost minute (my-nute) detail. What you may take for granted as common knowledge concerning a particular hand- tool a power-tooler might not even have a inkling about. Now, not to seem like I'm bashing powertoolers, I'll admit that I don't know everything there is to know about every handtool either, and can always find something learn about a finer detail of one.

One of my favorite phrases was one I heard by a detective in a movie I watched. when interviewing suspects/people he'd say "Speak to me like I'm 5 years old so I can understand this" I find that when I am explaining something that is new to my listener that this technique works very well.

Todd o.

Re: A got a secret for you

Joe Rogers, Northern Virginia

>For the readers that look at the world through a fogged up window...How about a paragraph at the end that explains the mystery solved.

BTW the attitude you have toward your writing is refreshing. Some woodworking authors take things personally.JR

Re: Chris, Adam got cheated -Long

Luke Herzberg

>I just recently subscribed to PW and have enjoyed Adam's articles very much. I suppose being on this board, reading Adam's posts and already realizing that he is nuts helps in the reading and understanding of where he is coming from. Just to get that many square inches of magazine page dedicated to hand tools is great in my opinion. (Got to admit, I usually don't even read articles on routahs, lathes, biscuit thingys, etc.)

So what I gather from the article on sawing, rather than, "Here are the 27 detailed steps to correct and proper sawing." is, "Pick up a saw ya big dummy, try it out, you'll like it!"

Thanks to the PW folks and Adam for making this stuff happen!

- Luke, hasn't turned on the table saw in a year...seriously!

December issue

Adam Cherubini

>The December issue will include a summary article in which all the mysteries will be revealed. I'm really hoping those of you who have read these articles will read that one and feel as though my column hasn't been a waste of your time. I'm also hoping you will then go back and reread the previous articles and get something new out of them.

Its my preference/intention that you read the 5 previous articles before you read the summary.

The topic is so academic (meaning bad academic=bad in my dictionary). Since I started with the mysteries, Chris knew the "real" subject of each article before it was written and published the series anyway (so its really his fault- a failure in judgement). I guess he thought it would placate all 5 PW readers who work exclusively with hand tools. Seriously- these PW guys seem to have this vision of not pushing their vision and providing a diverse group of subjects in each magazine. I think that's a lot harder than it seems. I mean..I like all kinds of furniture- William and Mary, Queen Anne AND Chippendale. I listen to both kinds of music, Country AND Western.

Adam

Re: Chris, Adam got cheated -Long

Patrick Gibbons, Houston, TX

>Adam, I like your articles just the way they are. Recently I had the opportunity to work with a more "typical" woodworker on building some storage cases. This guy had an amazing arsenal of power hand tools and all their appertinences. His skills were excellent, and to say the least, much better than mine. The few hand tools he had were not capable of doing the job for which they were intended. There was such a difference of mindset between us concerning woodworking. Perhaps I have not understood any of your mysteries at all Adam, but I have felt that your articles spoke to this difference of mindset in an elegant way. Those who are interested in your mysteries will read what you have to say. Those who could perhaps benefit from your thoughts but have no interest, won't read them anyway. That's the main reason they are mysteries after all.

Don Weber..

Dan Moening in Cooler, Breezy Sacramento

>Isn't that a fantastic photograph of him?

Soot covered, sweat droplets, hint of a wry smile?

Aye, there's a man you can share a pint with.

I've made the right decision in my recent subscription.

Dan.