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Abingdon, VA – Tree Cutting & Portable Sawmill

SURVEY: THE IDES OF NOVEMBER

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SURVEY: THE IDES OF NOVEMBER

#1

Ellis Walentine

SURVEY: THE IDES OF NOVEMBER

Ellis Walentine

>As you know, every two months we trot out a pithy question for your input. The results are pruned, tossed lightly and submitted to Woodworker West magazine, where they appear as our monthly "News & Views" column. (Click here to read some previous columns.)

This months survey topic was suggested by Barb Siddiqui, our resident editorial assistant and book reviewer. It has to do with the passing of the torch, as it were, of our collective woodworking knowledge and experience to a new generation.

Life today and into the future promises to be very different in many respects, and woodworking is bound to be different as well. This time around, I'd like to hear your thoughts on the place woodworking woodworking will occupy in the lives of our children's generation. What values, skills, sensibilities, etc. will be applicable in the near and mid-term future? As a bonus question, how do you think the activity itself will change to adapt to the new realities of the 21st Century?

Have fun with this one.

Regards,

Ellis Walentine, Host

Re: SURVEY: THE IDES OF NOVEMBER

#2

This is a tough one, Ellis

Bill Houghton, Winter a-cumin' in, Sebastopol, CA

>I've been thinking about it, but not sure exactly what to say yet (also pretty busy with stuff on my parents house).

As someone who's been around long enough to see how many predictions went awry, I'm reluctant to be too wild.

Bill, still waiting for the personal jet copters we were all supposed to have now

Re: SURVEY: THE IDES OF NOVEMBER

#3

more interest

bill tindall, E. TN

>People have a need to create something tangible. If the standard of living continues to increase then people will have more time to devote to hobbies and woodworking will be one of them. Classes and shops for rent will become more available to satisfy the growing interest. Tools will improve and get cheaper but lumber will become less available and more expensive. More foreign pests will invade North American forests and we will see some more tree species become esentially extinct, as is the case with elm and chestnut.

Re: SURVEY: THE IDES OF NOVEMBER

#4

Re: SURVEY: THE IDES OF NOVEMBER

Thomas Skaggs, Foothills of Mount Level

>One reason my customers buy my work is because it is real wood, custom designed and hand made. Customers who buy my work are not considering big box factory furniture as an alternative (usually). More and more furniture is being manufactured overseas...especially China. Those who buy handmade furniture know that and are willing to pay more for something of higher quality and uniqueness.

I have hopes that there will always be a niche for hand crafted furniture. Perhaps if factory furniture continues to job out to foreign countries and quality declines there might even be some strengthening in the market for hand crafted furniture.

Should my hopes be fulfilled then that would bode well for future woodworkers. The tools may evolve over time but the basics of wood craft should remain timeless and will serve them well.

Tom

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