A couple different thoughts crossed my mind this week regarding my entry into the woodworking public domain and my right or even audacity to publish videos without any formal carpentry training, certification or professional experience. I mean, there’s plenty of professional woodworking channels on YouTube, hard core carpentry skills for your enjoyment and wide angle shots of ridiculously wicked wood shops that simply make me jealous. The motives behind this week’s blog might be a little personal too, still stinging a little by a couple troll comments I got a few months ago regarding what was alleged to be “unprofessional techniques” used on a previous project. But having said that, here are the two thoughts that pinged my skull this week.

Part One: The Ear Worm

“Sign, sign, everywhere a sign”. So as you’ve already surmised from my videos or my references in previous blogs, I’m a bit older than most folks who might be reading this; recently retired but somehow still acting and thinking like I’m in my 30’s. The body on the other hand is a different story! I mention the age thing because it ties back to the opening line of this paragraph which is a lyric from an early 70’s song by the Five Man Electrical Band. The particular line that turned into an ear worm was “So I stood on the fence and yelled at the house, hey what gives you the right?”

Not that I’m trying to align myself with the old guy who had a sign on his fence, but the sentiment pushed me to rethink why I’m doing these videos and publishing a website and sharing ideas about projects. What does give me the right?

I guess I could always fall back on the First Amendment, guaranteeing me the right to free speech and freedom of expression. That is, provided my speech and expression don’t cause anyone else physical harm. Well written, Mr. James Madison. Put that guy on the top 10 list of people I’d like to have a beer with along with that party animal, Ben Franklin, although I’m pretty sure they’re both crusty by now. I’ll have to keep them on a posthumous list.

Looking at some of the shock junk being published on TikTok and Youtube these days makes me wonder about the right to publish. But if you can find a profitable business model posting that junk, appealing to the masses regardless of the value of the substance, “good on ya”. ( A small shout out to friends down under)

I also think there’s nothing wrong with sharing your passion about a hobby when you take the time to present content that might be helpful or instructive to the audience. And that leads me to the second thought this week.

Part Two: Do Something Unique

At the time I started to publish videos in 2018, I found that there was somewhat of a void in the woodworking genre showing projects that could be accomplished by entry level or average woodworkers. I figured there were other people like me out there who might have a need for a basic homeowner improvement idea, or want a homeowner’s perspective about tools like a chainsaw purchase. I don’t mean presenting myself as an experienced lumberjack telling you about the biggest, baddest commercial chainsaw available. I’m talking about me, an average homeowner, doing my own research about available tools and then showing the performance of what I buy. And when I buy a tool, I’m making my own selection and buying it with my own cash. I will not take on a sponsor just to help sell their product.

I also think I have something unique to share in terms of woodworking “analysis and design”. Those two words are really at the core of my entire professional career. Analysis, design, problem solving and a never-say-die attitude are what led to a long career delivering complex solutions to Fortune 500 companies in 37 states inside, and 6 countries outside the U.S.

I’ve talked before about my start in woodworking and the pure fascination I had with the beauty and value of wood going back to when I was a six year old. As soon as I was old enough to swing a hammer and dad allowed me to use a power tool, I was analyzing a need and building a solution, but with wood. I’ve been designing and building furniture for more than 20 years now.

My furniture designs are my own and I’m proud of that. I might have seen a picture representation of something I like but the actual style selection, design and joinery are customized for a unique solution. I love designing and building a furniture solution to help solve a need, even if it’s a simple Walnut slab coffee table for my daughter’s housewarming.

Art projects are harder, and I like that too. I need those analysis and design skills when working on a motorized kinetic art piece that has never been seen or constructed. I’m left to figure it all out on my own, try and fail, and try again until the design starts to work. In the end the finished art piece or sculpture is unique and the satisfaction gained from completing that solution is awesome. These are the things I like to share on YouTube.

Many of our projects are not really that complex, but they are unique. I like being able to offer a furniture design on video and encourage another homeowner to give the project a try. I do get great feedback from people who have successfully completed a project after watching a video and that is awesome too. That is why Matt and I continue doing this stuff. We love it because it’s our hobby. We love it because we’ve gotten good at it. We love it because our projects often help people build their own solutions and gain that sense of accomplishment.

As I write this I’m looking to the left side of my desk where two sheets of graph paper sit calmly, waiting for me to pick up a drafting pencil and finish the initial design of my next kinetic sculpture. This one won’t be something easy to replicate by the entry level woodworker but the effect I think, is going to be captivating. I’m starting to run out of room in our house for art projects like this, but thankfully there is one spot available for this monster. I think producing the build video could lead to an hour long episode but I think it will be best to keep it short, hide some of the tricks I intend to use and leave most of the video time to just watch this thing run… Can’t wait!

So yes. This will be unique. I will have a story to tell and since I won’t be using nudity (thank God) or profanity, or video glorifying the use of alcohol, tobacco or drugs… YouTube allows me the right to publish!