Disappointing review of British tradesmen from Norm Abram

[Graham Orm]

He spoke for 45 minutes at a Festool show. The full video is there to watch if you wish, but if you go to 31 mins 50 secs, he is asked about the 'This Old House' show they did in London. He was scathing to say the least about the guys he worked with. Not surprising from the way he describes their attitude. I get the impression they took the mick a bit, but it sounds like he was landed with a motley crew.
I find it personally disappointing because when he says ''they'' he is making a sweeping generalisation about all British tradesmen. Every country will have good and bad tradesmen. Maybe he should have blamed his researchers for not finding a professional outfit to work with rather than be so quick to get the knife in?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84vE-2mSqtc

 

[t8hants]

I would be surprised if it did. I would have thought the point of a Norm A show would be to promote Norm and the products depicted, not the wonders of a foriegn TV show. Added to that the American tendancy to promote themselves at the expence of all others, (we used to do it, but the loss of Empire has cut us down to size a bit) which is perfectly fine with me, because when all said and done its a TV show designed to promote tool sales. Who cares what the "septic tanks " think.

G

 

[dj.]

There are rough tradesmen in every country, having watched quite a few episodes of Holmes on homes it would appear there are plenty that side of the pond otherwise Mike wouldn't have been able to drag it out for so many episodes.


Regards.

dj.

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

The yanks have been re-writing history in their favour (especially via Hollywood) for a very long time....he's just in the queue of many others. One that always stood out in my mind was whatever that film was called that depicted the cracking of the German Enigma code from WWII. The yanks claimed they had cracked it in that movie!!! I bet the polish and Bletchley Park were "not amused" to say the least!

Oh and don't even get me started on "saving Private Ryan" and how the septics single handedly rescued France!!!

 

[Graham Orm]

Am I wrong in thinking a few Americans visit this forum?

 

[beech1948]

One is left to ask "What special relationship".

The US is simply a bully with a legal system run by bullies, with armed forces praised beyond their capability. Its time to say no to the US and their interference.

Al

 

[thick_mike]

 

[houtslager]

rotflma !

K

 

[RogerBoyle]

=D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D>
Still laughing 1/2 an hour later PMSL

 

[[email protected]]

Ha ha that just made my day

 

[Phil Pascoe]

One is left to ask "What special relationship".

The US is simply a bully with a legal system run by bullies, with armed forces praised beyond their capability. Its time to say no to the US and their interference.

Al

I'd sooner have U.S. interference than E.U. interference, personally.

 

[jimi43]

I'm not a great fan of Norm's shows...I don't see what's that special about his techniques and his old fashioned, US-centric projects but I think some of the comments in this thread are also generalisations of Americans as a individuals.

As one who worked for most of my life that side of the Pond...and someone who has many American friends...I count them as some of the very nicest people I have met, who almost to a man, think very highly of British craftsmen.

I have also met some Americans who are probably responsible for their dreadful reputation East of Boston!

No doubt Norm started out with a set of skills...a chisel and the odd Stanley No.4......but he developed rapidly into a promoter of expensive and unnecessary power tools....and the general purpose nail gun making copies of New England furniture which frankly leaves me cold. And to pay any attention to his comments and consider him a spokesman for American craftsmen in general, is a tad naive.

There are some fantastic, innovative, skilled and personable American craftsmen...and I don't count Norm amongst them....any more than I count an English gardner, a lady with big bra-less bazookas and a chippy with a Norm shirt and braces as typical examples of British craftspeople! :mrgreen:

Now...anyone know who Trayvon Martin is? :twisted:

Jimi

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

Actually I think Tommy is entirely typical of British builders (not crafts people) to be honest. And good job because though not going to join MENSA any time soon, he's a reasonable bloke that cares about the end result and works very hard to achieve it

 

[Jacob]

One is left to ask "What special relationship".

The US is simply a bully with a legal system run by bullies, with armed forces praised beyond their capability. Its time to say no to the US and their interference.

Al

I'd sooner have U.S. interference than E.U. interference, personally.

Tell that to the innocent people who are drone bombed on a regular basis. I'm sure they'd prefer the benign and civilising influence of the EU (what's wrong with straight cucumbers?). USA has become the world terrorist state in extremis.

PS and who is Norm? I've never knowingly seen his stuff. Am I missing anything?

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

Frankly...yes you are!

Norm, notwithstanding opinions in this thread, is generally regarded as being a bit of a wood workers hero. Despite his terrible National affliction of being "American" which he can probably be forgiven for, he had a show called the New Yankee Workshop which aired on the US channel PBS for some 20 years odd. In each half hour episode he makes a piece of furniture from scratch. Very occasionally, he'll make a shed or an outbuilding or a dovecote etc.

Again despite opinions to the contrary here....a balanced view would probably suggest he is a skilled and creative wood worker, with an obvious commercial carpentry background. He makes a huge variety of pieces and uses sophisticated joinery techniques. He also does indeed use a lot of power tools, including seriously nice ones like a wide belt sander. He finishes things by hand if he's in a cul-de-sac with the power tools like squaring the corners of a routed mortice.

People definitely learn a lot from his shows and his presentation style is modest and considered. He is in fact not at all a "typical American" if such a stereotype even exists (loud, brash, show-off).

If you were to poll 1000 people on this forum I pretty much guarantee 999 would love his shows. Despite taking the mickey every now and then...I'm definitely one of them

 

[Jacob]

Rightho I'll give him a go!

 

[cambournepete]

He's certainly inspired many people to get into woodworking - me included

 

[jimi43]

He's certainly inspired many people to get into woodworking - me included

He inspired me to watch NASCAR...it was on the other channel! :mrgreen:

Far less dangerous sport! :wink:

Jim

 

[Richard T]

(goes to get comfy chair and some beers to watch Jacob watching Norm)

 

[jimi43]

(goes to get comfy chair and some beers to watch Jacob watching Norm)

First straight bevel and he'll switch off mate! :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

And there are a LOT of straight bevels in a Norm and Steve show!

This thread has been sponsored by the ACME TOOL COMPANY...please remember to always follow shop safety when in our shops....and there is nothing more important than the correct use of a credit card.

Jim