Latest David Charlesworth DVD

[Karl]

Anyone seen it? Worth getting? I see from the CHT website that it is £30 - but for 3 hours of tuition this seems quite good value.

Cheers

Karl

 

[Wood Monkey]

I've not seen it, but having had the pleasure of attending one of David's courses I have no doubts that this DVD will be beautifully produced with exceptional attention to detail.

I did the tool tuning course and having read David's books cover to cover (which are also fantastic) there were things I didn't think I'd ever manage to replicate. But watching and listening to David as he demonstrated his techniques bought it to life and it just fell into place.

I'm sure it will be value for money.

 

[dunbarhamlin]

One of the most useful I've seen.
For me, would put it just behind his basic chisel prep vid in terms of VFM (and that because the former is absolutely core (or was for me))

 

[lurker]

:-k

Must persuade Racers to buy this.
Then I can borrow it off him \/

 

[Racers]

Hi, Lurker

My 50th this year it would make a nice pressy :wink:

Pete

 

[Derek Cohen (Perth Oz)]

Following the link I find that this is not a new DVD but a collection of his previous (old) DVDs.

I always learn something from David and for this reason have viewed all his DVDs - but many would find his style excruciatingly slow.
Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[dunbarhamlin]

Try here: http://www.davidcharlesworth.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=34

 

[frugal]

Following the link I find that this is not a new DVD but a collection of his previous (old) DVDs.

I always learn something from David and for this reason have viewed all his DVDs - but many would find his style excruciatingly slow.
Regards from Perth

Derek

My wife bought me the plane sharpening one for Christmas. At first I found his style and at first I had to resist shouting "get on with it" at the computer, but by the end I really got into the slow, methodical measured delivery. It seems to reflect the general attitude that David is trying to display, you do not need to rush at this, take it slow and carefully and you will get better results.

 

[woodbloke]

Following the link I find that this is not a new DVD but a collection of his previous (old) DVDs.

I always learn something from David and for this reason have viewed all his DVDs - but many would find his style excruciatingly slow.
Regards from Perth

Derek

Agree Derek, I needed somehting to keep me awake - Rob

 

[alan wood]

Interesting thread this.
I agree on the slow delivery. Having said that you will certainly end up with a very sharp blade.
Alan

 

[jdykes]

I was overjoyed when I happened upon this video while in Berea for the Hand Tools conference on this side of the Pond. Any opportunity I can find to watch Mr. Charlesworth, or glean gems from his writings, I'm very happy indeed... This 5th addition to his series was very welcome - and worth every penny paid. I only wish he kept up with his blog - or would write more books!

In this stumbling pupil's mind, David Charlesworth has a gift that cannot be understated. It was this man who opened up the world of handtools - and more, the art of working wood - to me. For that, I'm eternally in his debt.

Compare Charlesworth's videos to those of any other - Cosman, Klausz, Schwartz - and even the esteemed Kingshott. Charlesworth's pace is necessary - and welcome - to many. He explains every preparation, every position, every movement, every point to be wary of, and how to gauge success for each minor movement. To a talented and experienced eye and hand, such as Derek's, it is all likely second nature. But I pour over these videos drinking in each fine movement and expressed word... In fact, when learning to sharpen - I would pause and rewind as the pace was too fast while mimicking the actions at the sink!

For those who are unable to afford classes, but yearn to work wood - David Charlesworth's videos are most highly recommended. They are, simply, without equal...

... and envy those who live much closer to his shop than I! :wink:

Respectfully,
- jbd in Denver, CO

 

[Handworkfan]

Following the link I find that this is not a new DVD but a collection of his previous (old) DVDs.

Derek

Having looked at the CHT website, I'm puzzled by this statement - the description there includes a number of things that aren't on his other DVDs - finishing a frame and panel, bevel work, shoulder plane work - I've seen none of these covered in previous DVDs :?

 

[Handworkfan]

Following the link I find that this is not a new DVD but a collection of his previous (old) DVDs.

Derek

Having looked at the CHT website, I'm puzzled by this statement - the description there includes a number of things that aren't on his other DVDs - finishing a frame and panel, bevel work, shoulder plane work - I've seen none of these covered in previous DVDs :?

I've now purchased and viewed the DVD and can confirm that it's completely new (I've got all the previous ones and watched them repeatedly). I wish I'd bought it before recently making some cabinets with frame and panel doors recently because the final cleaning up on those is something I've always struggled with, and now I know why!
The explanation of the need to fine-tune even a LN shoulder plane, and the demonstration of how to do it, also shed light on a previous mystery.
If you do a lot of work with difficult grain, the coverage of bevel angles and scraper planes will be invaluable.
I trained as a joiner many years ago - sadly, before David started his business, and began identifying and solving so many of the problems that I now realise lay at the root of my dissatisfaction and led to my leaving the trade to find something I could do better. If I'd had this kind of tuition then, I might very well have made it as a cabinetmaker. Oh, well, a happy hand-working retirement may be some compensation.
This DVD is highly recommended =D>

 

[wizer]

Thanks for the review. I will put it on my list. No pennies at the moment. Oh and I think I fancy the Chris Pye DVD's first.

 

[Harlequin]

would be lovely if my local blockbuster carried these - anyone have volume 1 and 4 in addition to the latest one that they wanna get rid ?

 

[Derek Cohen (Perth Oz)]

I have since purchased David's new DVD as well (I have all of them). My apologies for the confusing comment I made at the start of this thread - it was the term "Collection" that caught my eye, and the Collection I was commenting about when I noted that the material did not look new.

It must be said that David's teaching style is clear and informative ... but pedantic, and there are times when I just want to yell at him (on screen) to get a move on. It pays to be patient. David is extremely thorough, and I learn something new every time (even on repeats).

I cannot imagine replicating David in my own workshop. I want to work faster. However I take away bits here-and-there and incorporate them into my technique, so I would conclude that the learning experience has been a valuable one.

If you remove the sharpening stuff (which felt like it goes on forever!), there is not a lot on offer here in terms of "Furniture Making Techniques" (edge jointing, finish planing an assembled frame and panel, bevels to finish edges, and using a shoulder plane). What is there is good but I was hoping for more.

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[bugbear]

It must be said that David's teaching style is clear and informative ... but pedantic, and there are times when I just want to yell at him (on screen) to get a move on. It pays to be patient. David is extremely thorough, and I learn something new every time (even on repeats).

I cannot imagine replicating David in my own workshop. I want to work faster.

Can someone who's been on a DC course comment on David's working speed, as opposed to his DVD-teaching-speed?

BugBear (who assumes they may be different )

 

[PaulO]

Can someone who's been on a DC course comment on David's working speed, as opposed to his DVD-teaching-speed?

Yes, I have been on two courses, and am going back for a third this summer.

The working pace is about the same as the DVDs. He covers every minute detail thoroughly. That is one of things I like about his teaching. If you want to knock out piece work 5 minute dovetails, look elsewhere. If you want to learn a method that is based on minutiae that works and gives good results, this might be for you.

The other thing I enjoy about the courses is that in the working time when David isn't teaching, he is happy to discuss any topic, and give guidance. Last time I was on a dovetailing course he gave me some very useful guidance on inlaying, and hand cut mortises amongst other things.

If I could spare three months away from home I'd be on one of his long courses.

 

[bugbear]

Can someone who's been on a DC course comment on David's working speed, as opposed to his DVD-teaching-speed?

Yes, I have been on two courses, and am going back for a third this summer.

The working pace is about the same as the DVDs. He covers every minute detail thoroughly.

I do apologise - I didn't ask a clear enough question.

What I was wondering about was how fast David goes when he's "doing woodwork" as opposed to teaching or demonstrating.

BugBear

 

[PaulO]

If the demonstration dovetail he cut (while we cut ours) is anything to go by, I would say he works at about the same speed as he does in the DVDs.