Norm versus others

[Jhalfa]

I spent a week at home last week doing stuff around the house and in my workshop (garage), and whilst having my bran flakes every day I watched a couple of episodes of NYW, some of This Old House, and other programmes during the day like Cutting Edge Woodworker and Restoration Man.

I learned a lost from all of these, but when looking at the way "Noim" works, it is just me or is the guy really ham fisted when it comes to doing anything with a hand tool? His use of chisels and hand saws made me cringe.

I was really impressed by the work of that guy in Cutting Edge Woodworker, and just wish I could design stuff like that. Also I was full of admiration for Alan Herd on the Restoration Man - not a power tool in sight.

Please don't think I don't like Norm and what he has done to inspire a lot of people (me included), but sometimes he does give the impression that you can't do woodwork without powertools.

What do you think?

Regards

Jonathan

 

[Philly]

To be fair to Norm, the program is about woodworking with power tools. As you reach the later series he does make an attempt to use more hand tools, but I think it's obvious where Norm feels comfortable :lol:
He does knock out some good stuff, and certainly has been an inspiration to millions, though!
Cheers
Philly

 

[j]

I thought I was the only one that watched Norm @ 6:30 every morning
Nice to be able to watch something interesting before a day in the office.

 

[Mcluma]

The only thing with norm in the morning is it clashes with the wifes ITV3 morning programm :evil: :evil:

 

[Colin C]

I have to agree with Philly on this one but please not start me on Alan Herd on the Restoration Man :-# [-( ( as a restorer of 22 years +)

I think he is a good joiner but he could not have done the things he does on his program at the places I have worked at [-X [-X , joiner yes but hell no is he a restorer :shock:

Sorry rant over

 

[Simoli]

I believe Norm is considered a master carpenter, which in itself is a field that relies heavy on powertools. A fine furniture maker would be more likely to use hand tools. I wouldn't consider Norm a fine furniture maker. Definitley not implying Norm doesn't make nice furniture, just that this is not his area of expertise.

The second thing to note is that the show is sponsored by Delta and PC, of which neither make hand tools. His boss sells powertools, he will use powertools.

I actually stopped watching the show regularly when he brought in the 36" wide belt sander. At that point I already new the basics (most of them). Watching a show on using industrial equipment did not interest me.

 

[filsgreen]

I actually stopped watching the show regularly when he brought in the 36" wide belt sander.

Hasn't everyone got one of these? :wink:

 

[Jhalfa]

Sorry to all for committing blasphemy against the check shirted one !! I love shaker stuff, really I do!

Sounds like we all like the guy from Cutting Edge Woodworker if the other string about TV Programmes is anything to go by, and you are right about Alan as he also appears with Tommy Walsh on his programme

 

[Mcluma]

I cannot recall having seen any of the episodes of the cutting edge woodworker

what time is he on H&L

are there any on YouTube i can watch

 

[Jhalfa]

Here is the web address:

http://www.realtimetv.co.uk/cuttingedge/index.shtml

Even has some downloadable plans etc.

Last week it was on at 9:30am on D H&L. I am sure there will be another repeat some time

 

[j]

I actually stopped watching the show regularly when he brought in the 36" wide belt sander.

I know what you mean, his industrial pocket hole machine just makes me laugh, although he does break out the kreg every now and then. Is it just me or does that pocket hole machine make the uggliest pockets ever!

I only get Discovery Realtime so Norm is the only one I get to see.

 

[Vormulac]

I love all the woodworking programmes, and as has been commented by several people, The Cutting Edge Woodworker was a superb programme. However, as there is a degree of flak heading in Norm's direction for using powertools or industrial tools think back to the 'zebra' table or whatever it was called epsiode of The Cutting Edge Woodworker. I don't have a plasma-cutter in my home workshop, do you? :roll:

V.

 

[RogerS]

Am I right in saying that Discovery RealTime is satellite/cable only? ie not the Discovery channel on Freeview?

 

[George_N]

Am I right in saying that Discovery RealTime is satellite/cable only? ie not the Discovery channel on Freeview?

Roger,
I think it is satellite/cable only. Definitely a different channel to Discovery channel available on Freeview. I think the Discovery Channel are available in all the minimum subscription packages, so not very expensive, but not free.

 

[Colin C]

What I would like to see more of is the use of hand tools on more work, with some use of machines that most of us use but I guess that would be to hard from what we get to the mo :shock: :evil:

There is ssooo much that can be shown but the powers that be seems to think we dont need to see it any more or dont give a monkeys, I think it is the second one :roll:

 

[Vormulac]

Why bother making a programme that requires skill and a love of the work itself when you can just bung on re-re-regurgitated episodes of fishing or interior decoration programmes (and they are decorators, not designers :evil: aaargh!).
The people in charge don't give a rat's *rse, they would only do so if they were remotely interested in their audience or the subject themselves, and sadly, neither seems to be the case.
We can talk in circles about petitions or making our voices heard, but there aren't enough of us to make a difference (unless Richard Branson is a chippie on the sly and decides to start a dedicated channel just for us).
I just hope that when these channel execs/programmers ever have need of a tradesman/chippie, said tradesman leaves an open packet of frozen prawns under a floorboard somewhere.

Rant over. Sorry, my back's killing me and the baby isn't letting me sleep, so I'm not in the best mood.

V.

 

[Paul Chapman]

Isn't the problem that fine woodworking is a minority interest and commercial TV is about viewing figures? The two don't go together. I reckon the best one can hope for is that Norm (who I've never seen) and others will generate an interest in woodworking and then people will move on, of their own accord, to better things :wink:

Paul

 

[Jhalfa]

Never seen "Noim"?

So you have never heard the following:

"Let's take a moment to talk about shop safety. Be sure to read, understand, and follow all the safety rules that come with your power tools. Knowing how to use your power tools safely will greatly reduce the risk of personal injury....and remember this: that there is no mor important safely rule that to wear these (points at very thick eyewear), safety glasses"

I assume that you don't make much shaker style furniture either copied from Old Handcock Village.

Just kidding :wink:

 

[Paul Kierstead]

Isn't the problem that fine woodworking is a minority interest and commercial TV is about viewing figures?

Well, to be fair Norm is on public television and isn't really commercial TV.

In the more recent episodes they seem to be more 'realistic' in terms of power tools (except that massive sander....); no more automated lathe copiers, etc. He also picks up some hand tools sometimes instead of elaborate jigs to do some small task. His designs have improved some as well as has the finishing. In earlier episodes his choice of finish (especially paint colors) could be downright horrifying and many of the designs seemed a little 'heavy', especially in light of the Shaker furniture they were inspired from. The show has gotten steadily better as time goes on.

 

[Losos]

Hi Paul - Yes, it does seem that the latter episodes are better 'tho I thought the 36" belt sander was definitely OTT

He's a bit heavy on the old air nailer, and jigs just seem to appear as if by majic but as others have said, he has been responsible for getting a lot of people interested in woodworking so that can't be bad.