Your commentary really resonates with me as I think it will with so many others. I’ve been woodworking for over 45 years now and, for the vast majority, it was a hobby which gave me a complete break from my paying job - which, as MD of a large business was very stressful. However, almost constantly, I had to tell myself 2 things. Firstly that it was a hobby and a hobby should be absorbing, challenging but , above all else, a pleasure. Many times, it got to be a chore. I felt that I had to go into the workshop even though, mentally, I wasn’t right. Second thing is above all else and that, for me, was patience. I wasn’t doing this at the time for money and so should have exerted patience in every aspect. But, I’m not naturally a patient man and lack of patience in woodworking is a killer; for me anyway. When, for a short period of time I did expand the woodworking into a small business, I lost all pleasure. It was only ever a sideline but it felt no different from my main employment. I really hope you have found the right solution for you personally. A good job that pays the bills and then a great hobby to make you smile. I think the tipping point is when you want to expand the YT side to the extent that it interferes with the employment. But, I would guess most YT creators have also gone through that transition and I’m sure there are good lessons to be learnt. I’m not a great lover of dovetails in any case. I think that they are aesthetically too fussy for most contemporary pieces and, fundamentally not needed for strength if you construct properly. However, machine made dovetails are, for me, just dreadful. The worst of every world. I bought the Leigh Super jig and have never used it in anger. I just don’t like the end results. I would suggest that the finest pieces of cabinetry really don’t expose end grain - at least to any great extent if at all. I think of really good pieces from the UK Arts and Crafts movements made by people like Morris or Russell and end grain is only shown when it adds to the aesthetic as in exposed tenons in a Morris chair. A change of colour or texture that you get in end grain can be positive if it’s a design choice. I genuinely wish you every success in your new outlook. It’s obviously the right one for you and I’m sure that will be reflected in the pleasure you get
Personal fulfillment is what drives us forward... if one day we are going to regret it, then let it be for having done it, never the other way around... whoever appreciates your wood work will always be here
There are a few problems I run into if I try to condense these too much, first is that I lose too much footage, it hurts having to cut out parts of the project to make the videos a certain length. Then the length also affects it because from my analytics, very few people will click into a video longer than 20 minutes. I know it can be annoying waiting for these shorter parts to come out but from what I've seen, I think it's the best approach.
Liked the commentary on this video because it’s so true. I’ve built so many things and look back and can’t remember how I even built it. 😂 maybe I’m just getting old. What kind of glue were u using for this?
There's so many of my older projects where I'll have to go back and watch my video just to remember how I did something! I used Old Brown hide glue and Titebond's hide glue, minor differences between them but basically I'm just a fan of hide glue.
Your commentary really resonates with me as I think it will with so many others. I’ve been woodworking for over 45 years now and, for the vast majority, it was a hobby which gave me a complete break from my paying job - which, as MD of a large business was very stressful. However, almost constantly, I had to tell myself 2 things.
Firstly that it was a hobby and a hobby should be absorbing, challenging but , above all else, a pleasure. Many times, it got to be a chore. I felt that I had to go into the workshop even though, mentally, I wasn’t right.
Second thing is above all else and that, for me, was patience. I wasn’t doing this at the time for money and so should have exerted patience in every aspect. But, I’m not naturally a patient man and lack of patience in woodworking is a killer; for me anyway.
When, for a short period of time I did expand the woodworking into a small business, I lost all pleasure. It was only ever a sideline but it felt no different from my main employment.
I really hope you have found the right solution for you personally. A good job that pays the bills and then a great hobby to make you smile. I think the tipping point is when you want to expand the YT side to the extent that it interferes with the employment. But, I would guess most YT creators have also gone through that transition and I’m sure there are good lessons to be learnt.
I’m not a great lover of dovetails in any case. I think that they are aesthetically too fussy for most contemporary pieces and, fundamentally not needed for strength if you construct properly. However, machine made dovetails are, for me, just dreadful. The worst of every world. I bought the Leigh Super jig and have never used it in anger. I just don’t like the end results. I would suggest that the finest pieces of cabinetry really don’t expose end grain - at least to any great extent if at all. I think of really good pieces from the UK Arts and Crafts movements made by people like Morris or Russell and end grain is only shown when it adds to the aesthetic as in exposed tenons in a Morris chair. A change of colour or texture that you get in end grain can be positive if it’s a design choice.
I genuinely wish you every success in your new outlook. It’s obviously the right one for you and I’m sure that will be reflected in the pleasure you get
I like the idea of tree to table wood work
Good to see you back Morgan, looking forward to seeing the finished cabinet
Thank you!
thank you Morgan . good to see you again
Glad to be back!
Your videos inspire me to want to start woodworking. You make beautiful pieces.
It's really great to hear that, woodworking is a very satisfying craft!
Personal fulfillment is what drives us forward... if one day we are going to regret it, then let it be for having done it, never the other way around... whoever appreciates your wood work will always be here
That's what I've been seeing so far and I really enjoy it, those who genuinely appreciate my work are definitely sticking around!
Hey Morgan, glad you’re back 👍 Hope all is well.
Happy to be back and I'm looking forward to getting back into working on projects!
Thanks for the vid. Great work! I’d like to see these videos at one or maybe two parts, versus more than two.
There are a few problems I run into if I try to condense these too much, first is that I lose too much footage, it hurts having to cut out parts of the project to make the videos a certain length. Then the length also affects it because from my analytics, very few people will click into a video longer than 20 minutes. I know it can be annoying waiting for these shorter parts to come out but from what I've seen, I think it's the best approach.
Liked the commentary on this video because it’s so true. I’ve built so many things and look back and can’t remember how I even built it. 😂 maybe I’m just getting old. What kind of glue were u using for this?
There's so many of my older projects where I'll have to go back and watch my video just to remember how I did something!
I used Old Brown hide glue and Titebond's hide glue, minor differences between them but basically I'm just a fan of hide glue.
👍👍👍👍👍