Craftsmen may be lying to you. Woodworker Scott Grove TEDx FlourCity

Scott Grove gives a thought provoking TedX talk on the issues of craftsmen using technology. For more interviews, how-to's and free design tips, visit ImagineGrove imaginegrove.com/

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

Perhaps the term 'craftsman' now needs redefining? Machines are levers essentially and obviously if machine technology is not used the cost of a piece of furniture can be beyond the ordinary person so they have their place in minimising labour. It is a complex multi faceted problem because some people don't want honesty in the finished piece - eg. a veneer is arguably a lie because a lot of people think it is solid wood. I think there is a danger of polarising a complex issue regarding the relationship between hand and machine. Part of the unrevealed culture is in the way furniture is sold - quiet exclusive galleries where words are not spoken (eg in the UK). Language tends inevitably to become devalued. Personally I have been using the word 'maker' for most of my creative working life because within that term can also imply innovator - a person who does not copy the past. A big subject!! Thanks for the video.

[@PeterSeftonFurnitureSchool]

A conversation we have had before particularly in relation to marking students work or judging competitions, see you at CCD next week. Cheers Peter

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

Well put, Scott. Yes, they should be honest if it was built by a machine!

[@PeterSeftonFurnitureSchool]

A well thought out and thought provoking lecture, looking forward to seeing you at IWF, cheers Peter

[@gerrykmack3296]

I started out in woodworking using only vintage hand tools, but over time decided that the actual work that I wanted to produce was more important to me than the tools used to get there.
There's no doubt that talented woodworkers in the past produced beautiful work, using only 'traditional' hand tools. But the reality is that those artisans were using tools that were state-of-the-art at the time. I often wonder if at least some would have used tools like CNC, if they had been available to them.

[@imaginegrove]

I would imagine they would have and the clients would have known too

[@mrgeo2u1]

Same in the music industry.

[@markleonard807]

This is the question that has possibly begun the resurgence of handcrafted artisans on platforms like instagram. Hand made axes in Sweden and green woodworking are insanely popular currently. There seems to be more value placed on items that are one of a kind made and not mass produced. When you can order anything cheap and instantly on Amazon type sites, those who are selling their one of a kinds will fetch the higher price and overall value to people.

[@easyinlay]

yes, I think the buyer awareness of CNC manufacturing has raised the appreciation of hand made.

[@tahoeturner]

Nice job Scott. To play devil’s advocate, I wonder how many potential buyers or collectors really care how the item was created. From my experience, selling segmented woodturners, I get asked, “how long did that take or how many pieces of wood are there?” Whether I cut my wood by hand or by a motorized saw, never gets asked. The most important thing is do they like it. How will it look in my home? Etc

[@imaginegrove]

yes, although the educated collector might. For example, at Wendell's the AP (artist proof) of an edition would always sell for more. Is that because it was hand made by Wendel and the rest of the edition not and or made by the carving robot? All good questions. I see a time when most things are made by CNC and the hand made WILL become more precious. thanks for chiming in.

[@Markevans36301]

As a "techno maker," I've always believed in honesty, but I also laugh at "craftsmen" that declare all things helped by an intelligent tool fake while having hundreds of jigs in their shops. If the method is the art, fine; pick your period and use only tools from that period. Otherwise, everything is just different brushes for an artist to yeald. My two cents, worth much less.

[@imaginegrove]

yes, my only point was if the client assumes it was made "by hand", say marquetry was hand cut and then a laser was used and the process wasn't revealed to the client, that is dishonest and misleading. I am all for whatever process works. thanks for chiming in.

[@jasonhumphreys261]

Spoken by someone who has never programmed a cnc.
Some of my designs have over 100 hours of design work and that’s before I even touch a piece of wood. Most “Craftsmen” use power tools, jigs, measuring instruments, etc.
A cnc is nothing more than a fancy saw and it takes 100% the skill to run it as it does a bandsaw or a chisel.

[@imaginegrove]

Unfortunately you missed the point. And I do use and program a CNC.

[@paulsmithsonite582]

Utter bollocks. A lathe is a machine as is a drill or a saw. You want Craftsman to bite the timber into shape? Rub a stick with their thumbs until it becomes a dovetail? I have a CNC router a laser cutter and 3D printers. But I also have a wood lathe hand planes and wood carving tools that I use every week. Can anyone else say “jealous much”???

[@imaginegrove]

I think you missed the point. On my lathe I control the cutter with my hands, with my CNC I don't. I have both but make sure IF is create something with a CNC or laser, I simply want the client to know, so they don't assume I made it by hand. Just be honest with your clients