Inspiration

Good morning folks!

A phrase that gets passed around the woodworking world, and I’m sure more maker communities, is “paralysis by analysis.” If you have ever searched for a tutorial, recipe, or general instructions then you have seen the wave of various websites filled with differing views. Let’s do a quick test; search “how to change a light bulb” in Google. You will see a straight forward set of steps, two included videos, eight different websites and two separate wiki sites. All of the information will be similar but with tweaks here and there: turn the power off and wait 5 minutes: turn the power off and wait 20 minutes: turn the power off to the room and unplug the lamp and wait 2 minutes. When someone wants to learn something new, they can be “paralyzed” by the number of facts/opinions shared on the Internet.

Makers tend to tiptoe the fine line between obtaining references and over analyzing decisions. The best way I have found to combat the negative outcomes would be to consume knowledge by those I trust the most and check out others just for kicks and giggles. Here is a list of some of the woodworkers that have inspired the PlaneOleWoodShop.

1. Keith McDavid: My dad who first had my brother and I building and installing cabinets between the ages and 7-12. Wasn’t fond of it at the time by I learned the basic of safety and tool use. He also sent his workshop full of tools and provides advice throughout various projects.
2. Norm Abrams: You would be hard pressed to find a maker (wood or not) who hasn’t made the journey to Nantucket for an episode of The New Yankee Workshop. The inspiration for Al in Home Improvement was best known for his ginormous workshop with every tool known to man kind. Nothing could beat his radial arm saw with a dado set or his obsession with pin nails.
3. Marc Spagnuolo The WoodWhisperer: Marc was the first YouTube woodworker I discovered. I have binge watched builds from the infamous end grain cutting board, hanging hand tool cabinet, and the numerous shop moves. His hybrid point of view with emphasis on power tools has become eye candy for the weekend woodworker.
4. Shannon Rogers The Renaissance Woodworker: Shannon is my kind of guy, an old soul who finds passion in making with his hands. He was bitten by the hand tool bug several years ago and has sense shifted his focus to endorsing the evolution back to knuckle-dragging-neanderthals. I have grown to find my own passion for build and manipulating material with man power.
5. Paul Sellers: The hand tool Englishman came onto the scene a few years back and has shown the woodworking world that even the most beautiful pieces of furniture can be crafted by hand. He does an excellent job of disproving the notion that you need specific tools to do the job. Most of his work is done with a panel saw, dovetail saw, pocket knife, chisel and of course his #4 smoother (a very small list for most hand tool enthusiasts).
6. Jay Bates: There is something to be said about being an everyman’s woodworker. Jay does a great job of combining excellent techniques and tools with common materials. Sometimes learners get caught up in using high quality wood for projects where Jay can use a 2×10 and create an amazing piece of furniture.
7. Honorable Mention: April Wilkerson, Matt Vanderlist, Matt Cremona, Rob Cosman, Nick Ferry and Frank Klausz.

Disclaimer: I understand that I contribute to the vast amount of information out on the internet but oh well!

There so many more bloggers out there to check out. If you have any personal that I or the other readers should take a look at please leave their information down in the comments.