Charlie James

Mike, I like it! You forgot to add money to the equation. Either you need people willing to spend money for quality or the worker having the money to buy tools to build quality furniture. I know you can build with hand tools but you won’t make any money unless you have a customer that’s willing to wait…

Joe, I hate to say it but you’re right. Well, kinda, sorta, almost. I automatically blame the schools because that’s where the introduction to shop can begin if it’s not introduced earlier. If it’s done early enough it can spark a lifelong interest. Now, just like when I was a kid parents were busy and you got your introduction to the trades by watching someone at work and that was good enough to get the wheels turning. If you were lucky a neighbor or relative introduced you to woodworking, etc. Now, I’d say more kids play on computers rather than the streets.

About 45 years ago I worked in a wood shop when they brought in a $250,000 wood cutting machine from Germany. They sent workers from Germany to install it. No computers back then, just type in measurements, throw in a sheet of furniture grade plywood and the plywood comes out cut to size. Now, the plywood goes in and is cut, glued, screwed and spray finished into any piece of furniture you want. Anyway, the manufacturers say it will take up to 6 years to incorporate the Sawstop system into their machines. Felder has their own system which only requires the press of a button to get the machine back to working order.

I agree, like the Jetson’s…

Couldn’t edit and add so I answered my post. This technology will make it’s way into every saw eventually. It’s a wonderful system but they neglect to mention the cost of a new blade and triggering system. $130 for the cartridge and the blade can be $50+ depending, not too shabby if it saves your digits. The saw is a little more expensive than others without the system but since I don’t own one, I can’t compare the quality.

Mike, I had to look up OTOH! That’s his quote but like you say, kids definitely need more opportunities to learn the trades in schools. Most kids of this generation are good at using Ipads,Iphones, computer programming, games, etc but don’t know a thing about physically fixing anything with tools. It’s not their fault, most schools just don’t teach shop anymore. I majored in wood shop, metal shop, printing shop and electric shop. If I didn’t have those classes I’d still be in high school!