We think we have licked most of the basic technical glitches for the Lost Art Press forum. We have high hopes that this will be a good way for us to interact with readers and help you get answers to your questions about our books and the techniques in them.
So John and I would like to invite you to stop by an “open house” on our forum from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. EST on Friday, Nov. 6. During those two hours, John and I will be online to answer any questions you have about our upcoming titles, woodworking techniques, tools, beer or cuddling (FYI, we’re not cuddlers).
To ask questions in the forum, you’ll need to have an account in our store. If you have purchased anything from us in the last two years, you probably have an account. If you don’t have an account, you can create one here.
You don’t need an account to read the forum. Some of you are already using the forum and have found it’s a good way to exchange information with other readers who are not wankers.
We’ll see you Friday, Nov. 6.
— Christopher Schwarz
Based on the canvas looks like the forum may be a good place to find a bookie! These guys are clearly wagering Krispy Kremes on the ball game.
Looking forward to the forum!
With the baby boomers retiring and interest in woodworking seemingly increasing, what are your thoughts on a “open shop” business structured by memberships like a health club but focused on woodworking
Several people have tried this approach (see the Woodworking Club in the D.C. area for one). I don’t know much about those business models, to be honest.
I do know that it works well in urban areas in Europe. But other than that, I’m clueless. Sorry.
I have been wondering the same thing. If I was financially secure enough and did not have one kid about to enter college with another 3 years behind, I would love to be able to try and start this up as a business where I live. There are many “maker spaces” out there that provide something like this in cities across the country (I know of one in Austin TX, one in the CA / SF Bay area and another in Atlanta) where they have woodworking tools as well as other items like forges, CNC, laser engravers, electronics rooms, etc. I also know that Facebook in the SF Bay area has an in-house workshop with power tools and actually has Woodcraft employees on staff to run and maintain the equipment. Apparently the Facebook employees are allowed to use the tools (table saws, bandsaws, planers, jointers, etc.) but are not allowed to do any setups or blade changes. Those apparently have to be done by the Woodcraft employees.
I guess the short answer is that this depends on the demographics of the area and the existence of woodworkers that do not have the space for their own shop, money for the tools, or don’t want the hassle of ownership.
I think an ideal would be a large shop space with multiple power tools and multiple sets of hand tools that can be checked out like you would a set of cues and balls in a pool hall. Perhaps open with permanent staff to handle blade changes, etc. and even rental space to store projects, etc. If you could tack on a small woodworking store and lumber supply on hand even more sources of revenue.
I so would love to check out and do this.
CU Woodshop in Champaign, IL works on that model. http://cuwoodshop.com/
I’ll be there in two weeks at their Lie-Nielsen/Fall event.
It’s certainly a great idea, but in this litigious country, I wonder what the insurance situation would be. Signed releases only protect so much and one nasty lawsuit could wipe out a business. Omitting power tools would seem to be much easier. Perhaps the best situation would be for only the proprietor to have access to the planer/jointer/bandsaw with benches and handtools for the users. That’d offer users access to large or very large machines and be easier on the machines themselves.
P.S. I’m no lawyer and only associate with one lawyer friend.
I offered that at the woodworking school had a couple woodworkers come to work on a projects, mind you there are no power tools. when I open in a new place soon I will still offer it. the school and the repair work are the main stays in my shop.
We’re not a makerspace in the true sense and we’re not rolling in dough. We are gaining momentum and having fun along the way. Our club is a good way for hand tool woodworkers to leave the dust and noise somewhere else (Brian, I’m talking to you) while maintaining a small home shop. It’s also a great place for downsizing boomers to continue with their hobby. Or it’s been a way for recent retirees to pick up some new skills and occupy their spare time.
This would probably have been a better thread in the forum but what the hell, shameless plug alert:
Come check us out if you in the Cleveland area or plan on moving there. http://nccwoodshop.org/
These things can work and as the sharing economy grows, I think they’ll be readily available in most communities.
Tom Fidgen is opening a workshop/school/maker space in Toronto. When classes aren’t being taught the workbenches and equipment will be available for use. I don’t know if his model is a by the hour at the bench or flat monthly rate.
Seems that a monthly fee would be the more humane approach. An hourly fee would discourage frequent use and a relaxed pace. A fixed monthly fee has the opposite effect.
In San Jose CA we have a thing called The Sawdust Shop (full disclosure: I teach wood carving there). You pay for the use of the equipment and they offer classes too. They have weekly, monthly or longer memberships. At first insurance was an obstacle but Saw Stop table saws to the rescue! I’m sure that if some body wants advice and info they can get in touch with Craig Colvin at http://www.sawdustshop.com/index.asp
This is a wonderful, creative and accepting environment.
Woodworking techniques leads to tools, leads to beer, leads to cuddling….
Story of my life.
Yes Niels – I recognise that pattern (and enjoy it 😊)