Chasing compentency, fast
and talking less
A great thing about woodworking classes is that it gathers a handful of excited people in the shop, all ready to build. I know the students are excited. I get their messages and am grateful that many travel long distances to work together. The classes are equally energizing for me.
But, a few years ago, I initially talked for well over an hour at the start of things. Everyone stood and listened and asked questions. The clock started at 9am, moved past 10, then started approaching 11. Design, construction, theory, process, etc. I suppose I had a lot to share that day. Not a criminal offense, but also not how I want to start things. I vowed not to do that again.
My goal today, when starting a class, is to get our tools in our hands as soon as possible. With a chair class, we head to the log and split material with sledge hammers and wedges and froes.
There are a few reasons for this;
To make the connection between log and material.
Logically, this is where we start. We need parts. The class knocks out the rung stock.
Sledge hammers are fun. (especially after hours of travel)
There is time later for talking, once we take the sticks to the shave horse. During the hours of drawknife work that follow, we’ll get into design discussions, tool suggestions, process planning, and all sorts of other things. These talks have the added benefit of giving the students a rest from the drawknife - to give their hands and arms a few breaks during the afternoon rung making session.
My goal at the launch of class has changed from; “what information is helpful at the start?” Now I think, “what is the minimum vital info necessary before we start working?”
We’ll talk later. Let’s split a log.
