Going 'tool' shopping with my husband is always an interesting event. He can quite literally get lost in his own world. One I have no hope of understanding.
Tonight we went to Harbor Freight Tools. If you don't already know about this place, it is a hub for cheep tools and accessories. You can get everything from garden tools to bench top shapers to batteries. The nice part about this store is that you can find some of the disposable stuff that you need without having to pay insane amounts of money to get it when you'll use it once and then it goes in the trash.
When we got home from our excursion my husband noticed a label on a measuring cup that we bought saying that it was not safe for use in food preparation. We looked farther and found that a few of the copper fittings we bought have lead in them. Of course most of the items in this store are made overseas. Actually, we only noticed one that was 'Made In The USA' product as we walked the store.
Although we hopefully don't have to worry about kids putting copper fittings in their mouths. Well at least I hope not. But it is something to keep in mind when buying from stores like this. Most of us don't think anything about everything we touch before we put something in our mouths. Kids toys are not the only things we need to pay attention to when it comes to lead from imported items we have on our store shelves.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
New Formaldehyde Bill
For years the woodworking industry has dealt with a dilemma: to use domestic or imported composite woods better known as plywood, MDF, or particle board. There are several reasons for this problem and the level of formaldehyde is one of them.
Many of the composite woods available to the consumer the big chain home improvement stores is imported where standards for manufacturing are not as closely monitored as they are in the US. With the green movement throughout the world and people generally paying closer attention to those things that affect their health, the level of formaldehyde in products has become an increasing concern for woodworkers. The Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Act will make it so that all manufactures of composite wood and wood products, both foreign and domestic, will have to abide by the same minimum standards regarding this toxic and potentially harmful chemical.
This biggest advantage to domestic woodworkers is that this will even this up a bit in the market. By not having to abide by the same standards overseas as we do here, manufacturers in other countries have been able to produce a product at a cheaper rate making it hard for US companies to compete and still meet the necessary standards.
Currently the bill has passed the full senate and is being proposed in The House.
To read the full article go to http://woodworkingnetwork.com/Article.aspx?oid=1118608&hq_e=el&hq_m=748026&hq_l=9&hq_v=c1b63d294f.
Many of the composite woods available to the consumer the big chain home improvement stores is imported where standards for manufacturing are not as closely monitored as they are in the US. With the green movement throughout the world and people generally paying closer attention to those things that affect their health, the level of formaldehyde in products has become an increasing concern for woodworkers. The Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Act will make it so that all manufactures of composite wood and wood products, both foreign and domestic, will have to abide by the same minimum standards regarding this toxic and potentially harmful chemical.
This biggest advantage to domestic woodworkers is that this will even this up a bit in the market. By not having to abide by the same standards overseas as we do here, manufacturers in other countries have been able to produce a product at a cheaper rate making it hard for US companies to compete and still meet the necessary standards.
Currently the bill has passed the full senate and is being proposed in The House.
To read the full article go to http://woodworkingnetwork.com/Article.aspx?oid=1118608&hq_e=el&hq_m=748026&hq_l=9&hq_v=c1b63d294f.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Training vs. Automation
One of the things I do as the wife of a woodworker and co-owner of our business is read articles relating to our industry. There are some really good ones out there with many helpful, and general tips of the trade.
Over the last three years, the advice has begun to change. At first it was all about the new and latest tools and equipment. Or even sharing information on how to make a handy jig. Now the concentration seems to be on how to help the traditional woodworker to stay a float in this struggling economy.
Something I see often in these magazines is a push for automation. Very rarely do you see the other side of the coin insisting on more training for woodworkers in the industry. I'm not saying it doesn't happy. It does. But the vast majority of articles I come across are backing the former, not the latter.
Being married to someone who spent four years training under a master to learn his craft, it is a little disturbing. I do see the advantages of automation when one is talking about mass production, however in concentrating on that aspect of the industry we are losing the true artist in the field.
Too many are signing on to work at shops with no experience. They are taught to do one aspect of the process while ignoring all the others. It is a job to them. Not a career choice.
While automation has its uses, I believe training is much more important. It will help shops stay competitive in a way that automation can't. Furniture making is and always will be an art form at its heart, and to those craftsman to whom it is their lifeswork and passion.
Over the last three years, the advice has begun to change. At first it was all about the new and latest tools and equipment. Or even sharing information on how to make a handy jig. Now the concentration seems to be on how to help the traditional woodworker to stay a float in this struggling economy.
Something I see often in these magazines is a push for automation. Very rarely do you see the other side of the coin insisting on more training for woodworkers in the industry. I'm not saying it doesn't happy. It does. But the vast majority of articles I come across are backing the former, not the latter.
Being married to someone who spent four years training under a master to learn his craft, it is a little disturbing. I do see the advantages of automation when one is talking about mass production, however in concentrating on that aspect of the industry we are losing the true artist in the field.
Too many are signing on to work at shops with no experience. They are taught to do one aspect of the process while ignoring all the others. It is a job to them. Not a career choice.
While automation has its uses, I believe training is much more important. It will help shops stay competitive in a way that automation can't. Furniture making is and always will be an art form at its heart, and to those craftsman to whom it is their lifeswork and passion.
Monday, March 29, 2010
New OSU Student Union
There is nothing like the pride one feels when a loved ones talent and skill is put on display for others.
My husband had the opportunity to build some pieces for the new Ohio Union on The Ohio State University campus. Tonight one of those pieces, a fireplace mantel, was included in a news story regarding the open house today.
Check out the video here: http://www.10tv.com/live/content/video/10tv.html?referralObject=ka:958277
My husband had the opportunity to build some pieces for the new Ohio Union on The Ohio State University campus. Tonight one of those pieces, a fireplace mantel, was included in a news story regarding the open house today.
Check out the video here: http://www.10tv.com/live/content/video/10tv.html?referralObject=ka:958277
Monday, December 7, 2009
Go Auction!
Being the wife of a woodwork you often find yourself doing things that you never would have imagined doing before you met him. That was the case when he drug me to a local auction.
And why, you may ask, were we going to this auction? Wood, of course.
An acquaintance gave my husband a flyer for a nearby estate auction, and listed there in black and white was the magic word: Lumber.
So to prep for this first time experience for either of us, I was instructed to do some research in the form of an Internet search. There was a web address on the pamphlet where there was not only a listing of the when, where, and what, but also pictures of some of the items. Never in my previous life did I ever think I'd be looking at piles of wood on the Internet.
The day of the auction came with us arriving at just after ten o'clock. Did I mention this was on a Saturday? Yes, well, so here I am on a Saturday morning standing around listening to an auctioneer talking a mile a minute was auctioning off everything from pots and pans to bed linens.
Everything was laid out for inspection for the potential buyers so we took a look around until we found what we were looking for, the reason for us being there in the first place, lumber.
After a close inspection of what was on offer, we went back to the main area and set in to wait for what we were interested to come up on the block.
And we waited.
And waited.
It was one thirty before they decided to get to the whole reason for our presence there. We ended up getting a great deal on enough wood too fill our lumber racks.
By the time we loaded and hauled all the lumber home and unloaded it, it was well after five o'clock and getting dark. What a way to spend a Saturday.
And why, you may ask, were we going to this auction? Wood, of course.
An acquaintance gave my husband a flyer for a nearby estate auction, and listed there in black and white was the magic word: Lumber.
So to prep for this first time experience for either of us, I was instructed to do some research in the form of an Internet search. There was a web address on the pamphlet where there was not only a listing of the when, where, and what, but also pictures of some of the items. Never in my previous life did I ever think I'd be looking at piles of wood on the Internet.
The day of the auction came with us arriving at just after ten o'clock. Did I mention this was on a Saturday? Yes, well, so here I am on a Saturday morning standing around listening to an auctioneer talking a mile a minute was auctioning off everything from pots and pans to bed linens.
Everything was laid out for inspection for the potential buyers so we took a look around until we found what we were looking for, the reason for us being there in the first place, lumber.
After a close inspection of what was on offer, we went back to the main area and set in to wait for what we were interested to come up on the block.
And we waited.
And waited.
It was one thirty before they decided to get to the whole reason for our presence there. We ended up getting a great deal on enough wood too fill our lumber racks.
By the time we loaded and hauled all the lumber home and unloaded it, it was well after five o'clock and getting dark. What a way to spend a Saturday.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Apples & Oranges
Have you ever heard the term comparing apples to oranges?
It is something I find myself repeating often. Just like the picture above shows, there aren't many simalarities between apples and oranges other than the knowledge that they are both fruits.
I find that in the cabinetry industry this phrase more than holds true when it comes to customers who are looking for cabinets in their home. Too often than not, a person will look at a space that they want to fill with cabinets and go looking for the cheapest price.
This is a BAD idea.
There are almost as many ways to build cabinets as there are cabinetmakers, which is why it is important for a comsumer to not only be educated but choose a craftsman they can trust.
Don't be afraid to question the person who is going to potientially building your cabinets. This is a big purchase and you have the right to know what your getting for your money. Find out what type of material they use and why. How many years of experience do they have?
Don't be afraid to compare and contrast between cabinetshops. Make sure you know what you are paying for and why. Just because one shop says they can do it for less money, doesn't mean that is the one that will offer you the most bang for your buck!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
A Man's World
Maybe it is just where we live, but I don't think so. In the three years I've been handling the administration side of our business, I can said with a firm conviction that the woodworking industry is a man's world. Sure there are some of us ladies out there, but we are few in a sea full of men.
About two years ago, I was trying to put together a quote for a client. Of course, they wanted a species of wood that wasn't overly common in this part of the country, so off I went in search. I had to branch out to suppliers I don't normally use. One man very sweetly told me "honey, I've been doing this for forty years and I've never heard of such a thing. Are you sure you've got the name right?"
First, yes, I did have the name right. One thing to note about my husband, don't ever go head to head with him on woodworking knowledge because you will lose. If he says the wood exists, trust me, it does. Second, which brings me back to my point, was the derogatory way in which the man spoke to me. He didn't know me from Adam, but felt confident enough to use an endearment with me before basically telling me I didn't know what I was talking about.
But it isn't all negative. I have to say that sometimes it works in my favor. Because I am so often the only woman walking into a store, sometimes I run into some gentlemen who go out of their way to help me.
When I walked into Grainger last week there were roughly ten men in the store and me. This isn't unusual. I think I've been in there once before when there was another female. If you don't know what Grainger is, it is a store of sorts that sells just about anything under the sun that a business would need. Not just anyone can walk in off the street and buy things, you have to have a business license and open an account, but this company has some of the best customer service I've ever seen. http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/start.shtml
There's also a woodworking shop here in Columbus called Woodcraft that is pretty woman friendly. They have women on staff that all have some level of woodworking knowledge. The only downside to this store, is that it is geared more toward hobbiests than professionals. But, if you are looking to get your feet wet, this would be the place to do it. They have classes ranging from the beginner to moderate skill levels. http://www.woodcraft.com/
About two years ago, I was trying to put together a quote for a client. Of course, they wanted a species of wood that wasn't overly common in this part of the country, so off I went in search. I had to branch out to suppliers I don't normally use. One man very sweetly told me "honey, I've been doing this for forty years and I've never heard of such a thing. Are you sure you've got the name right?"
First, yes, I did have the name right. One thing to note about my husband, don't ever go head to head with him on woodworking knowledge because you will lose. If he says the wood exists, trust me, it does. Second, which brings me back to my point, was the derogatory way in which the man spoke to me. He didn't know me from Adam, but felt confident enough to use an endearment with me before basically telling me I didn't know what I was talking about.
But it isn't all negative. I have to say that sometimes it works in my favor. Because I am so often the only woman walking into a store, sometimes I run into some gentlemen who go out of their way to help me.
When I walked into Grainger last week there were roughly ten men in the store and me. This isn't unusual. I think I've been in there once before when there was another female. If you don't know what Grainger is, it is a store of sorts that sells just about anything under the sun that a business would need. Not just anyone can walk in off the street and buy things, you have to have a business license and open an account, but this company has some of the best customer service I've ever seen. http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/start.shtml
There's also a woodworking shop here in Columbus called Woodcraft that is pretty woman friendly. They have women on staff that all have some level of woodworking knowledge. The only downside to this store, is that it is geared more toward hobbiests than professionals. But, if you are looking to get your feet wet, this would be the place to do it. They have classes ranging from the beginner to moderate skill levels. http://www.woodcraft.com/
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