Documented How-To Threads

[Douglas Robinson]

Steve Coles and I were talking yesterday and both agreed we really enjoy enm's threads on how to make a harpsicord. While pics of finished projects are great, the how-to threads can be better because there is so much to learn from them. I know I have more precise questions when viewing a how-to thread than a finished project pic.

So I propose we have a How-To forum and every should be encouraged to document there workas they go. I have just been asked to make a maple baseball bat. I will take pics as I go and try to explain what I am doing in each step. I also will see if I can recreate sucha thread for the rolling pins I made.

What do all of you think of this idea?

Doug

 

[ptt49er]

That's a GREAT idea!!

I was trying to figure out an easy way I could get all of ENM's posts into a single document to post on the site, but I think having them in a seperate forum would be just as good!

 

[Rob]

How to forum would be awesome.

 

[Bas]

That's a great idea!

Suggestion for anyone contributing to this forum - when you create post #2, go back and edit post #1, and put a link in. That makes it easy for people to follow the story. You can certainly keep everything in one thread, but for really long projects, with lots of Q&As separate threads may be easier.

 

[ErnieM]

I think that's a great idea. Many of us (myself included) are hesitant about trying something new. In many cases, this is because we don't understand the process, or how to start, or what tools we'll need, etc. My goal in my harpsichord building posts is not to convince anyone to actually build such an instrument. Rather, it's to de-mystify a process that is probably unfamiliar to most woodworkers. I am thrilled when someone replies to one of my posts by saying "I think I could do that." That's the whole point - you could if you really wanted to.

In a recent post I mentioned that I am fascinated with pen making. I had no idea of how this is done. So, I went on the Internet and watched some pen-making videos. Now "I think I could do that"! How great would it be to follow along with our own NCWW members as they de-mystify their specialties with us. Go for it.

Ernie

 

[Partman]

That's a great idea!

Suggestion for anyone contributing to this forum - when you create post #2, go back and edit post #1, and put a link in. That makes it easy for people to follow the story. You can certainly keep everything in one thread, but for really long projects, with lots of Q&As separate threads may be easier.

Good idea,as slow as I work it may take a year or so to do a project.

Danny

 

[nelsone]

I like the idea. When I start another project, I'll try to document the process. My problem is I shoot from the hip so much, I'm figuring it out myself as I go along!:icon_scra

 

[Bryan S]

Great Idea Doug especially for those of us who cant seem to be able to make things like Shop Crawls, the shows with demos, Joe Scharle's jig makin and so on. With so many talented people here this type of forum has alot of potential.

 

[CaptnA]

Sounds like a good idea. I know when I have nothing in particular I WANT to be doing and am looking for 'motivation', a good how to goes a long way. I still am going to add my touch to it, but it would be great to see options and photos that have worked.

 

[Canuck]

Great idea, Doug.:eusa_danc:eusa_danc

Certainly would support the statement under out site logo........

"An Educational Service Of North Carolina Woodworker, Inc"

Must remember to have a fresh battery in the camera and notepad in the [strike]shop[/strike] garage.:wsmile:

Wayne

 

[Mike Davis]

That is a good idea, I did a couple of those but can't remember where i put them.

It would be nice to be able to look for certain projects.

Good titles will help too. Something better than:

Hey! Watch This! :rotflm:

 

[Douglas Robinson]

Darn Mike, I was going to title this thread "Hey, Watch This." :gar-La;

Doug

 

[woodArtz]

:icon_thum

 

[Gotcha6]

My problem is I shoot from the hip so much, I'm figuring it out myself as I go along

That's my method, Ed. Do we hafta show all our dead ends & foul ups too?

Must remember to have a fresh battery in the camera and notepad in the shop garage.

Yeah, and some back drop cloths to hide the junk - and a good sturdy tripod.

I like the idea, though. It'll probably make me give more thought to what I'm doing if I hafta 'splain it!

 

[thrt15nc]

Another YES vote here. I really enjoy reading those types of threads.
Great idea!!!

Tom

 

[Bas]

That's my method, Ed. Do we hafta show all our dead ends & foul ups too?

Actually, those are the best ways to teach! It's easy when projects go right. It's when you've cut all 46 rails 1/2" short that the true master emerges.

 

[TracyP]

Sounds like a good idea to me, an easier to follow how to forum.

 

[woodlaker2]

That's a great idea!

Suggestion for anyone contributing to this forum - when you create post #2, go back and edit post #1, and put a link in. That makes it easy for people to follow the story. You can certainly keep everything in one thread, but for really long projects, with lots of Q&As separate threads may be easier.

Hey Bas, if I follow your idea right it makes great sense. Problem is I don't know how to "go back and edit" or "put in a link":dontknow:. I think I would make things worse (longer/duplicate) and not more clear right now. Is there a "for dummies" instruction for doing these things somewhere?
Thanks.

 

[PChristy]

Great idea Doug:icon_thum

 

[sawduster]

Great idea :icon_thum

Bas, ya gonna "IT" us rookies ? :gar-La;