What part of the newspaper do you read first?  Sports? Business? Local news?

Many woodworkers – and others looking for a deal on products and servicees – will often pull the classified ads out of their local paper and go through them first.  There, people who are looking to get rid of their old stuff list their items at what usually is a bargain price.

This week’s question – have you ever purchased a tool through classified ads?  These can either be in the paper or – now that we are in the 21st century – online at a service like Craigslist.

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Woodworkers can find lots of knowledge about the craft by reading books, watching videos and browsing woodworking magazines.

However, when the goal is gaining wisdom, we often turn to other woodworkers for advice.  Believe me, I have asked question after question to anyone who with woodworking experience who would listen…

Later on, I noticed that woodworkers started asking me for advice.  Very strange.

This week, tell us if you have ever had the occasion to give woodworking advice… and if you took the opportunity.

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Hobbies are fun.  They take you away from the everyday world and give us a chance to stretch our creative wings after doing the nine-to-five grind.

But, ask many hobbyists, and they’ll tell you that they have several past times… in the kitchen… in the garden… in the music studio… on the open water… in the garage… and on and on.

This week, tell us where woodworking falls on your list of hobbies.  Is it your one-and-only love, or do you spread time between several avocations?

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Ahhhh, Valentine’s day… one of the most stressful, nail-biting, “What do you mean you don’t have our dinner reservations?!?” “You ran out of roses? On Valentine’s Day?” kind of days…

Oh, wait, I meant to say one of the most romantic days of the year. A day to spend some quality time with the one you love and really turn on the romance.

Yes, there’s nothing like spending quality time with that special someone.  Maybe time taking a long walk in the park, enjoying an art exhibit or watching a movie. Perhaps even enjoying some time doing your favorite hobby.

So, today, on Valentine’s Day, what does your sweetie think about participating in your woodworking hobby?

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Congratulations to the New Orleans Saints, NFL Champions.  I bet there will be some partying on Bourbon Street tonight…

Well, today is Super Sunday, the day the NFL American Football championship is played.

The Indianapolis Colts come in with a rookie coach and arguably one of the best quarterbacks the game has ever seen.  The New Orleans Saints come in with spunk and fire five years after Hurricane Katrina devastated the city.

Both teams come in as the best in their conferences… this is truly a match up of the best teams from this season.

The past few Super Bowls were very exciting games, with last minute heroics to settle the game.  How will today’s matchup match up?

So, what are your thoughts on the game?

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There are many places to find woodworking knowledge.  Websites. Magazines. Talking with experienced woodworkers.

Then there are books. Lots and lots of books.  Whether a classic tome reprinted from centuries ago or a volume of the latest how-to techniques, there’s something for everyone out there.  And, if you can’t find what you need, rest assured there’s probably a woodworker somewhere slaving over a keyboard preparing a manuscript to fill the void.

So, this week, we want to know what you would be willing to shell out for a single book.  Would you be willing to open your wallet wide for the right book, or can you pass, looking to find the information elsewhere?

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There have been many advances in woodworking .  Today, the craft is more of a hobby than a back breaking avocation, with table saws, routers and other power tools making life in the shop easier.

One of the biggest advances in production woodworking shops has been the computer numerically controlled (CNC) router.  Information about the project pieces is entered into a computer, material is fed into the machine and the final pieces are ready in short order. The patterns are repeatable, so many duplicate projects can be produced.  For larger furniture and cabinet shops, CNC machines have been a great addition.

And as technology continues to advance, it won’t be long before manufacturers make smaller, more affordable CNC machines for the average home woodworker.

That begs the question: When CNC machines become more affordable, will you add one to your shop?

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