 As many of our regular visitors know, Woodworker West magazine publishes a regular column of excerpts from surveys we conduct on our WoodCentral messageboards from time to time, usually on the "ides" (15th) of every other month. Everyone is welcome to participate, though no attribution will be given and you can count on editorial brutality of the highest order. For those of you who don't subscribe to Woodworker West, here are some scans of previous columns for your amusement. If you recognize your own responses in here, you could be eligible for the coveted WoodCentral "Where's Waldo?" prize. 2000 #1: January/February 2000 What woodworker or woodworking author has had the most profound influence on you? #2: March/April 2000 What's the most rewarding thing about woodworking for you? #3: May/June 2000 Do you design the things you make, or do you work from others' plans? #4: July/August 2000 What type of music do you listen to in the shop? #5: September/October 2000 What improvements would you like to see in woodworking tools, equipment and supplies? #6: November/December 2000 How do we rejuvenate the industrial arts and/or inspire future generations to work with their hands? 2001 #7: January/February 2001 What's the distinction between art and craft? #8: March/April 2001 What traits and interests distinguish woodworkers from other people? #9: May/June 2001 Where do you get your woodworking news, inspiration and know-how? #10: July/August 2001 What will woodworking be like fifty years from now? #11: September/October 2001 What shortcuts are you willing to take when doing quality work? #12: November/December 2001 How have events since September 11 affected you as a woodworker? 2002 #13: January/February 2002 Do you attend woodworking shows? Why or why not? #14: March/April 2002 What is the importance of your shop to you? What makes it special? #15: May/June 2002 What are your strategies for working efficiently and avoiding mistakes in the shop? #16: July/August 2002 Where do you buy your tools and what drives your purchasing decisions? #17: September/October 2002 Where is the line between copying and merely being influenced? #18: November/December 2002 How do you feel about making a living (or part of a living) at woodworking? 2003 #19: January/February 2003 Does woodworking have intrinsic "art value?" #20: March/April 2003 Where will the next generation of woodworkers come from? #21: May/June 2003 What is the future of woodworking publishing? Magazines? DVDs? #22: July/August 2003 How and where do you buy your tools? #23: September/October 2003 How do you feel about sharing your tools? #24: November/December 2003 Would a boycott of tropical woods hurt rainforest conservation? 2004 #25: January/February 2004 Have you used any of the "lesser known species" of wood? #26: March/April 2004 Do tools make the craftsman? #27: May/June 2004 What kinds of jigs and fixtures have you made for your shop? #28: July/August 2004 How do you price your work? #29: September/October 2004 What was your dumbest woodworking mistake: Part 1? #30: November/December 2004 What was your dumbest woodworking mistake: Part 2? 2005 #31: January/February 2005 What gifts are you making for the people on your list? #32: March/April 2005 What is your dream project? #33: May/June 2005 Why do you do woodworking? Part I #34: July/August 2005 How do time and other factors affect the amount of work you put into a project? #36: November/December 2005 What makes a good workshop? 2006 #37: January/February 2006 What gifts are you making for the people on your list? #38: March/April 2006 What advice would you give to someone just starting out in woodworking? #39: May/June 2006 How do you find a profitable woodworking niche? #40: July/August 2006 What other creative pursuits or technical abilities complement your woodworking? #41: September/October 2006 How do you fit your woodworking into the rest of your life? #42: November/December 2006 Have you ever exhibited your work in a gallery? 2007 #43: January/February 2007 What do you think is the future of woodworking? #44: March/April 2007 What inspired your woodworking interest or influenced your direction? #45: May/June 2007 How can woodworking shows be improved? #46: July/August 2007 What suggestions do you have for manufacturers of tools and equipment? #47: September/October 2007 What affects your preference for hand tools or power tools? #48: November/December 2007 How did you start woodworking? |