In the last two weeks, three different people have asked me what I think of “this new bamboo” material. And, since I have done two jobs using bamboo, I can actually offer an informed (albeit biased) opinion: It is the weirdest “wood” I have ever worked with! (more…)

The job we have in the shop right now starts out with the fabrication of 28 interior doors. Inch and three quarters thick, eight feet tall and made of alder. When the customers told me they wanted to use alder, I almost choked! Alder? That’s…. well…. crap. In over 35 years of “high end” cabinetmaking and architectural woodworking, I have never made anything out alder. But I figured, ‘what the heck.’ (more…)

A recent New York Times article focused on the fact that increased shipping costs are starting to have a serious effect on globalization. (more…)

Have you ever been in one of those situations where it seems like you are simply not going to be able to avoid crashing into the wall? (more…)

Over the years, I have encountered just about every “technique” a customer can employ in an attempt to get me to finish the job faster. But my least favorite is “the party.” We have all experienced this. (more…)

Over the years I have written a number of articles about employees. And there have also been several blog posts on this subject and will, undoubtedly, be more. But most of the time the perspective has been from the employer’s point of view. How to get more out of your employees, how to get them trained properly, how to make sure they are happy, etc. But the other day I was made aware of a request made by an employee that, frankly, made me admire the person. (more…)

This post has nothing to do with business, or woodworking for that matter. It’s just very funny. (more…)

How many times have people come into your shop with drawings that have obviously been produced by another company and asked you for a price? (more…)

In over 35 years in the woodworking business, I don’t think I have ever done a project, large or small, that I did not have to deliver. (more…)

Last week we were talking about “gate keepers” and how they can affect your business. We were mostly looking at contractors but gate keepers can also be designers, architects or even a friend who has the confidence of the client. How we deal with these people depends a lot on what their motivations are. (more…)