Woodsmith Shop TV show

[Jason White]

I've been watching the new "Woodsmith Shop" TV series on PBS and must say I've been really enjoying it (we get it on the New Hampshire PBS station here in the Boston area). As somebody who works in television, I'm very impressed with the production value and the guys on the show are pretty great on-camera. The practice they got doing the "podcasts" on the magazine's website seems to have greatly prepared them for TV.

I can't help but think it's shot a little too much like a cooking show, however. Multiple cameras that just cut back and forth. Nothing over-the-shoulder, so they don't always go tight into the work to show you a lot of detail like The New Yankee Workshop does.

All-in-all I'd say this show definitely has a place on TV. I do hope, however, that instead of just a "TV" version of Woodsmith magazine, that they make the program a bit more project-focused at some point. Otherwise, I think they risk losing viewers in the long run.

Call me crazy, but don't most woodworkers, even beginners, want to see a piece of furniture get built? I like that they focus on the techniques a little more in-depth, but they're not really showing me anything I haven't already seen a-thousand times in the 6 or 7 woodworking magazines I already subscribe to. Some of the jigs and fixtures they build are cool to see, however. They really excel in that department. In fact, many (if not all) of their jigs are prettier than much of the "furniture" that I build. :D

Jason

[Robert foster]

Jason:
We have had it here in IA for several months now. I agree with you about the slick production. I enjoy it but I usually forget to watch when it is on. Luckily it's on twice a week here. Friday at 6:30 and Saturday at 1:30. They usually have a different segment each time so if I think about it in time I watch both of them. I hope you continue to enjoy something from way out here in the sticks of Iowa.

Bob

[Steven J Corpstein]

I just got back from the Woodsmith Store in Des Moines today with a new SC 8" Industrial jointer. Haven't gotten anyone to help me lift it out of the truck yet, so it's parked in the shop where it's warm. Heck of a store.

[Robert foster]

Steven:
Where do you live? There has to be WWs that Can help unload the Jointer. I got the SC6"er a few months back from there. Thank Goodness I brought a friend to help. I live in Corning so if you're close let me know and maybe I can help. I'm sure you'll love the SC jointer. I have 5 of their large powertools.
Bob

[Steven J Corpstein]

Steven:
Where do you live? There has to be WWs that Can help unload the Jointer. I got the SC6"er a few months back from there. Thank Goodness I brought a friend to help. I live in Corning so if you're close let me know and maybe I can help. I'm sure you'll love the SC jointer. I have 5 of their large powertools.
Bob

Thanks a ton for the offer, but I live in Marion (Cedar Rapids). I can get some help tomorrow AM. I purchased this jointer based on the experience I've had with my SC 15" planer. They seem to pay attention to the small details like fit and finish.

[Jason White]

We got off topic here a bit.

Anybody else seen the show? What are you thoughts?

Jason


Thanks a ton for the offer, but I live in Marion (Cedar Rapids). I can get some help tomorrow AM. I purchased this jointer based on the experience I've had with my SC 15" planer. They seem to pay attention to the small details like fit and finish.

[Brian VanHeuverswyn]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to the forums, but thought I'd pipe in.

I am the I.T. Director at August Home Publishing (producer of the Woodsmith Shop T.V. show). We're just getting started on season 2 of the show and it is going to be a lot different than season 1. More handheld camera shots (over the shoulder), more projects, etc. Season 1 was our first foray into broadcast television and we learned a lot. Look for us to take what we've learned and modify it a bit to make season 2 even better.

Glad to hear that everyone is enjoying the show. We're covering about 40% of the country so far, so we're really proud of how well the show is doing. Remember that we're giving away some free plans and articles at the show website. Check those out at WoodsmithShop.com (http://www.woodsmithshop.com).

Brian
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[John Hain]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to the forums, but thought I'd pipe in.

I am the I.T. Director at August Home Publishing (producer of the Woodsmith Shop T.V. show). We're just getting started on season 2 of the show and it is going to be a lot different than season 1. More handheld camera shots (over the shoulder), more projects, etc. Season 1 was our first foray into broadcast television and we learned a lot. Look for us to take what we've learned and modify it a bit to make season 2 even better.

Glad to hear that everyone is enjoying the show. We're covering about 40% of the country so far, so we're really proud of how well the show is doing. Remember that we're giving away some free plans and articles at the show website. Check those out at WoodsmithShop.com (http://www.woodsmithshop.com).

Brian
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Congrats on the first season!

My only wish would be to do a couple shows on more advanced woodworking projects and skills/techniques. Seems like the show got stuck trying to teach the simple stuff and forgot about some of the challenging stuff. Even beginners like to see complicated projects! You can't really efficiently improve your skills until you are exposed to the next level of skills......

Other than some techniques that I found "iffy" (the "square cuts" episode), I think you all did an outstanding job for the first year.

I'm looking forward to the upcoming episodes.

[Brian VanHeuverswyn]

My only wish would be to do a couple shows on more advanced woodworking projects and skills/techniques.

John - after reviewing season 1, we agree that we should include more projects in the show. I think you'll be pleased with season 2 in that regard.

One of the things (in my opinion) that sets August Home apart from other publishing companies is that we put a premium on learning and education. As much as that may sound like lip-service, I can attest to the fact that learning is an integral part of the August Home culture. I think that there are a number of television shows that focus more on the project and less on the necessary skills to build that project. The Woodsmith Shop (season 1 anyway) has purposely focused more on techniques rather than focusing on a project. I think that we are certainly unique in that regard.

We've gotten A LOT of feedback from novice and expert woodworkers alike. Many of them appreciate the technique and educational aspects of the show. Of course we've also gotten feedback asking for more projects and more detail. So, we're going to try and find a balance between both.

Thanks!

Brian

[Norman Pyles]

Glad to have another woodworking show to watch. I haven't missed any of the Woodsmith Shop shows, keep up the good work Brian.:cool:

[Jason White]

Who is the show distributed by? PBS or APT?

Jason


John - after reviewing season 1, we agree that we should include more projects in the show. I think you'll be pleased with season 2 in that regard.

One of the things (in my opinion) that sets August Home apart from other publishing companies is that we put a premium on learning and education. As much as that may sound like lip-service, I can attest to the fact that learning is an integral part of the August Home culture. I think that there are a number of television shows that focus more on the project and less on the necessary skills to build that project. The Woodsmith Shop (season 1 anyway) has purposely focused more on techniques rather than focusing on a project. I think that we are certainly unique in that regard.

We've gotten A LOT of feedback from novice and expert woodworkers alike. Many of them appreciate the technique and educational aspects of the show. Of course we've also gotten feedback asking for more projects and more detail. So, we're going to try and find a balance between both.

Thanks!

Brian

[richard poitras]

Brian, I have enjoyed the show so far and think it was a good start, everyone has to learn how before they can do any kind of projects. I too like to see different project designs being made, but knowing how to do it is just as important, I have been woodworking for 30 years now and think what you have done so far is good for the new bees to woodworking .. Looking forward for next season…

[Pat Germain]

Man, my local PBS station is apparently very lackluster. I haven't seen Woodsmith Shop at all and they run old episodes of NYW. I haven't seen the kitchen cabinet episodes at all.

I know, I should write them and ask for Woodsmith Shop. I'll go ahead and write, but I doubt my words will get any action. :rolleyes:

If it weren't for lousy FCC regulations, I could pick any PBS station in the country to watch on my satellite dish.

[Greg Just]

John - after reviewing season 1, we agree that we should include more projects in the show. I think you'll be pleased with season 2 in that regard.

One of the things (in my opinion) that sets August Home apart from other publishing companies is that we put a premium on learning and education. As much as that may sound like lip-service, I can attest to the fact that learning is an integral part of the August Home culture. I think that there are a number of television shows that focus more on the project and less on the necessary skills to build that project. The Woodsmith Shop (season 1 anyway) has purposely focused more on techniques rather than focusing on a project. I think that we are certainly unique in that regard.

We've gotten A LOT of feedback from novice and expert woodworkers alike. Many of them appreciate the technique and educational aspects of the show. Of course we've also gotten feedback asking for more projects and more detail. So, we're going to try and find a balance between both.

Thanks!

Brian


Brian:

How can we get it in the Twin Cities? I have written to the local PBS stations and for some reason they have no plans to show it.

NEVERMIND! Just discovered one of the stations will start carrying it next week!

[Colin Giersberg]

I am wondering when it will come to Alabama Public Television. I wouldn't mind having another woodworking show to watch.

Regards, Colin

[Greg Hines, MD]

Man, my local PBS station is apparently very lackluster. I haven't seen Woodsmith Shop at all and they run old episodes of NYW. I haven't seen the kitchen cabinet episodes at all.

I know, I should write them and ask for Woodsmith Shop. I'll go ahead and write, but I doubt my words will get any action. :rolleyes:

If it weren't for lousy FCC regulations, I could pick any PBS station in the country to watch on my satellite dish.


Pat, I wrote to the Nashville PBS channel when I read about this in the magazine, and it took them a couple of weeks and then I got an email saying that they were going to put it on.

I just wish they had ditched that Scott Phillips program instead of the Router Workshop instead.

Doc

[Ken Fitzgerald]

I can tell you that I am able to watch it on Sunday morning. I like it.

[Brad Hammond]

hey!!!!!!!!!!!!!! athens!!!!!!!!!! bama boys are coming to town!!!

colin i've written apt multiple times, but have never recieved any replies. maybe in the future, but i'm not optimistic. fingers crossed though!

[Colin Giersberg]

Hi Brad, I was beginning to think that I was the only member from "Bama". Glad to see that I am not the only one.

Regards, Colin

[Pete Janke]

I'm really enjoying the show in Northern CA. We have a DVR which allows watching it anytime I like.

[Greg Just]

I'm really enjoying the show in Northern CA. We have a DVR which allows watching it anytime I like.

If the show is not in your local area, then you need to write to your local PBS Station telling them you want to see the show. www.pbs.org (http://www.pbs.org)

I did this and some even wrote back. We are finally going to get the show here.

[Jeff Dege]

NEVERMIND! Just discovered one of the stations will start carrying it next week!
Which station? I looked and found nothing.

[Greg Hines, MD]

To Brad and Colin,

NPT out of Nashville has it on on Saturdays, if you can get Tennessee channels.

Doc

[Colin Giersberg]

Greg, no can do. I will have to go to my Mother in Law inMemphis in order to watch.

Oh, well.

Regards, Colin

[Charles Cannon]

After watching the show about making drawers I got the plans for the rollaway tool box from the website. I built the carcase last week and the drawers today. So far I have used only material I had leftover or saved except for the drawer slides. I hope it helps reduce the clutter.
Cannon

[Todd Hyman]

To Brad and Colin,

NPT out of Nashville has it on on Saturdays, if you can get Tennessee channels.

Doc

It's on in Atlanta on Sunday mornings at
I think 11:30 or noon if you can get PBS in Atlanta, channel 8. It has been on since the first of the year. I miss most of them but I tivo it and then record them onto dvds for future reference.

[Russ Massery]

We have it in the Chicagoland now since the beginning of th year. I like so far, I feel it's gear more to the newbe. But feel you can never turn your back on an education. In life, well as woodworking there's always new things to learn. For those of you in the area it's on WYCC at 12:00pm on Sunday.

[Brian VanHeuverswyn]

Hey guys,

Thanks for the great comments.

If you'd like to know if the show is on in your area, you can search on our website. You can click here to access our online web search tool (http://www.woodsmithshop.com/schedule/index.php). Simply click on the link and type in your zip code. You'll see if the show is on in your area. If it is not, you will be given a link to contact your local PBS affiliate.

Someone asked me if the show would be available on DVD or online. Currently (due to contract limitations), we aren't able to sell the show online or on DVD. But, that is in the works down the road. Currently, the only way to watch the show is on TV. If it's not on in your area, please contact your local station. They are generally very responsive when viewers contact them.

Jason asked who the show is distributed by. The show is produced by Iowa Public Television and is distributed by NETA I believe. Hope that answers your question.

Anyway, thanks again for all of the kind words!

Brian