So Mike, I'll join in on the focus group, and give you the perspective of someone who truly admires your skills, and would love to spend time in your shop, but also someone who hasn't retired yet, and whose discretionary time is limited. I've only ever engaged in watching one, long running series of a relatively complicated build from start to finish, and that was Curtis Buchanan's series on the democratic chair. I got drawn into his series because of an experiment with a spoke shave. I used one for the first time about a year or so back, and was almost immediately addicted. So I asked, what can I build that requires a lot of spoke shave work? How about a chair? How about the democratic chair that doesn't even contemplate using a lathe? (I don't own a lathe - maybe some day). And so Curtis had me hooked. My point is, if you do a start to finish build on anything of much complexity, it is going to be hours and hours of video, and because discretionary time is scarce resource, only those who have a strong desire to either learn the specific techniques you are using or who really want to build the piece you are building are likely to want to watch several episodes. If you do simple builds, they may be short, but they also may not be all that unique. I personally like Tom Figden, Unplugged Woodshop. I think he has done some complete build series, but you have to pay to have access to them. At this stage in my life, this isn't enough of a priority for me to do, but the free stuff, that is something I might spend a Sunday afternoon browsing. This isn't to say paying for quality instruction something I'm unwilling to do, but for now, I don't want to make that time commitment. You have a lot of information to share, and your results speak for themselves. You have experience that is worth sharing, but as Derek said, the viewership may not be huge even though the information is solid. I read somewhere else that newbies all have an interest in tool chests, saw tills, workbenches which is why there are so many resources on these topics, but after that the interests are more segmented. A build thread on a Queen Anne or Chippendale style piece may not appeal to those whose taste run more along the Shaker, Mission, Craftsman vein. Builds featuring expensive, imported lumber may not appeal to those who are pinching pennies and limit their builds to low-cost domestic hardwoods. But these observations aside, you are knowledgeable and accomplished. To me what makes for a good channel is someone who produces great results; demonstrates things clearly; owns their opinions and acknowledges there are other ways; points to other resources or experts; invites feedback; responds to questions and respects different methods, and is encouraging. I also like it when the teacher shares mistakes. I relate to mistakes.
I also appreciate builds done using a minimal set of modestly priced tools. Nothing wrong with premium tools, but for folks on a budget, or folks whose sensibilities just can't see spending thousands of dollars on premium planes, chisels, saws, marking tools, sharpening equipment, specialty hand tools can be a bit of a barrier. Now there's an interesting book or video series idea: Twelve Projects From Apprentice to Jr. Craftsman & the Incremental Tool Purchases You Need to Make along the Way. Introduce the basic kit needed to build the first project, along with the build, then the next, one or two new tools, maybe after the 12 build I have a fairly complete kit?
I don't know where you would start? Construction Grade Lumber Simple Workbench\assembly table or maybe saw bench then workbench? Then bench hook? Then Shooting board? Tool chest? Book Shelf? Let us know what you decide
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