How to answer "What type of woodworker are you?"

[Andrew More]

I get asked this a lot. I never know quite what to say to people. I find most things involved in woodworking to be interesting, and I've dabbled in quite a few. Mostly I seem to just build things for the shop.... using the shop. So self-referential woodworker?

[Anuj Prateek]

I say "nocturnal"

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Slow! Very slow!

Speaking of myself, obviously.

[Michael Burnside]

Fine furniture in whatever style that interests me mixed with CNC technology. And no, I can’t build it cheaper than IKEA

[John K Jordan]

I get asked this a lot. I never know quite what to say to people. I find most things involved in woodworking to be interesting, and I've dabbled in quite a few. Mostly I seem to just build things for the shop.... using the shop. So self-referential woodworker?

I tell them I'm the type who works with wood. The kind from trees.

(the distinction shamelessly stolen, er, borrowed from Brian Crane)
tree_wood_cartoon.jpg

JKJ

[Rob Luter]

I tell people I'm a hobbyist and hand tool enthusiast who aspires to get better at the craft.

[Lisa Starr]

I tell them that I seem to spend most of my time doing finish work on my home. Jamb extensions, custom made casings, cabinetry, built-ins...but, I'd like to build furniture. I hope to build an entertainment cent sooner than later. I very. very slow no matter the project.

[Alan Lightstone]

I tell people I'm an advanced semi-skilled amateur-professional. It's like when I'm asked what I do for a living, and tell them I'm a cardio-thoracic anesthesiologist. They glaze over and usually just walk away.

I like the "Slow one" answer above the best.

[Jack Frederick]

I tell them I specialize in making sawdust and kindling.

[glenn bradley]

I use the description "enthusiastic hobbyist".

[John TenEyck]

I tell people I'm a pretty good woodworker, but not as good as I hope to be, that I like new challenges and solving problems, and that I'm generally happy to build whatever people are willing to pay me to build. The last part is being revised yearly now; I'm getting more selective with what I will build for others, regardless of the pay, so I have enough time to work on what I want to.

John

[ChrisA Edwards]

Expert at turning fine species of wood into firewood.

[Zachary Hoyt]

I would say I am a mildly deranged woodworker.

[Tom M King]

I've never heard that question.

[Andrew More]

Lots of good answers here. I think part of it is that I'm starting to venture into pro-sumer levels of stuff. I've got a nice sawstop cabinet saw, 18" band saw, 8" jointer, 15" planer, cyclone dust collector, and a lot of other top of the line tools. Probably nothing outstanding for the fine folks here, but above 99% of the typical DIYers with a few construction/framer level tools.

I think when people see the setup they assume I'm a bit more serious than I myself think I am. The implication is that you've got this amazing shop, you must be really talented and have a strong justification for having all these expensive tools. I honestly feel somewhat obligated to rationalize the expense, even if it's just a hobby, when we all know there isn't a good economic justification. (And I know other hobbies have their own expenses, I used to own a motorcycle. )