clarionflyer

My neighbor and I were talking the other day... as we were repairing the door frame he mounted backwards...

If Norm Abram ever wanted to be a billionaire, he would compile a dvd of his bloopers. I'd pay 50 bucks for that.



(I was kidding, but now that I'm writing this - it would probably be quite educational.)

Rob

I don't know if it's true or not but I've heard that Norm makes 3 of whatever he's showcasing for that particular show.
The first one gets the bugs worked out...
The second to show the audience what he's making and a third as the show is being filmed.
He's human...I'm sure he screws up just like the rest of us, uh, I mean you guys.

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clarionflyer

I was kidding about him making a dvd. I was serious about the 50 bucks and the education .

skymaster

I will try to find his interview but I remember him saying they do make 2 of everything first does work the bugs out, then the second is the show. He keeps the first and the producer gets the second.

cabinetman

Doesn't sound like a profitable system. Imagine if he and his family depended on what got produced and paid for, and he had to pay for all the materials.

How difficult can it be for him with a sample to go by and whatever tech experts that are connected with the show.

Allthumbs27

Im sure he has many many many sponsors. I highly doubt he comes out of pocket for anything.

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Every fight is a food fight when you are a cannibal.

slatron25

Take that back. Norm never makes mistakes.

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Tim

rrich

A couple of years ago, I had the opportunity to meet and chat with Norm. Yes, he makes two copies. The first or prototype serves two purposes, a guide on how to build and a guide on how to tape the show.

The second copy is typically what is taped and edited for the final show. There are times where the tape from the prototype construction may be used for the show.

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Use the right tool for the job.

Rich (Tilting right)
Huntington Beach, California
Remember that when we have the "BIG ONE" everything east of the Rockies falls into the ocean.

GeorgeC

The show is the thing!

He is not trying to make money from producing the products that he is making.

The money is made from making the show.

G

woodnthings

It's folks like us that made him the "billionaire" he is today, 'cause we like to watch the show. One of us had to do it and become rich and famous, better him than me or.......wait, maybe not! bill
BTW maybe we could start a new topic: Bloopers, misfits and miscreants, make a DVD and share the weath? Put me in for at least a dozen...bloopers, that is. Like they say "It's not that you made a mistake, it's how you fixed it, that counts."

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If you're not making dust, you're gathering it. After I reread my own posts, I agree with myself even more.

cabinetman

George, I'm fully aware of the thrust of the show. My statement was a reference to real life. Those that need to produce a product to earn a living don't have the benefit of having a sample to go by, or "getting to do a second piece".

For the hobbbyist, I would guess it doesn't matter. As they say..."It's much easier the second time around".

Just Bill

I wish I had the resources to go thru a complete project without the need to change drill or router bits, just change the tool. And he is obviously from the school that says you can never have too many clamps, look along the wall.

rrich

Ya know guys, we seem to be a bit harsh on Norm.

Like his techniques or hate the techniques, you have give Norm credit for one thing.

Norm has gotten more people interested in wood working than, perhaps this entire group.

I'll use this brad to hold things until the glue dries. Will any of us remove the nail later? Of course not. But if I hide the nail well, neither of us will see the nail.

Would I use PAINT on a piece??? I don't think that it will get cold enough. Although my customer may paint the piece later out of my sight.

Would I build a "Period" piece? Period pieces are neither LOML nor my cup of tea. However Norm's techniques are interesting and can be applied most other styles of furniture.

You may not realize it but Norm offers a lot of "How To Do It Yourself " plans. (I don't think that he really appreciates this aspect of his show.) If you really listen, you can pick up the techniques of design.

Love or hate him, Norm is an incredible resource for woodworking techniques. Just beware of some of the safety aspects of his power tool usage.

__________________
Use the right tool for the job.

Rich (Tilting right)
Huntington Beach, California
Remember that when we have the "BIG ONE" everything east of the Rockies falls into the ocean.

Cowdog80

Norm > Vila

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Henry Jones II
frightened of the table saws
member of the behlen woodworkers store
glue sniffer no more
what the heck is a waterlox?

tccoggs

I always liked Norm although in terms of profitability, I doubt you could make many of his peices and sell them for profit, however I think the point of the show is to enjoy the work. As his shop changed and gre over the years, it was a bit sad to see the introduction of some of the large equipment (Timesavers) as its pretty obvious that alot of this equipment is totally out of reach for the home woodworker.

BTW, if you look close as some of the projects on TV or in the books you will see small defects. TV hides alot. For example look at the Curved Hearthside Settle that I belive was part of the second or third season. The bench was curved, when norm glued up the panels, he didn't lay out the curves on them when placing the biscuits and one of the cut lines ran right through a biscuit, plainly visable on the front edge of the bench.