Gary Rogowski on how woodworking fulfills him
Jul 02, 2014
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For regular visitors to this site, Gary Rogowski is no stranger. He’s a woodworker, author and teacher and has written for Fine Woodworking magazine for many years.
In this video, Rogowski, who is the director of the Northwest Woodworking Studio in Portland, OR, talks about how woodworking fulfills him, especially when working with classic hand tools where the connection between man and material becomes most evident.
Caution, however: Gary uses a four-letter word about 42 seconds into the video, so this isn’t appropriate for children or others who object to occasional use of coarse language.
How about you? Does woodworking provide you with a pleasant escape from the world of high technology?
Comments
I have suffered with ADHD, anxiety and depression my whole life. I am now 28 and found an old stanley plane, some chisels and a table saw in a shed on my dads farm. It has been the most beautiful experience of my life. My mind becomes quiet and I actually have started to 'recover' as people are now buying my work. I get to interact with these people and life after hiding away in my bedroom for over 10 years. God bless woodworking. God bless finewoodworking.com x
I'm not sure I understand the comments about making bowls. Can you clarify for me?
Thank you.
Really! "Dumbest F__king idea ever." Real class Gary! Contributing Editor? Really? Nice contribution.
Wow Fine Woodworking, really disappointed you would allow this on one of your posted videos! Is this beginning of new content featuring the verbally Tough Woodworkers? Will you print interviews like this too?
New standards I guess for Contributing Editors who are to push the envelope of their vocabulary eloquence.
Well put, slharley!
Sheesh, glad I chose not to watch this one with my daughter who, as a budding young woodworker, typically likes to view them with me.
Disappointing...
I think we can probably let the crude comment at the beginning slide. Gary is, after all, quoting the thoughts of a late teenage college student in a Victorian Literature class that has drifted to the professor's desire to turn wooden bowls. Yes, it detracts from what is otherwise and excellent rumination on woodworking and the connections to both wood and making with hand tools engender, but kept in context it is perhaps appropriate, though unwise.
Besides, the notion of making bowls from wood, when we have so many other materials that make bowls that are so much more "user friendly" (dishwasher safe, leak proof, low maintenance, etc.), does superficially seem pretty dumb. When I was 19 there were lots of things that seemed dumb and seem quite different now. As principally a turner, I completely understand that turning wooden bowls is an exercise that goes well beyond the mere usefulness of the bowl, but at 19 I am not sure I got it. I am however, quite sure that my thoughts at that age would have been just as unfiltered as Gary's were.
I thank all for their comments on rogowski's crude introduction. We are all impressed that he took a Victorian English class which proves he paid tuition but missed the refinement the period made famous. I always considered Fine Woodworking the class of such magazines. You proved me wrong.
I DID happen to be watching with my two daughters! It's really sad that I need to preview a 3 minute woodworking video. I know it's not a fine woodworking video but a warning from the blogger sharing it would be in order! NOT impressed!
Taunton;
That's 2 strikes on you for crude remarks on videos. Guess what happens after three? You don't need crude remarks to get my attention. I have no qualms on deleting your url.
Jim
Mr. Burkin, I have to agree with the other commenters. While I liked the video, there are many websites out there (that are generally LESS attuned to the niceties of polite discourse) that nevertheless make a habit of prominently displaying a warning when a video contains language or images that some may find objectionable - or, in the net parlance of today, "NSFW" (Not Suitable For Work). I see no reason why FWW should not make the effort to adopt the same policy.
Sincerely, Brint Keyes
Please reconsider airing such language as what came from Mr. Rogowski. It was very offensive and spoiled the visit to the site. I doubt I'll pay any attention to anything he has to say here again. Thank you, Tom.
What's sickening is everybody wearing their feelings on their shoulders. You people act like your perfect and live to judge those that don't live in your false world of perfection. You people made a bigger issue out of it by putting all the focus on one word instead of the bigger story WOODWORKING. Enjoyed the video. Keep up the great things you do Mr. Rogowski !!
Hate to sound like a prude but the objection is understandable. I often listen to these videos with my 10 year-old daughter and 7 year-old son in ear shot. Would prefer a PG-rated version.
Apologies for the lack of warning in regards to the one instance of coarse language, about 40 seconds into the video. We should have rated this one R.
Perhaps just take it down or bleep him so we can do as was previously suggested...focus on the word woodworking not the F word.
Gary Rogowski at his very best – eloquent, insightful, and fearless. Thank you, Gary!
I've always enjoyed the videos of Gary's projects hosted by Fine Woodworking and the few minutes I got to talk with him at a local Lie-Nielsen event. He seems at peace with himself and strikes me as an all-around good guy.
As for his preference for hand tools, I share his outlook. While, like most folks, I'll continue to use my power tools a lot, after building-up a nice collection of hand tools, I'm finding myself using them more and more to do work performed almost exclusively with power tools in the past. For me it's not so complicated as adhering to a particular philosophy or ideology - it just feels good!
This is why we can't have nice things, you pansies.
I certainly had no problem with the language or the video in general. The language that some folks seem to get excited about is certainly no worse than my three daughters have heard from me over the years (and yes, i expect some would be shocked). Please get over it and your complex. It's just a word.
I had the good fortune of taking a two week class on joinery with Mr. Rogowski at the NW Woodworking Studio. I can tell you that it was one of the highlights of my life. I cannot remember him uttering a single word that was in any way offensive or even misplaced,. He is an outstanding teacher, a true artist, and an honorable person in every way. It is too bad that he is judged so harshly for a single word (especially since it was not used as a noun or a verb and therefore, grammatically does not qualify as offensive). This only shows how ignorant, intolerant, and small minded some people can be. I guarantee you that if you knew him, you would be proud to have your daughters accepted into one of his many classes or programs for Mastery of Woodworking.
I wonder about all these saintly prudes? The subject is woodworking. This man is obviously a master at the subject and a more than qualified teacher of the subject. Do these prudes allow their daughters to watch TV or go to current movies? How about school and social friends, texting, emails, do they think the girls don't hear this and much worse? These dads should make it a learning/teaching moment. Recognize the benefits they and their daughters are recieving from an expert in his field also point out that the one word used is popular in modern day conversation, songs, movies, TV, is at the very least not polite, and upsetting to many people. Please do NOT make this one word all they gain or remember from this outstanding woodworking lesson.
I must say I enjoy Mr. Rogowski's explanation on his enjoyment working with wood.
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