You will never be rich (financially) but my wife has strict instructions to continue to support your business after I’m gone. Seriously, I have been dealing with LAP since you opened your doors. The only other companies I have dealt with that approach you level are Lie-Neilson, and Lee-Valley.
Mine doesn’t tells me too buy more, but she doesn’t complain when I do. I have made a number of trips to Willard St and always enjoy it. I am always enjoying following Kale’s progress with great interest. Have your ever been there?
Yes! I visited this Mecca of woodworking earlier this summer and was in awe of the shop, the class that was going on, the students, and The Library!!! I was actually tempted to move to Covington, KY for a few moments.
It is definitely on my "to-do" list, and it's barely a half day drive to get there. But, something always comes up. First, Covid, then we both had some medical issues. Now, I've been gathering all the tools needed for a chair class, but my daughter is due the week of the next class, so, I can't complain. Both I and my wife hail from 'European Peasant" stock, so that book, and the scribing tool look to be my next purchases.
... I hope you continue your arrangement with Lee Valley: considering the exchange and cross border shipping, they're Crucible and LAP offerings are very fairly priced to any of us in Canada .
You laying out all of this for us is why you're one of the woodworkers that I share with my students. And of course for your woodworking philosophy. And the books that you write/have written. Seriously though, keep being you Chris and we'll keep supporting you.
I'm a little sad that you have to do this every once in a while. Anyone who has been following along is well aware. But I know there are always new followers. But there are also plenty of flat earners, who will never believe facts and reality. Screw them.
This WAS interesting to read and can't imagine that justification is required to anyone. I understand why you wrote this but I'm one of the many who would beat a path to your door without any of this detail. I love the quality of your products but above all, I really appreciate your approach to the discipline and that you are not on any sort of high horse. Experiment, be vernacular, embrace where the pieces came from and out of what financial realities THOSE artists had to work. It's very encouraging. The only problem is that after Aumbrys and 6 board chests (and now the pieces in American Peasant) we've got no wall space left.
Perfectly said and I agree with your philosophy. I followed you at PWW and then at LAP as a customer since its beginning. No need to change what you do.
This is one of those post I do not mind reading over and over again. So will said Chris, I honestly do get a little upset that the LN plane design was stolen, and it is obvious it was.
There is an entity out there that has even stated that they worked for LN in sales and latter jumped ship to work for WC and the entity was the one that help design tools for WC based on where the entity came from (LN), freaking said on YouTube, kind of ballsy if you ask me.
Thanks for the explanation Chris, even though I knew you are a pretty straight forward person, the honesty and integrity shows in everything you and LAP put out there and I cannot see why someone would care how you run LAP. sounds to me like the D---head needs to find a job, a hobby and be grateful for having you and LAP doing what you do to keep the education in the craft alive. I also have the same feeling about Rockler and Woodcraft, just going to leave it at that. Thank you guys.
I recently received my copy of "American Peasant" and am slowly devouring that gorgeous book in order to extend the pleasure it brings to me. My trust in you and your company is complete and it offends me that your your integrity has been questioned. I don't really need any books or tools right now, but later today I will be searching your website for something appropriate to buy just to say "Up yours!" to anyone foolish enough to assume you have been lying to us all these years.
You will never be rich (financially) but my wife has strict instructions to continue to support your business after I’m gone. Seriously, I have been dealing with LAP since you opened your doors. The only other companies I have dealt with that approach you level are Lie-Neilson, and Lee-Valley.
I shared this post with my wife. She said "buy another book, right now". Gotta love her.
Mine doesn’t tells me too buy more, but she doesn’t complain when I do. I have made a number of trips to Willard St and always enjoy it. I am always enjoying following Kale’s progress with great interest. Have your ever been there?
Yes! I visited this Mecca of woodworking earlier this summer and was in awe of the shop, the class that was going on, the students, and The Library!!! I was actually tempted to move to Covington, KY for a few moments.
It is definitely on my "to-do" list, and it's barely a half day drive to get there. But, something always comes up. First, Covid, then we both had some medical issues. Now, I've been gathering all the tools needed for a chair class, but my daughter is due the week of the next class, so, I can't complain. Both I and my wife hail from 'European Peasant" stock, so that book, and the scribing tool look to be my next purchases.
Where are you at?
Cleveland. We just hop on the interstate, head south, there in four to five hours, depending on the construction and traffic.
That was intense; I feel like my own finances were laid bare.
Y’all’s candor regularly impresses/inspires me. Good on ya.
You're clean, as you were.
... I hope you continue your arrangement with Lee Valley: considering the exchange and cross border shipping, they're Crucible and LAP offerings are very fairly priced to any of us in Canada .
Keep up the good work.
You laying out all of this for us is why you're one of the woodworkers that I share with my students. And of course for your woodworking philosophy. And the books that you write/have written. Seriously though, keep being you Chris and we'll keep supporting you.
I'm a little sad that you have to do this every once in a while. Anyone who has been following along is well aware. But I know there are always new followers. But there are also plenty of flat earners, who will never believe facts and reality. Screw them.
This WAS interesting to read and can't imagine that justification is required to anyone. I understand why you wrote this but I'm one of the many who would beat a path to your door without any of this detail. I love the quality of your products but above all, I really appreciate your approach to the discipline and that you are not on any sort of high horse. Experiment, be vernacular, embrace where the pieces came from and out of what financial realities THOSE artists had to work. It's very encouraging. The only problem is that after Aumbrys and 6 board chests (and now the pieces in American Peasant) we've got no wall space left.
Perfectly said and I agree with your philosophy. I followed you at PWW and then at LAP as a customer since its beginning. No need to change what you do.
Cheers,
Michael
I love posts like this, I always learn so much about all the behind the scenes stuff.
There’s always a fly in the ointment…if we thought you were schilling, we wouldn’t be here! Soldier on!
This is one of those post I do not mind reading over and over again. So will said Chris, I honestly do get a little upset that the LN plane design was stolen, and it is obvious it was.
There is an entity out there that has even stated that they worked for LN in sales and latter jumped ship to work for WC and the entity was the one that help design tools for WC based on where the entity came from (LN), freaking said on YouTube, kind of ballsy if you ask me.
And not so terribly coincidentally, the aforementioned entity used to have a fairly large number of woodworking videos offered by LN.
After his "collaboration" with WC on the WR clone planes, and his falling out with
LN, his woodworking videos were no longer available from LN. Imagine that!
Thanks for the explanation Chris, even though I knew you are a pretty straight forward person, the honesty and integrity shows in everything you and LAP put out there and I cannot see why someone would care how you run LAP. sounds to me like the D---head needs to find a job, a hobby and be grateful for having you and LAP doing what you do to keep the education in the craft alive. I also have the same feeling about Rockler and Woodcraft, just going to leave it at that. Thank you guys.
I recently received my copy of "American Peasant" and am slowly devouring that gorgeous book in order to extend the pleasure it brings to me. My trust in you and your company is complete and it offends me that your your integrity has been questioned. I don't really need any books or tools right now, but later today I will be searching your website for something appropriate to buy just to say "Up yours!" to anyone foolish enough to assume you have been lying to us all these years.
Excellent. Diogenes has finally found one.
Ahhh… the truth will set you free…
And I think I’ll buy a Warrington hammer.
Just to help the cause… but not tonight, tomorrow…
Some of your readers have too much time on their hands. Perhaps they should take up a hobby like woodworking. Sust sayin.
Chris, I signed up for a trial membership, just to read the full post.
I NEVER had a concern, (or, frankly, gave a damn) about your finances/tool deals, whatever. You're as honest as... bla, bla, bla.
I just wanted to take the opportunity to thank you for the DVDs you made for Lie Neilson and PW. They form the "core" of my DVD woodworking library.
Particularly love "6 Board Chest", "Dutch Tool Chest", and "Mastering Hand Tools."
I'm sorry you didn't make much mo' money fo' honey, but I'm grateful you made them!