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Craftsmanship & Work Ethics
September 14, 2007
Seeing Norm Abram’s picture on the cover of the September 3rd issue of “Design News” was a pleasant surprise. I have been a Norm fan for a long time. I can’t remember when I started watching “This Old House” and “The New Yankee Workshop” but I do know I was young and captivated by the quality craftsmanship presented in these shows.
Everyone in manufacturing could learn a few things from Norm and his colleagues. These folks deliver quality products every time. They consistently demonstrate an excellent work ethic and a mastery of skill, two attributes that are impossible to imitate.
I’ve watched these guys do what seemed to be impossible from rebuilding a foundation with a house sitting on top of it to fabricating authentic hardware just as it was made a century beforehand. They never take shortcuts and always use the most appropriate tools and materials. Norm knows lean too! This is evident in the layout of his shop and how it is organized. You can view the shop here.
I often get asked “where did you learn to do that” these days I truly can’t remember where I learned to do many things but I am sure I can thank Norm and his crew for more than a few successful DIY projects.
Growing up in a machine shop certainly paved the way for a lifetime of learning as well. I received more than an education growing up around machine tools. I was taught the value of a good work ethic and quality craftsmanship. I was fortunate to work around some very skilled machinists and tool makers.
I have lost sight of this good fortune throughout the years. I realize this today as a generation begins to close up those Gerstner tool chests and put away their Dykem layout fluid for good. These folks are not going to be around to tell me stories of their good old days and lend me advice when I need it, or to tell me “it’s off by two tenths” without even measuring. They are not even going to be there to call me the “young fellow” anymore. Now there’s an epiphany!
Posted by David Sanders on September 14, 2007 | Comments (0)
