Comments on: Say it Ain’t So, Norm

By: Joseph

Joseph — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 11:38:40 +0000

Hey Norm, Many many thanks for all those educational years filled with expertise and good humour.

Joe

By: Rex Wenger

Rex Wenger — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:23:44 +0000

Thanks Norm for all your good teaching about all things related to woo working projects.
I am 80 years old and looking forward to many years making saw dust and wood shavings.
Best to you, Rex

By: Vince

Vince — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 12:41:49 +0000

Norm: You helped me make a lot of saw dust over the years and I “Thank you” for all of it.

PS: You got me out of the “Designer firewood stage”.

Vince

By: Bill Fields

Bill Fields — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 22:59:27 +0000

I am sitting here reflecting on this New Years Eve how Norm has affected my woodworking skills. I’ve been on vacation this week and building a somewhat similar version of the Deluxe Router Table.

My Dad was my first teacher explaining the basics with hand tools and a limited stock of power tools.

When Norm first came on, I was initially bothered with the wondrous amounts of pneumatic nailers and the wide selection of power tools. Now I look at my shop and all I see are examples of Norm’s huge influence.

2010 is going to be dramatically different on Saturday mornings. Where do we go from here? No offense to the journal.

Happy New Year?

By: Don Shaw

Don Shaw — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:01:42 +0000

thank you Norm for all the years and projects, I became interested in woodworking watching NYW and have followed almost everyone of your seasons of shows.
Good Luck in the future in what ever you do.
Don Shaw, Republic, MO

By: Shawn Donathan

Shawn Donathan — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:42:55 +0000

The news of an expiration date for the New Yankee Workshop is a sad moment, but has helped me to reflect on myself, just as I am sure Norm is reflecting on his glorious run on the show. Norm Abram is the sole inspiration that attracted me to woodworking. I am only 25 years old, and have not been enjoying the show, and the host as long as most of the fans, but I feel the Effects it has had on me will show just as well as I pursue this wonderful love that has been sparked in me. This may sound a bit like a eulogy spoken at a funeral, but I feel that in a way, I am saying goodbye to a great teacher who is walking out of his classroom for the last time. Thanks for everything Norm.

By: Phil

Phil — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:09:13 +0000

Norm, thanks for the many wonderful ideas and especially the safety tips. Some times my son wouldn’t listen to me about safety, but if Norm Abrams says to wear your safety glasses he puts them on. I wish you weren’t leaving and will no longer have a reason to watch PBS on Saturday. Nothing else on TV is worth watching.

By: David Bourne

David Bourne — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:10:06 +0000

Norm, Iam sorry to hear that you will not be doing anymore presentations on the New Yankee Workshop. It is the only show I have seen that has any benifit to me as a self taught woodworker. Here in Australia we do not have this type of show that says you can do this. Thank you for your help and good luck for your future.
Regards David

By: Scott

Scott — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:06:42 +0000

Sorry to hear Norm is leaving NYW. As an active member of the furniture business community, I have always enjoyed Norm work with his hands and machines. He’s proven with the right set of tools and knowhow, anything is possible. Good luck Norm.

By: L D Johnson

L D Johnson — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 16:49:23 +0000

Been a fan for many years. Have Beta to Vhs tapes of past shows. Now have a DVD recorder to get my PBS slice of heaven here in San Diego (NYWS, TOH, Ask TOH & Hometime). Thanks Norm for the help & Inspiration over the years. –Luke–

By: Richard V

Richard V — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 03:00:02 +0000

Although I am a bit sad by the demise of the New Yankee Workshop I am not too surprised. Norm did a great job with the limitations that I am sure were placed upon him (like a thirty minute show and 20 minutes of actual show time). There was no teaching done in that short time. Show the project piece, go through the motions of doing the work and show the end results. The latest version quickly became boring because there just simply was not enough time to actually talk about the tools, show the tricky parts of a project, teach a mastery portion of the project and make it a great learning experience. Unfortunately the show became a “look what we’ve done” coupled with the Antique Roadshow. I hope that the carriers and producers learn that television is supposed to be more than a video clip. Richard V.

By: J. Reid

J. Reid — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:56:56 +0000

Norm Abram and the New Yankee Workshop have changed my life. I have been learning the craft from Norm for the last 15 years of so. I remember very clearly setting up my wood shop one piece at a time to make some of the NYW projects. Having made several for family and friends over the years I truly believe I have benefited greatly from the fine example set by Norm Abram and the crew at NYW. Thank You for the last 21 years. I will keep the drive alive in my shop.
Sincerely, J. Reid

By: Roy Leggett

Roy Leggett — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 06:52:26 +0000

It is with sadness that I read about Norm Abram leaving the New Yankee Workshop. I started watching him 11 years ago and have not missed a show since. It is because of him that I do wood work today. I have taped over 1000 shows of him and refer to them regularly. All I can say is “Thanks, Norm, you have taught me a lot. No one will be able to fill your shoes.”

By: Steve Bamrick

Steve Bamrick — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:57:16 +0000

Sorry to see NYW go to Valhalla. I always enjoyed the manner in which Norm does things in his shop, reminds me of myself. I’m sure I did not see all the programs so I will have to try and pick them up on reruns. Good luck Norm.

By: Jim Brown

Jim Brown — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:59:33 +0000

I will miss “The New Yankee Workshop”. “This Old House” has too much “history”, and not enough wood working for me.