Do you think women make good woodworkers?

[Marilyn]

Glen--it's ok to feel like a parrot as long as you don't look like one... ;)

[Linda]

Yes I certainly do and there are not enough of us. Good for you. I love to do woodworking, and I think I am pretty good at it. I haven't taken any classes and am not as adept as most men, but not too bad for a women. I use several types of saws. I have a scrollsaw, drill press- drill-compound mitre saw-skil saw-and am planning to buy a band saw. I make mostly small wall figurines , but I am moving into bigger things. I have made some furniture items. Good for us. We can stick together.

[Lou_williams]

Linda,

I don't know why you say your not as apapt as most men. I don't see how that can be possible since most men don't know which end of the saw to hold. I have been cutting wood for over 30 years, but you might be better than I am. There a lots of woodworkers and most of us are men. That does not mean that most of us are better than anyone else.

We each move to our own beat, and we all do slightly different things. The vast majority of men in woodworking are building basic cabinets. There is nothing wrong with that, we need cabinets and people need to have an income, but your small projects may well require much more skill to build then the basic box cabinet.

Don't sell yourself short.

Lou

[4kidslittlehouse]

I'm glad to see this discussion.

I agree that, now, having enough of an interest to be dedicated to the art, is the criteria for being a good workworker, not one's sex.

I had to struggle for years to get my husband to "let" me have my own power tools, before I could build a wall, and some benches. But I don't have the husband anymore <thank goodness>, so that's not holding me back.

These days, with 4 kids and a FT job, I don't have much time left over to do more than help my father build the projects we've designed together. He's wonderful for patiently working a concept over, and listening to ideas. I have gorgeous stuff, and it's really, really unusual.

On the subject of male/female roles, I was raised to do everything. I was my father's oldest son, so I built fences and buildings, helped with the tractor, as well as cooking and childcare. So, I never did fit inside any of those roles. <fine with me>

I tell my children that there's no reason to limit themselves to sexual roles. My second girl is great with woodworking tools. Designed a working crane, and built it. Dad's looking at her for apprenticing, under him.

Linda

[Jose Prado]

I think women can be fine woodworkers. I've seen some work done by women--a lot better than I (a man) can make.

Jose

[Glen]

Linda, Marilyn and your ilk.

I hope you never encounter any gender based harassment on this forum. I don't believe you will, at least not without curt responses from most anyone who's been with us for a bit.
I also hope you've felt welcome and comfortable posting any questions, suggestions, or ideas. I believe your the very Linda I blasted off a copy of some plans to. Which means you may still have my personal email address. Hence; should you have a question
you may be a little gun shy about posting, drop me a line.
But I believe you would realy have to go some to get a rash treatment from the folks here.
With luck and patience perhaps more women and kids will join us.

Glen

[4kidslittlehouse]

Yes, I have your addy around here somewhere....LOL.

Just FYI, I've felt perfectly welcome here on the forum. A bunch of good guys, with a sense of humor. Glad I found this place.

The forum was an awfully good idea. It's like there's a whole room full of people (not just guys), ready to help each other.

Thanks a bunch,
Linda

[Denise (Guest)]

I find it much easier to use wood shop tools than my sewing machine!

[Denise (Guest)]

I love you, Lou. You took the words right out of my mouth. Woodworking equipment is easier to use than a basic sewing machine, and what anyone does with it has everything to do with their personal artistic vision and dedication to learning new things. That is the case for women and men both.

[dicklaxt]

Why don't you contact the instructor that is going to teach the class and ask he/she what would be a good set of tools to get aquainted with prior to class kickoff.

Good luck in all you do.......

Dick