One of the great features of a Guild membership is having access to live interactive interviews with notable woodworkers and professionals in the industry. On December 7th, we had a chance to speak with David J. Marks. David Marks is an accomplished designer, furniture-maker, turner, and artist. He was the star of the Woodworks TV show on the DIY Network, which in my opinion, is some of the best woodworking programming ever made! And now David travels around the world teaching woodworking, as well as teaching in his very own school in Santa Rosa California.
David recently released his latest DVD, Bandsawn Veneers, which will show you how to dial-in your bandsaw for precision veneer cuts. And if you are having trouble getting your saw setup properly, I highly recommend you check it out. So for more information about David’s DVD’s and classes, check out his website: DJMarks.com
The full interview is over an hour and a half long and what I have for you here is a 35 minute taste. Here are some additional topics covered in the full Guild version:
- How sanding through veneer cost David a job.
- David’s thoughts on the exploding amount of woodworking content on the web.
- Would David rather be teaching, or perfecting his craft?
- David’s woodworking heroes.
- Tips for a young woodworker looking to land a job.
- And many more questions from the Guild members………
Want to see more from David Marks? Check these out:
David & Victoria Marks Interview
David Marks Shop Tour
David Marks Gallery Tour
David Marks Project in Progress
13 Responses to “A Guild Chat with David Marks”
I was not really aware of David Marks (must be that rock I’ve been living under), so it was very nice to be able to hear about David and some of his background. Quite an impressive woodworker.
Nice. David is a super knowledgeable guy, and is so willing to share that knowledge. I didn’t know that he’s in Santa Rosa, so now I’m going to hunt him down and look into classes, as I’m just on the other side of the Bay. :)
Also, I am pleasantly surprised that he explained an issue with my new frame saw in his explanation of band saw drift! I built a frame saw using a piece of band saw blade, and it doesn’t cut straight at all, drifting predictably to one side or the other depending upon whether I have the saw flipped around to cut on the push or the pull. I thought it was just me, but now I know that the set could be skewed to one side and I will look into a better blade.
It’s probably also me, but that’s a big aha moment.
Hi Kenneth, Thank you for your comments. Regarding your frame saw, it really is not you,it’s your bandsaw blade. Every bandsaw blade is unique in terms of drift angle. It is simply a matter of determining that drift angle and than compensating for it. Occasionally you will find a blade that does indeed cut straight.
We would welcome you to attend some of our classes here in Santa Rosa. They will be posted at our website soon at djmarks.com. Happy Holidays
David Marks
Thanks for the interview Marc- I always loved David’s Woodwork series.
Oh, if you are reading David – do you ship your DVDs downunder to Australia?
To Jeremy,
Yes we do ship our DVDs to the land down under Mate.
No worries. David
To David
Great news. I ordered 2xDVDs – there were no shipping costs?
Anyway, I assume you now have my email details if anything is amiss.
To Marc (and others)
Crikey. David J Marks called me MATE. Streuth, what a ripper! I’m tickled pink.
I have been a fan of David’s work since I first saw him on Woodworks.
Thanks for the interview Marc!!
After listening to it yesterday it gives you a very up close and personal experience.
Dear Santa,
This year all I want is Woodworks on DVD, I swear I’ve been really good! I used scraps for that one project, and I didn’t buy that new router bit even though I really wanted it, so I think I’ve been good enough for you to make those DVDs. Thank you!
Kevin
Hi Kevin
Believe it or not, I haven’t given up attempting to work out a deal with DIY to sell our plans with DVDs of Woodworks ( which they own all the rights to). It will take a while, the wheels turn slowly in that department, but maintain hope.
In the meantime,I am working towards making more educational DVDs. I’m working on one now about cutting dovetails on the bandsaw. Thanks for your appreciation.
David
Thanks for all of your hard work, all of your DVDs are great. And come back to Columbus Ohio! I can’t make any of the dates at Woodcraft this year, it sucks!
David,
That would be great to get the Woodworks collection on DVD. I hope you are able to work that out at some point. Or better yet, if another show comes knocking on your door……. I’m glad to hear you are open to the idea of doing another show.
For now, I’m looking forward to receiving your bandsaw dvd. I’m about to purchase a new 17″ bandsaw and the timing couldn’t be better for helping me through the setup.
Thank You both David and Mark. I really enjoyed the interview.
Mark’s new DVD looks promising if the brief excerpt on You Tube is any indication of the content.
Having done some vacuum pressing with commercially available veneers, it would be rewarding to make and use my own.
Man David you rock. You have reached so many by your own work and by in inspiring Marc to create this haven for us. The thing that amazes me is how humble you are, even after all you have done in your career you still seem like a buddy that you call up to trouble shoot back and forth or just get together to tune up handplanes and play around. That is the definition of a true woodworker, never loosing your sight on what is really important, the woodworking not the paycheck. I look forward to seeing more of you in my DVD collection. Keep up the great work.
Nate
Nate