An Overdue Recommendation – Charles Neil
As most of you know, I try to keep you updated on other popular blogs, websites and podcasters. But I think I dropped the ball on this one. You can’t type “woodworking” into YouTube without seeing this guy. I’m talking about the one and only, Charles Neil. Many of you have emailed me over the past few months telling me to check him out, and I did more than just watch his videos. I have had numerous conversations with Charles and his wife Sherri, and they are really great people. In fact, we are hoping to do some collaborative work this spring. That should be a blast.
While talking to Charles about woodworking and finishes I learned a little more about myself. It’s an important lesson that I thought I should share with you. As someone who teaches woodworking everyday, I have to make sure I never become complacent when it comes to my own woodworking education. It’s very important to me that I present myself as a lifelong student (a trick I learned from David Marks). And fortunately, there are times in conversing with other woodworkers that I notice a change in me. While talking to Charles, for instance, I observed myself making the shift from teacher, to student. 
And it really was a great feeling! As woodworkers, we absorb oodles of information over time, to the point where we think we know everything. But in reality, there are so many ways to accomplish a particular task, that we must remain open-minded if we want to learn. Personally, when I am in the “student” position, I try to temporarily throw out everything I think I know. Then, I listen to the instructor’s words and try to approach the lesson with a clean slate. Once I have the instructors complete message, I can let all my previous knowledge back in and make a judgment call about what I’ve learned. If you are one of those people who sits in a woodworking seminar constantly shaking your head and saying, “Oh no…..that’s not how you should do that….”, you may have already closed the door to learning. So, don’t do that. :)
So, with that said, head over to AntiquesBuiltDaily.com and see what you might be able to learn about yourself. :)
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Awesome Marc!!! I can’t wait to see a collaborative effort with yourself and Charles! He’s surely one of the most skilled craftsmen we have on the internet and pleasure to watch. I would give Charles 2 thumbs up!
Yea his videos have been on Youtube just about as long as TWW vids have been. Guy knows what he is talking about! My only complaint about his podcast and pretty much why I don’t watch it very often, is his video and sound quality of his videos kinda suck, even for Youtube standards. Although I haven’t watch recently maybe he got some better gear!
Hey Tim. I do know that Sherri is currently trying to get them set up with a decent wireless mic, and that should improve the sound dramatically. Good sound can make a huge difference.
Sweet!
Hey Marc,
I hear you. One never stops learning, it’s a lifelong process. I’m a firm believer in this. Humility is a nice virtue to have sometimes.
A motto I like to use below my signature is “Woodworker in Progress”
this says it all :)
Norman
Marc,
Nice to see Charles on our site. I love his videos. He comes across as just a nice guy, and he explains his work very nicely.
Looking forward to seeing you both together.
Keep up the good work.
Deb
I love his accent. It just makes watching him more enjoyable! He covers a lot on his vids, but there are so many to see, WOW.
What collaborative ventures do you have planned for ‘08!
Thanks
I love your sign. My motto is:
Fast
Cheap
Quality
Pick Two…
I like to learn from Charles but when watching his
videos, I get so fixated on his hair cut
(or should I say, hair uncut) that I completely
lose my train of thought and have to rewind and
play again.
Jim Lynde, North Hollywood, CA