24 – David & Victoria Marks Interview

Video - August 5, 2007

Well here it is! The episode you’ve all been waiting for! Thats right, it’s the exclusive David Marks interview. Come join us on this emotional thrill ride into the life and times of David Marks. His hopes, his fears, and the darker side to woodworking for television will all be revealed. OK, so none of that is really true but it sure sounds good. We do, however, talk with David about his woodworking school, the Woodworks TV show, his humble beginnings, his inspiration, and even Victoria’s role in his career.

Check out DJMarks.com for more information on David’s classes, DVD’s, project plans, and metal leaf & patination kits.

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
A Guild Chat with David Marks

Discussion

Jeff August 5, 2007 6:34 pm

Marc, I can only hope that The Woodwhisperer website continues…I have learned much from it, believe it or not I now consider The Woodwhisperer, Woodworks,The New Yankee Workshop,and Fine Woodworking my main sources of info and inspiration.You seem to know your audience and know what to insert or leave out in your explanations of woodworking tasks.An example of what I mean was your info given on installing cup hinges on the shop cabinet you made a while back…This was the type of stuff often left out by others.I loved the interviews with Norm,Scott, and David. Do you think David will do any more Woodworks? How has Norm kept up with his workload for so many seasons? Thanks again,Jeff

Reply
thewoodwhisperer August 5, 2007 6:56 pm

Hey Jeff. I am honored to be held in such high regard. :)

No I do not think David will ever do more Woodworks, unfortunately. And not sure what the secret to Norm’s success. Determination and hard work I suppose.

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Mike Lingenfelter August 5, 2007 8:27 pm

Marc,

Thanks for that great interview. It had a lot of good information and showed a more personal side of David.

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PrettyMuchIRock/Taylor August 5, 2007 9:13 pm

So were you his apprentice in a way? Or did you just hang around his shop a lot?

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Vic August 5, 2007 9:15 pm

Marc (and Nicole), inspirational interview. Many great insights from a master. I’m particularly drawn to Marks style, as opposed to other woodworkers on TV. I’m glad the series helped his career and didn’t sour him on the whole woodworking process. Maybe in a few lifetimes I might achieve the expertise he displays. In the meantime, I’ll keep watching The Wood Whisperer and making sawdust!

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thewoodwhisperer August 5, 2007 9:18 pm

I use a loose interpretation of the word “apprentice”. It was quite short term really. But I learned a good portion of what I know from the man, be it in person or from Woodworks.

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muddler mike August 6, 2007 5:55 am

thanks Marc – I’d been chomping at the bit for this one :^)

Back when I started getting interested in making real furniture (not just 2×4 utility stuff) I had felt Norm’s projects were a bit out of reach for me. His shop and immense amount of tools seemed way out of my league, so I never really persued fine woodworking as I saw it through The NYW. Still, the woodworking bug was instilled in me from pre-teen years spending summer days in my grandfather’s small garage shop and it was hard to ignore. So, when my wife and I bought a house a couple of years ago, I started setting up a shop to satify the genetic need to make sawdust. It was then when I discovered Woodworks, apparently a year after David completed his last season. It was that show that drew me in, and made me think that I might be able to make something I’d be proud of someday. Although David’s shop rivals Norm’s, David gave the projects a very personal touch and made everything seem do-able, despite his obvious talent and extraordinary creativity and vision. Still, there’s only so much you can pack into 20 minutes, and there were a number of questions as to the processes and how to’s that weren’t answered. Then, you started up your podcasts last winter and many of those pieces of the puzzle are now being filled in.

So here I am, 39 years old and awe-struck by an average guy with incredible talent who happened to get a TV show because he still had all 10 fingers. And, thankful to another average guy with a great collection of T-shirts, an aptitude to teach, and the kind of experential knowlege that I need to learn to lessen the years of mistakes I was sure to make in my quest to create something with wood.

I guess I’m just trying to say thanks, great job on this one!

Mike

Reply
John August 6, 2007 7:05 am

Marc,
Great interview thanks, So far I have been on my own during the learning process and I gather all of my information from various sources. Originally books and tv shows like Davids were my main source but with the internet being the way it is It ha become an invaualble tool for learning and you are definatley at the forefront in the world of cyberwoodworking…. Keep it up :)

John

PS. I have a Bandsaw, I’m from NJ and I have a pretty blonde wife. Obviously a recepie for success…..

Reply
Paul Comi August 6, 2007 8:58 am

That was pretty inspiring. Thanks for doing the interview.

Also, what kind of music is he into playing?

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Hank August 6, 2007 3:57 pm

WOW!
What a GREAT interview! It did not seem improptu – it seemed well planned! I know you two are friends, and some of the interview was that way (two friends talking), but the insight – incredable!
I believe one thing form that interview – two guys with two GREAT wives! You both have wives that always back you up. and Victoria (no disrespect to Nicole) but how well spoken and obviously Mark’s devout partner.

Marc – keep up the GREAT work! Nicole – continue with your “out of this world” support of this fantastic teacher and artist.

Hank Merkle

Reply
Mike August 6, 2007 4:25 pm

I was fortunate enough to take a class from David at the LA Woodworking Show a couple of years ago. He really is very pasionate about his work and his enthusiasm is contagious. I’m honored to have met the man.

Thanks Marc & Nicole – and keep up the good work! You are giving us average saw-dust manufacturers some great advice while keeping the instructions informative and entertaining.

Mike

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Kevin August 7, 2007 7:47 am

Fantastic interview.
I love the comments about â

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Mike in St. Paul August 7, 2007 8:31 am

Marc –

Awesome interview! I love the relaxed style. It’s nice to be able to see him relax and here what he says in that setting and not the loud WHURR of the show! :-)

It was nice hearing from his wife, too. Seems like a lot of you fine craftsman are humble folks, so I like hearing the wife talk about the great stuff her husband does.

Nice work! Thanks for sharing that with us.

Mike

P.S. Did any part of you want to look at David and say in a Darth Vader voice, “Your powers are weak, old man. When last we met I was but the learner, now I am the master!”? :-P

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Frank August 7, 2007 9:15 am

Great interview. Thanks again for taking the time to put it all together.

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Eric August 7, 2007 2:47 pm

Great interview. The whole woodworking communtity owes you deeply. My BIL and I salivate at every Wood Works show we see. David is an incredible professional. Being able to meet the real David Marks and his charming wife through your interview is as good as it gets. Thanks Mark, keep up the good work! =)

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TJ August 7, 2007 3:32 pm

Excellent! Very refreshing to hear a master reminisce about early learning experiences and profess a lifetime of learning still in progress. Also refreshing to hear from the supportive spouse, both yours and Davids.

Very grateful for all your efforts!

Keep up the good work.

TJ

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Dan September 10, 2007 1:04 pm

Marc:
Need to invest in several wireless mikes. Us old geezers that are hard of hearing or pc speakers that aren’t up to it, struggle.

Dan

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Grant in North branch September 17, 2007 6:23 am

Wonderful.

Thank You!

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Steve November 21, 2007 6:07 pm

Will the Woodwork episodes ever be available on the web like your vids?

Reply
thewoodwhisperer November 21, 2007 6:17 pm

Hey Steve. If you go to the DIY Network website you can usually find small clips of the Woodworks shows. You can also download them from Amazon.com’s Unbox. Those are the only two sources I know of. THanks and take care.

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Ken Phillips March 14, 2008 10:35 am

I found your web site by accident. I was trying to find out if Marks was going to produce new episodes of Woodworks. My wife and I are big fans of the show. I have been able to convince her of the need for new tools just about every other episode. I’d use comments like” see I could make veneers like that if only I had a bigger band saw”. I really enjoyed the interview. I have been watching the show for years and always wondered if David was married and had children. It was nice to see the personal side. Thanks

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Nabil Makarem June 9, 2008 10:55 am

Great video thanks! David Marks has inspired people to work with wood all over the world!

Regards,

Nabil Makarem,
Lebanon

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David Ryder October 27, 2008 8:26 am

Dear Marc

I have been extremely distraut at not finding you on the DIY network for the last 2 weeks. I tape your shows and refer to them often.

My specialty has been to use re-claimed lumber and have many very nice projects. My biggest problem is to determine how to price my work and to find a sales outlet.

Any thoughts you can send my way will be appreciated.

Hope to see you again real soon

Dave

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Eugene H. O’Neill December 4, 2008 2:49 am

Dec. 4, 2008

I did not find Woodworks on my local DIY station. I emailed DIY. Scripps emailed me yesterday to mention that Woodworks is on hiatus. I’m to contact them mid-January.

From what I have read on this site, I gather David Marks is no longer doing the show??

Has anyone heard from David Marks directly about the future of Woodworks.

Regards,

Eugene H. O’Neill
Woodland Hills, CA

Reply
thewoodwhisperer December 4, 2008 8:50 am

I think its safe to say that Woodworks has no future on television……unfortunately.

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Tom October 31, 2011 1:41 pm

So, David and you both play drums?

How about a few details, please?

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Jay January 30, 2012 10:20 pm

I gotta say…I had to keep pausing, rewinding and playing for my wife. I’m making the transition from serious amateur to pro and finding commissions rolling in. Word of mouth is a great thing and my wife is helping to market the shop through co-workers and people she meets. BUT as much as I try to explain some of these topics to her and as much as she tries to understand it wasn’t until she saw this interview that she could feel she isn’t alone. We just celebrated our 5th anniversary a week or so ago and we’re moving into this new avenue of woodworking providing us income. Thanks for a great interview as well as documenting what it means to be a woodworker and the spouse of a woodworker.

Jay

PS. I have two bandsaws too Marc. Technically I have three, but the one is a metal cutting bandsaw so you have to tell me if it counts. In any case, I am hoping that means a successful relationship too. One of my wife’s favorite projects I did was on my old (from my great grandfather) late 1940’s Power King bandsaw. Perhaps the analogy to the relationship is that a bandsaw needs to be tuned, aligned, refined and reset (with a new sharp blade from time to time) just like a relationship. If that is not constantly done a bandsaw will drift out of alignment, tires crack, blades dull, guides wear or come out of true and a previously awesome performer will suddenly burn and buck. :)

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Keir Farnum March 7, 2012 12:54 am

5150 is also the California (probably in other states as well) police code for a psychiatric detainment. Whether VH borrowed the term from this, I don’t know. Just an FYI for those into arcane information. Thanks Mark for all the info and entertainment you provide.

Reply

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24 – David & Victoria Marks Interview

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