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This Old House: The Rare Home-Improvement Show That Spotlights Skilled Workers

theatlantic.com

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Re: This Old House: The Rare Home-Improvement Show That Spotlights Skilled Workers

#51

Post by ChuckMcM »

Townley wrote: post #11

The intellectual successor to This Old House's take on the entertainment potential of skilled craftsmanship probably isn't drama-filled reality TV, but rather YouTube channels like that of Paul Sellers. My drama-detesting father-in-law and his grandchildren watch those videos all day long to appreciate the craftsmanship, learning opportunities, and creativity of final products. I don't feel particularly concerned by…

Agreed that there are some real gems on Youtube. What is more, the various presentations work for different people, so finding someone who can explain the process to you in a way you understand is more manageable.

I think the subtext of the article which is that skilled tradespeople are to be admired just as much as skilled professionals (doctors, lawyers, Etc.) is sometimes overlooked.

For young people, especially those who have been told that a STEM job is the only job you can excel at and get respect, this message needs to be surfaced more often. You can be respected and in demand and well paid by mastering a skill that takes practice and experience. You don't need an expensive college degree, you just need a solid mentor.

Re: This Old House: The Rare Home-Improvement Show That Spotlights Skilled Workers

#52

Post by nkrisc »

abakker wrote: post #15
Townley wrote: post #11

The intellectual successor to This Old House's take on the entertainment potential of skilled craftsmanship probably isn't drama-filled reality TV, but rather YouTube channels like that of Paul Sellers. My drama-detesting father-in-law and his grandchildren watch those videos all day long to appreciate the craftsmanship, learning opportunities, and creativity of final products. I don't feel particularly concerned by…

Agree so much with this. Frank Howarth, Abom79, This Old Tony, Welding Tips and Tricks, Jimmy DiResta, Stumpy Nubs, Stefan Gotteswinter - there's so much great content like this on youtube. TV was never a great place for craft because it has to serve a general audience. Youtube has so much niche specific content with pretty great production values.

I'll add to this Ishitani Furniture. It's not quite informative like many of the others you mentioned as there is no narration or exposition, it's a little more artistic in that you simply admire a skilled craftsman performing his craft from start to finish.

Re: This Old House: The Rare Home-Improvement Show That Spotlights Skilled Workers

#53

Post by davidblair »

falcolas wrote: post #9

There's a YouTube channel that I feel espouses the values set forth by "This Old House" - and is as much fun to watch: Essential Craftsman I grew up on This Old House, and I relax to Essential Craftsman today. I hope someone else can find it as much fun as I do.

Essential Craftsman is fantastic. For anyone who doesn't know, the concept is that he is building a spec house and walking you through every step of the process, from surveying the site, to getting permits, all the way through building it.

It's going to take him a long time, but anyone who wants to catch up he has a playlist of the first 32 episodes at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRZePj70B4IwyNn1ABhJW...

Re: This Old House: The Rare Home-Improvement Show That Spotlights Skilled Workers

#55

Post by peatmoss »

evandev wrote: post #46
Townley wrote: post #11

The intellectual successor to This Old House's take on the entertainment potential of skilled craftsmanship probably isn't drama-filled reality TV, but rather YouTube channels like that of Paul Sellers. My drama-detesting father-in-law and his grandchildren watch those videos all day long to appreciate the craftsmanship, learning opportunities, and creativity of final products. I don't feel particularly concerned by…

Don't forget that Roy Underhill in the Woodwright's Shop on PBS is also an intellectual predecessor to people like Paul Sellers.

Oh my goodness, if there was ever a reason to donate monthly to PBS, it’s for the old episodes of the Woodwright’s shop on their “PBS Passport” service.

That show, apart from being educational, is gentle and warm in the same was that the late great Bob Ross makes people feel from his show. It’s salve for the soul.

Re: This Old House: The Rare Home-Improvement Show That Spotlights Skilled Workers

#56

Post by EADGBE »

selimthegrim wrote: post #41
skookumchuck wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Try "Detroit Muscle", "Truck Tech" and "Extreme Off Road". They show how to customize/restore cars without any drama. Just straightforward exposition.

Vaguely remember an Orange County Choppers episode taking gratuitous potshots at Intel

OCC was definitely dramatized. The parent comment's suggestions though are indeed TOH-style mechanic shows.

Re: This Old House: The Rare Home-Improvement Show That Spotlights Skilled Workers

#57

Post by tux1968 »

scrooched_moose wrote: post #42

As an aspiring woodworker and handyman, I just want to suggest This Old House Insider [1] The subscription gives you access to the entire This Old House and Ask This Old House library. They're in the process of adding all New Yankee Workshop episodes as well as PDF plans of those projects (normally $14.99 each). It's become my Sunday morning go-to now. 1) https://www.thisoldhouse.com/introducing-this-old-house-insi..…

This looks really interesting. However they don't seem to list any prices without you first giving them all your personal contact information. Would you mind sharing the price?

Re: This Old House: The Rare Home-Improvement Show That Spotlights Skilled Workers

#58

Post by EADGBE »

cardiffspaceman wrote: post #34
jccalhoun wrote: post #23

I still watch the show and as I'm closing on my first house this week I am more dedicated to watching it. However, for a long time they have done these super expensive houses with cutting edge techniques that don't really reflect the homes of most homeowners or the techniques available to most (the current house is a midcentury modern house with EIGHT different sets of stairs.) They have recently done more modest hom…

You will have noticed that the "B story" during the midcentury modern project is other projects they did in old episodes. The unrealistic element in TOH is possibly down to sponsors or donations. One house will be done with cast-off-site foundation walls and another house will be done with poured-in-place foundation walls and it is not clear why. I watch the show religiously obviously.

> The unrealistic element in TOH is possibly down to sponsors or donations

Or budget.

How does This Old House select project houses?

This Old House chooses two projects each season.

The fall project is usually located in or around our base of Boston, so that the crew can stay close to home for a significant part of the season.

The winter project is generally located in a mild climate where outdoor work may be undertaken during the winter months.

The renovations are completely funded by the homeowners and not by This Old House, though the show arranges for product discounts and donations where possible. All donated items are considered gifts and the homeowners pay taxes on them.

Re: This Old House: The Rare Home-Improvement Show That Spotlights Skilled Workers

#59

Post by hinkley »

zachrose wrote: post #35
paddy_m wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wow you named almost every channel I pay attention to. I would add Matt Cremona, AvE, NYCCNC and April Wilkerson. I listen to the Welding Tips and Tricks podcast that features a 60 year old from Alabama (Hi It's Jody from Welding Tips and Tricks) talking to two guys in rural Ohio. They regularly mention how Instagram in particular has encouraged friendly competition amongst welders. Whereas previously a great welder…

Project Binky, from Bad Obsession Motorsport Two rally car fabricators and lifelong friends in Shropshire who, over the last five years, have been fitting an AWD turbo Celica into the rusted out shell of an old Mini, while adding an air conditioner and a stereo. The craft and attention to detail are absurd.

I’m sure there are perfectly good reasons having to do with logistics, but I find it hilarious that they put the sound system in before they had the radiators built.

Doing the important work first :)

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