Steve Carmichael a woodworker and youtuber that makes some very inspiring but more importantly fun videos and projects. He has inspired many including us here at Wacky Wood Works.
Visit his website: www.thecarmichaelworkshop.com
Interview
Intro
I’m Steve Carmichael and I make fun woodworking projects on my wife’s side of the garage in Atlanta, Georgia. I have a YouTube Channel called The Carmichael Workshop where I’ve been sharing woodworking videos for about 2 ½ years. I like to make fun projects that are quick, easy, and accessible to a broad group of woodworkers.
How long have you been woodworking?
I’ve been woodworking since I was a kid, over 30 years. My father was always fixing or building something around the house, so I learned a lot from watching him. He gave me a Handy Andy tool kit which had basic child-sized tools to get me started. It sure was difficult cutting wood with what was basically a toy saw. Eventually he showed me how to use a jig saw, a small bandsaw, and other hand held power tools.
Can you remember your first project and what it was?
The first project that I can remember making is a small model of a log cabin. I used dowels for the logs and plywood for the foundation and roof. I still have it. My grandparents lived in a log cabin, so that’s probably where the idea came from. Looking at it now, it looks more like a seven layer s’ more you would make at a campfire. I’m glad my mom kept it all these years.
What made you decide to start producing online content? (blog or video)
There was a chain of events at the beginning of 2012 that led me to start making woodworking videos. In January of 2012, my father died of Alzheimer’s. While helping my mother go through his things, she told me to take any of his tools that I needed. I brought home the tools that would add to the shop that I already started. This opened up some new possibilities as far as projects I could make.
I had already been listening to woodworking podcasts and watching other YouTube woodworkers like Marc Spagnuolo, Matt Vanderlist, Laney Shaughnessy, and Steve Ramsey. So they were my influences that sparked the thought that I could make videos too. I also grew up watching Norm Abram on the New Yankee Workshop.
After seeing my father’s memory and vast how-to knowledge fade away, I thought making videos would be a good way for me to document what I know and share it with my family and friends. I had no idea that other people would want to watch me make things too. I have some of my father’s projects and I keep thinking that it would be so cool if I could watch a video of my dad making them. Maybe 100 years from now, my great great great grandchildren will have my projects and be able to watch the videos of me making them.
What was your first video project?
In the Summer of 2012, the first Whirligig Wars contest was held and I decided to make a KISS Whirligig and enter it at the last minute. To enter the contest, you had to make a video. I ended up winning first place and it was that experience gave me the confidence and kick start I needed to start my own channel. Thanks to Laney and Steve for hosting that contest!
Do you only do woodworking or do you work with any other materials?
I mainly do woodworking and I like the majority of each project to be wood. I do like to incorporate other materials as accents if it makes sense. For example, I used metal hairpin table legs on a 1950’s style Record Player Stand for that mid-century modern look. I would like to try metal work and welding sometime to see how I like it. I have turned a few acrylic pens before and they looked great, but I missed the satisfaction I get from using wood. There is something about making things out of wood that appeals to me – the smell, the feel, the look, and just knowing it was once a tree that took a long time to grow.
What is your favorite project you have made so far?
Each project is like an individual child to me so it’s hard to pick a favorite. They are all special for different reasons. If I had to pick one, it would be my 2×4 Acoustic Telecaster Guitar. A guitar has always been on my bucket list, but seemed out of reach due to its complexity. I made it for a 2×4 contest which required me to strip it down to just the basics to make it work, since I could only use one 8-foot 2×4. This project also combined my love for playing musical instruments and woodworking, which made the project even more enjoyable. I still can’t believe I was able to build a guitar from a regular 2×4, and it sounds good and stays in tune!
Do you have a favorite tool, if so what is it?
My favorite tool is definitely the bandsaw. It’s the first power tool my father let me use, after the handheld jig saw. I like the freedom it gives me to cut in any direction, which inspires me to add curves and make more artistic projects. The bandsaw jewelry box that I made for my daughter is a good example. Lots of people have used my pattern to make those. I also like the scrollsaw for the same reasons, but my old saw has limitations like using pin blades and a 13” capacity that restrict what I can do with it.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
It comes from many places depending on the project. Sometimes I make something just because I need it, and I usually try to make something before I buy it. Usually I come up with a project I want to make, then I search Google Images to see what’s out there already. I try to add my own spin to make the project different and unique. If I’m making a gift for someone, I like to snoop around and see what they might like by looking at their Facebook photos, etc. As far as making videos, I’m inspired by my viewers who comment and give me feedback.
What advice would you give someone that may want to start making things?
Start with a project that incorporates one of your hobbies or passions. Do a small project that you can complete in a day with tools you already have. You will most likely be able to finish a project if you are excited about it and can easily get it done without spending a lot of money or time preparing for it. It’s important to have that first success to motivate you and have the confidence to make more stuff.
Anything else you want to add…?
Thank you for the opportunity to be featured on your website. Our online woodworking community is amazing and everyone is so very supportive of each other. Being able to share woodworking projects and have conversations with people all across the world has been a life-changing experience for me. I never thought that people would be interested in my goofy projects, but it turns out that’s what they like about them. More projects are coming soon!
Wacky Wood Works would like to thank Steve from The Carmichael Workshop for his time for doing this interview. We hope it will inspire others to just get out to their shop and make something.
Regards
Nighthawk
All photo’s on this page are the property of The Carmichael and Wacky Wood Works has written permission to use them exclusively for this interview.
