I am in love with the Japanese art of Kintsugi or the celebration of imperfection by highlighting the cracks in ceramics with gold. We need more of this in our throw away world... #grownostr #artstr #art

Power tools… Which ones are the most important to buy? In the latest Fabricator’s Field Guide, I give my thoughts on the first 6 power tools to purchase and why. Cheers! #grownostr #diy #woodworking #tools The Only 6 Power Tools You Need to Master Woodworking | Essential Beginner's Guide

What is holding you back from learning a shop skill, whether woodworking or metal working? Tools? Knowledge? Someone to teach? Let me know!👇 #asknostr #grownostr #woodworking #metalworking

My frugal shop advice: Be strategic about where you spend… Corded instead of cordless, mid-range instead of premium, but never bottom-barrel quality. What's your strategy for building a tool collection? #grownostr #woodworking #tools #DIY

#grownostr #woodworking #diy #tools

The Skill Multiplier Effect: As your skills grow, the effectiveness of your tools multiplies—even basic ones. Where are you investing more: tool collection or skill development? One has a much higher ROI! #grownostr #woodworking #tools #diy #skills

Two-part epoxy: The woodworker's secret weapon that does WAY more than just glue! Outdoor projects, waterproofing, gap filling - this stuff is magic. Pro tip: Get a kit with different cure speeds for maximum flexibility. Have you ever used two-part epoxy? Let me know in the comments. #grownostr #woodworking #tools #diy

"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep." ~ Scott Adams, cartoonist #grownostr #quotes

Social media woodworkers make it look like you need a $25,000 shop to start. Truth, with just these 5 tools: - Bench-top table saw - Miter saw - Drill - Jigsaw - and random orbit sander You can build incredible projects while you save for the rest! #grownostr #woodworking #tools #diy

This is going to be a crisis… The lack of skilled trades people is going to be bad… AI will not help with this one. #grownostr #trades #diy

When I was a kid, I had Carlsbad Caverns in my toy box… Not the real one, but a sixties vintage souvenir. It was a plaster cast replica with a red window at top to cast a cool glow onto the stalagmites… I lost it, long ago. Over the weekend, we went to Carlsbad Caverns… And my wife found for me the exact souvenir. Very cool… BTW, they had red, green, and blue ones. I got the red! #grownostr #coffeechain #vacations

It seems to me… Starting a handyman business is one of the easiest and most practical ways for a young adult fresh out of high school to dive into entrepreneurship. The demand is there — especially from those who struggle to find trustworthy help, like the elderly. Build a solid reputation, invest in a few tools, and you’re off to the races. Low overhead. High demand. Infinite potential. #grownostr #diy #plebchain

That moment when your CHEAP tool gives up right in the middle of a crucial cut... we've all been there! After 30 years in woodworking, I've learned this lesson too many times. What project was derailed by a failing tool? #grownostr #woodworking #tools #DIY

When starting woodworking… There are many different decisions to make… One, is what machines to buy. In the latest Fabricator’s Field Guide, I give my thoughts on the first 5 woodworking machines to purchase and why. Cheers! #grownostr #diy #woodworking #tools 5 Must-Have Woodworking Machines for the Beginner Shop (+ The Money-Wasting Machine to Avoid)

The push to send everyone to college instead of learning a skilled trade wasn’t about better opportunities—it was about money. Apprenticeships and on-the-job training used to be the norm, allowing people to build skills while earning a living. But colleges saw a chance to cash in, convincing the public that a degree was the only path to success. The result? Mountains of student debt, a shortage of skilled workers, and industries struggling to find talent. It’s time to rethink the narrative. Skilled trades aren’t a backup plan—they’re a vital part of the economy. #grownostr #college #trades

What is your favorite tool brand? And why? Mine WAS Porter Cable… Then they went to crap! #grownostr #asknostr #tools #diy #woodworking

Bringing Back Practical Skills for Boys At the turn of the 20th century, boys were encouraged to work with their hands, learning woodworking, metalworking, and other practical skills that built confidence and self-reliance. These abilities weren’t just useful—they were respected. Fast forward to today, and hands-on skills are too often looked down on, replaced by screens and disposable culture. Trade skills are undervalued, even though they remain just as essential. These images from King’s Series in Woodwork and Carpentry (1911) by Charles A. King is a reminder of what we’ve lost. Maybe it’s time we start encouraging boys to build, create, and work with their hands again. #grownostr #coffeechain #DIY #woodworking

Just in case someone hasn’t told you… Don’t be afraid to try something new… And possibly fail at it. That’s what it means to truly learn. You got this! Cheers! #grownostr #quotes #plebchain

Workshop truth: The best tool is the one you'll actually use. Don't be ashamed of benchtop models when starting out - they take up less space, cost less, and still produce great results in skilled hands. #grownostr #woodworking #tools #diy

I have 30 years of experience in woodworking… and here's my take: Buy the best tools you can afford at the time. Expensive tools won't make you better at woodworking. Skills matter way more than fancy equipment. What's your go-to tool that's served you well? #grownostr #woodworking #tools #diy #asknostr