Becoming A YouTuber Killed My Love Of Woodworking

[@IBuildItScrapBin]

Happy Oct 22!

[@skigglystars9525]

You have given us so many projects, plans, ideas and inspiration over the years. If you never make another video for the rest of your life, there's enough in your bucket to sustain generations to come. I am very grateful for all you've done.

[@ios6605]

Hey John, I think you’ve had a amazing career and yes, you deserve to slow down,,,, put the brakes on and start enjoying life..

[@johnburnitin1027]

Anything you do as a job, is, well, a job. Takes all the fun out of things.

[@mingueyox]

Precisely

[@cpnotill9264]

So true....I create out of love and make one of a kind creations. No commissions.

[@JonPetersArtHome]

I get it John... I feel the same way.

[@daifeichu]

I can manage to screw things up just fine in my shop without the extra worry about having to film all the correct angles for a yt video.

[@janhedberg9316]

Understandable. Do what you do and we will accept what you give us. Thank you.

[@mrmoto7682]

Totally understand. Thank you for EVERYTHING!

[@cobberpete1]

I hope that most of us realise it is hard work and there are many parts to a project, like the planning, drawing, getting materials, combined 'Cutting', finishing and the videoing on top, followed by the editing. Who wouldn't get bogged down and lose enthusiasm. Slow down John. Drop to one video a month. I ( we) have been with you for years, It won't effect how we watch you

[@dakotamax2]

I'm glad you are still doing this, John. You're like an old friend I can lose contact with and reconnect without missing a beat.

[@julietphillips1991]

It's not depressing. You're only human. Life is such that you have got to find a balance so that nothing (and no one) becomes overwhelming. The important thing is that you love woodworking. The KZbin end of it is where the balancing part is up to you. Always do what is best for you and what makes you happy.

[@jameskillgo6644]

One of my favorite videos you made was changing the brakes on your Nissan and just being so frustrated you went and bought a minivan. Dig the content man.

[@mikeweit]

hey John just want to reiterate how important your content has been for someone younger than you, myself. I was lucky enough to have woodworking family members when i was younger(grandfather, and uncles), but there's a lot of younger people my age who weren't as fortunate to have anyone in our family who is gifted in the craft of woodworking. Your channel and your content is super valuable for us. I'm sorry if it isn't obvious, and while I'd love to blame the algorithm and youtube etc, the truth is the burden is on me. We don't do enough to make it obvious. Thank you for your hard work. It's not just your project content, it's the method, the mental state of mind you have approaching the good and the bad. The negative is important, arguably just as important. I now have a house (that the bank owns) at an insane mortgage rate, I'm saving wherever I can, DIY, etc. Your content has helped me so much in the last few years. Thank you.

[@gnusndn301]

You know what I would think the same way. I don't know how you guys do it. I'm just thankful you do. Thanks

[@iamkaioken]

Your channel has been one of a handful that I was always excited to see the project you were working on. Part of it was your story telling, approach and personality. The medium and skills being put to use were extra for me, as I'd always get to learn something I felt. And boy are you right, as time passes focus changes...enjoyment changes...goals change. Your raw and real approach has always been the biggest draw for me man.

[@Bryant5150]

Thank you for all the work you’ve put into this. I have learned so much from your videos and have been inspired. You are a very good teacher. I first took wood shop in the 7th grade (1983). I could only imagine if I could have had a teacher like you.

[@derwoodsdiy7710]

I could see this happening with my channel too. In a way i’m not mad I don’t actively video projects anymore. You were the catalyst for me even starting woodworking and I still do it everyday. You are the shit my guy!

[@baconsoda]

I think I appreciate your less frequent videos more than when I knew there would be one every week because there is added value in scarcity. When a new video is posted I get excited because I know I am going to see something worth watching and I will set aside a specified time when I can sit down, in peace, with no interruptions, and enjoy a mug of coffee while you do your thing. Just keep doing what you are doing as long as you are happy with it. Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@SavageJessman]

I have been watching for so long and I"m realizing this is my ADHD woodworking fix. Love you!

[@sebastiancaceres1053]

After the worldwide lockdown all the woodworking channels slow down their video production dramatically, something happened... I thought that makers wherent getting that many views and that was one of the main reasons. You are one of the best woodworker (for me at least) and very creative and funcional. I hope you keep uploading sometimes some stuff.

[@billstoner5559]

I’ve read a number of the comments and the general theme is that people watch your videos for you. It’s you personality, persona, what ever you want to call it, people like you. Ya, I enjoyed the big production woodworking projects but I like your audio channel as well. Watched all your house renovation videos, too. Even your rant 😊 channel. Why? Because I like you. You fall into a class of you-tubers that have big followings simply because you are easy listening. Don’t change a thing.

[@GregsGarage]

It seems like there's ALWAYS something that gets in the way of the real work we all want to do. For me it's the day job, for some it's family, for you it's creating videos that pay the bills... I see a lot of guys who have a shooting and editing crew. I'm certain that speeds them up so they can do things outside of YT.

[@IBuildItScrapBin]

It would make sense to hire some help if I were concentrating on growing, but I'm on the other side of that hill now. When you have people working for you, then you need to keep grinding to keep them busy and making enough to pay them. And that means jamming a sponsor into every video you put out, to the point where the reason you are making the video is for the ad for the sponsor.

[@GregsGarage]

@@IBuildItScrapBin Truth!

[@irakopilow9223]

John, you deserve the luxury of taking care of YOU. I must admit that I miss seeing your frequent videos, but I can appreciate youir desire to stop and smell the coffee (or cedar shavings). Your body of work is a great resource for techniques and an idea or two for projects. I can certainly appreciate quality over quantity. Seeing you go from an idea to a proof of concept to refining the design to a finished product. Though in the case of your many woodworking machine builds, the perfectionist in you seems to always find a way to make a design change to make it better. Whatever you do, I hope you continue to have fun with it. Kick back and listen to the music on your hand-built speakers.

[@johncolley7643]

I totally agree with your sentiment, I am a wood carver not worker, but when I take on a commission it becomes a job with a timetable not the hobby I love. That said thank you for paying forward on your acquired skills and inspiring ideas. 👏👏👏👏

[@HisWordsAreTruth]

My advice is to find editors. Maybe it's time to take that step. If you can design your shop in such a way that every piece of machinery is covered by a camera, or maybe several at different angles, then all you have to do is make sure you're recording when work is being completed. At the end of the day these vids can be sent to the editor, who can begin piecing things together. Voiceovers can be dubbed for projects. What usually stops people from doing this is their sense of perfection. Don't try to do everything yourself. It's a business at the end of the day. Sometimes it's better to hire competent people so you can focus on what you're good at. Good luck

[@fuzzy1dk]

I suspect John is far particular about what he wants, to give up that kind of control

[@HisWordsAreTruth]

Someone's bitter. I'm not christian though.@@theslipperytruth5676

[@paulhirst3548]

Being semiretired I can relate to things taking much longer to do. For me I now overthink and put too much time into planning. To be honest this may just be a way of hiding my procrastination on starting jobs. I cannot imagine the workload that youtube adds to your projects. I hope that your enjoyment of woodworking is rekindled as we all start hunkering down for the winter.

[@kennethnielsen3864]

Thanks for sharing.

[@yotamch767]

I love your stuff ... started following you with the wooden vise project . 😊 Will see your videos whenever you reales one..

[@nobuckle40]

As a content creator myself, I can see how it can be a real drag to do the thing you love. I can relate to the whole planning and editing thing. I think the pressure increases when you have sponsors or patrons that expect you to produce. My channel is small and I don't have to worry about such things. I'm free to post what I want, when I want.

[@seraphin_creates]

Thank you, I thought that was a very good and insightful video! Started to watch your channel around the time you did the wooden vise. I was around 15 then and being very inspired by your films and others I got pretty deep into woodworking. Although I studied, I was idealistic enough to spend the last two years apprenticing and working to become a journeyman carpenter. Now (at 25) I am feeling disillusioned about the trades, as I lost my job last week. There is little space for doing things more traditionally OR innovating. You get respect if you can do what the others do just faster but otherwise it's "we know best" and "don't ask, work".

[@kateristrobel2022]

from Coldwater MI Great seeing equipment from Harvey

[@skippylippy547]

I agree - the age thing - not having the energy we had when younger.

[@GeraldJensen]

I understand completely ... that's why I have resisted the temptation to do videos. I am a woodturner, and I teach woodturning at a local tech school, and do occasional demonstrations for woodturning clubs. A few years ago, I got into the craft show business, and I HATE it! The money is nice, but the time I spend generating inventory keeps me from doing the stuff I really enjoy doing in the shop. I retired 11 years ago because I was tired of the job, and didn't really want another job.

[@MCsCreations]

John, first of all, thanks a LOT for all the videos you've made this far! Second, a suggestion: perhaps you should contact someone to work with you. To record and edit the videos, while you focus on the woodworking itself. There are a few other youtubers who do that. And it seems to work fine for them... Of course, you won't put anyone there... It can't be someone annoying or something... But it's possible. Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@RYwoodview]

I hope you'll keep posting your WW videos, but only as you want you. Your enjoyment of the craft is what gives it meaning, to you and to viewers.

[@kreech68]

This was a very honest video. Thank you. The appeal of KZbin ad revenue is great, but there is real work behind it. As you said, filming, editing, B-roll, "cover shots", etc... If this excites you as much as the "theme" of the channel, then great. If it is JUST a chore, then it is another "job".

[@marcbarash6045]

Thanks John, always watch the rants

[@Mr_Rick]

John.... it was very interesting and appreciated to hear you bare your soul a bit like this. I've always felt that it must be about the joy in the journey in woodworking and if this changes perhaps it's time to remove the baggage. I hear what you are saying and have enjoyed what you have shared over the years. Get back to the joy you had yester year. That's what it's all about.

[@diYotamCh]

I can relate to what you are saying... I have lots of projects that I haven't started cause I am constantly thinking how I need to film this. So I need to tidy around then ask kids to be quiet and think of camera angles etc. Then I just leave it for later without filming or even doing the project.. 😮

[@deanaoxo]

The grind wears us down. I've learned so much from watching you, building your plans, but at 69, I get it. Be well, do your thing.

[@mrupholsteryman]

Kramer! That outro! I've stopped watching TV... that was funny! I'm where you are now....but without a channel that draws people in. I am present at the workplace...but have a plethora of projects that need done at home and they won't fix themselves... and also have a long commute.... Jesus did say we would have troubles in this world....yet He has overcome the world. He is my favorite Carpenter! SOME have claimed He made the cross He died on... It is only through Him that I have forgiveness of sin and eternal life. God's Only Son Permits Eternal Life! 😇🙏💪

[@NEEVAnurag]

Good to see that you came out with the truth which I always suspected. We learn from your journey.

[@industrialpalletworx3548]

I appreciate all the work that goes into it. I tried making videos and hated it. I hated the idea of setting up the camera checking the lighting, doing a little bit going back looking it over. It just ruined any fun of the work involved. In short being a KZbinr isn't for me. My appreciation of creators is a bit higher after trying to do it.

[@Take-the-Ticket]

I totally get it. I'm a web developer, I work for other companies mostly. I am very good and could make a LOT of money if I promoted myself as a freelancer instead of working by word of mouth between companies. I just hate all of the social stuff you have to do to market yourself. I love web development but not doing the extra steps to really "make it."

[@greglamphier4430]

Hope you find your groove again sir… you’ve been an inspiration and resource for myself and probably millions of people.. pretty cool if you stop and think about it.. can’t really relate but can appreciate 👊🏻

[@FearsomeWarrior]

Gonna go crank up Smashing Pumpkins - Bullet with Butterfly Wings. Feels very appropriate.

[@gsilcoful]

When you get bogged down, shift gears for a minute. Remember the pancake video? Wasn't there a pancake video a while ago? That was cool.

[@tjacksonwoodworker3726]

You need some R and R.. comedown to my place and we can do some woodworking..

[@gregbenwell6173]

John.....I Asked this very question HERE ON YOUR CHANNEL a few years back now, which was "What do you do when you "run out of things to build??"! And to this date, I never actually got an answer from my post!! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE all the work you guys all do, like you, Izzy Swan, Steve Ramsey, Matthais Wandel, April Wilkerson and others, MANY OTHERS!! BUT how many tables, chairs, cabinets, bookcases and spice racks can you actually make, BEFORE you simply "run out of things to make?"!!!! And don't get me wrong, I TRULY love the content, in pretty much anything you post!! BUT my experiences, my "work" around my house, is never limited to just wood working!! Yeah I have built the computer desks, the bookcase and the spice rack cabinet on steroids!! I have built additions on my shed out of pallets, at took scrap deck material and built a totally different deck out of it!!! BUT my point is, I have also built a number of computers, designed and built my own under the cabinet lighting system and rebuilt the front of a deer damaged 2010 Toyota Camry as well!! So my knowledge base IS NOT limited to wood working, and generally I have done a lot of work under a lot of different hats so to speak!!! And there is always something that is broke that needs to be replaced, repaired or salvage to make something else in my life!!! I started watching channels like yours for the "homemade shop tools", because like everybody else, I don't have money to buy a ton of tools and then my space in my shop IS pretty limited!! And even then at times I still don't have the money I need to buy parts AND I never seem to know WHERE to get the things you guys get like Bearings for band saw wheels and so on!!! I still don't know where to source many parts I need and I am still without a band saw to this day!! I enjoyed watching your build though and it was pretty amazing!!

[@JohnDoe-rb6yj]

Sounds like you need to hire someone to take care of the filming and editing

[@mrtrader4628]

I think you should somehow become a teacher on KZbin making a whole class online. I feel that you would be a good person to show a real view of your skills. Darren in TX

[@johnmeissner8715]

Striving for perfection is rarely easy. That doesn't necessarily mean that the love wanes in the process.

[@johnmeissner8715]

It's all perspective. One could view it as an enhancement to the love of woodworking.

[@Skylyned]

You're always so excited, though.

[@KipdoesStuff]

hundreds of clips in folders waiting for editing. no desire.

[@ianhelsbyservices]

I feel your pain. I started a project in January, recording the build for a YT video. The videos filled the memory card so the project stopped until I got around to editing the clips. Project still waiting to be finished.

[@msessa7054]

That is a surprisingly good track list on the steely dan best of but there are so many good deep tracks I listen to everything from the first era except katy lied pretty regularly.

[@Vikingwerk]

Doing youtube for a living seems like it sucks the fun out of *anything* Lots of creators burn out chasing the algorithm dragon. In my opinion, a lot of emphasis is put on ‘production value’ when in reality, most of my favorite channels use time lapse ‘over the whole shop’ views, a ‘over the bench’ view, and just cut them together as needed, without fancy lighting and elaborate setups. Seeing someone create something cool, at their own pace, and just letting us be the ‘fly on the wall’ is something I love. Of course, this probably does not feed the algorithm, so if you’re trying to do this for a living, that’s trouble; but if you’re not needing to make a living at it, just let us sit in the corner on a tripod and watch you enjoy woodworking, without the pressure.

[@Gunbudder]

i use to love programming and i would constantly write programs and little games and all that until i started doing it for a living. i didn't grow to hate programming, but i can't do it outside work now unless its something really insane that has nothing to do with my work. even then, i still got extremely burned out and had to take a lot of time off

[@samking4179]

love the Seinfeld at the end!!!

[@l.eilander8249]

Love the scrapbin contents as usual. Would love to see what braindumps would happen if we could get you on the new twitter!!!

[@johnmeissner8715]

You're gonna be OK, John. 😉

[@GWAIHIRKV]

Have you thought about getting help with your boring bits? The extra videos would cover the cost and you get to spend more time on the good bits.

[@dew-drop]

John, you precisely described the reason KZbin sucks now. You are a woodworker, you worked in the trades, you have actual skill. KZbin came along at some point during your actual working career and you started posting wood working related videos based on what you were doing. Today, people start off by making a KZbin channel and focusing on creating CONTENT for the channel. Content that stays in lines with whatever arbitrary lines the KZbin algorithm decides to draw this week. As a result we get 1000x channels with the same milquetoast material, clickbait, or just absolute shit all around, but it works because it’s what the algorithm requires. KZbin has tanked from an 8/10 to a 2/10 in two years because of these changes. They are now trying to get people to uninstall adblockers. Absolutely crazy, as if that’s going to get more eyes on this mountain of garbage content. I have mostly stopped using KZbin entirely despite being here since 2007.

[@jimthesoundman8641]

This is like Bill Gates saying "Making all that money killed my love of computers" LOL

[@robhunt9055]

Hi John, I'm a fan of your work! Years ago when I did my degree in photography, there was an older guy who was in our cohort who was a Potter, and when asked if he would ever become a professional photographer, as he was very talented, he said that he would never become a professional photographer, as he loved photography as his hobby, and for relaxation, and that he used to feel the same about pottery; until he made it his full-time job, and then he said that the fun went out of it, which was sad, but true. With this in mind I made a conscious decision to avoid being a professional photographer myself, and that way I kept my hobby as something that I could do to relax, and not feel the pressure to produce, to have output, and deadlines! Once again, many thanks and kind regards Rob 😀👍 🇳🇿

[@11Carrera-k1g]

The best benifit of woodworking is getting lost in the work...so your point of view is understandable.

[@ogatkinson6274]

The love of money always does it.

[@johncware66]

love your content, you are one of my favs. I would imagine you are at a point where you videos generate at least some minimum amount of revenue that is substantial / worthwhile, with potential upside for those that become hits. And that you worked for the starting years for far far less financial reward as you were establishing your youtube channel and presence, audience, subscribers, etc. dreaming of the day when you would get here, if it was even within your dreams. Ndissatisfied

[@jbkibs]

every hobby that becomes a job kills your love for it.

[@johnmeissner8715]

heh! When did a job become a negative thing?

[@jbkibs]

@@johnmeissner8715 a job isn't a negative thing. a job is something you to do provide for yourself and family. a hobby is something to get away from jobs. it's something you do on YOUR terms. once your hobby becomes a job, it's not a hobby anymore. you HAVE to do it to provide for yourself. i did this with coding. it was my hobby for decades. then i made something that sold, worked for the company i sold it to, then it became no fun after awhile because of demands that aren't on your terms. you become a slave to your clients even if you work for yourself.

[@IBuildItScrapBin]

The hobby didn't become the job. Making videos to show me doing the hobby became the job.

[@jbkibs]

@@IBuildItScrapBin yeah, i get that too. that is extra stuff distracting you from your hobby. i was mainly speaking from my experience. i coded as a hobby, then it became my job. it used to distract me from my stresses then became my stress... this is the same for music and the band i was in. it was fun at first until it became so demanding and having to deal with places not paying, or double booking, etc... it became stressful instead of relaxing.

[@martinsvensson6884]

Forcing yourself to do stuff you dont really want often leads to burn out in the long run.

[@NorthernMNWRD]

It is a choice. Have a job and a woodworking hobby or have a woodworking job. Or have a woodworking KZbin and expect to have it pay like a job.

[@themeat5053]

I can see that, but that's why you get payed the big bucks.

[@TokyoCraftsman]

If it was fun, we wouldn’t call it work.

[@chriskeeble]

This new trend of KZbinrs moaning about being KZbinrs because it's a bit too much like work..... yawn.

[@jason-ge5nr]

you make a life out of biting the hand that feeds you, and complain when the food is gone.