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The economic problem wasn’t isolated, the 
solution was... By George at Woodjig.com

Grasping manufacturing concepts has always been a challenge. Now have robotics, CAD design, lean and even rapid manufacturing. Much of these new processes needlessly cause newcomers especially students to step back and say "it a lot to know." But it is not that complicated. Automation, at least the basic process begins with a passion, certain a basic knowledge of some machines, how to organized a shop and clear goals, but most of all understanding the basic duplication concepts. Many of these "abundance/surplus" concepts have been around for centuries resulting from the need for an economic surplus, and these originate from the desire for economic security. 

When we communicate automation concepts we scare people, but when we get the point across that we only need to grasp the basics, we give a glimpse of what is possible. All that some people need is insight about to how basic the requirements really are to automate. In fact, the average person with a few machines on his premises can build jigs relatively cost free, and then produce products which can be sold at fairs and holiday events. The basics soon develop into more openings and more ways to cut down waste, become efficient and soon, we have someone making all sorts of boxes, shipping crates, furniture and a variety of profitable products from inexpensive hobbyist machinery. 

Ok, now he’s talking about having a business. No, not really. The problem is, most of our descriptions of automating a woodshop turn out looking like false hopes, or misleading....Explain.

Most editorials about tools are geared towards only making one desk, one oak table, or one thing from a woodworking plan. Making more in volume is where the next level resides, and the economist really takes a peek at the quantity, sales, and purchases and says "They found a niche, a method to manufacture." It is the hobbyist in motion, one discovering and advancing that keeps the industry, beginning with the craft and hobby media afloat. Yet all of the books and all of the edits result in stories that are cautious. They are cautious for good reason. They are careful to recommend a woodworking plan, or tool, and not about recommending a business bend to their readers craft or hobby. 

In other words, the traditional world media realizes that turning many hobbies, or woodworking into a business is expensive, especially if you have to buy your own tools and hardwoods. They rarely mention the "Biz" word, because most people (or those with a benevolent uncle) may need to try very hard keeping and enjoying their current job, and not willy nilly shoot for high volume and mislead about business. 

The next link in the loop is numerous agencies, non-profits, and specifically the SBA, who recommends carefully, that everyone pursue a business slant. They would encourage a method, or an accountable system of uniformity, duplication and delivery...carefully, and methodically. They would suggest that woodworkers test the waters, each according to his financial ability and especially suggesting a proven knowledge of what business demands and how it can provide mistake free delivery.  

I have seen a few tool retailers go out of business for lack of productive enterprise....

The majority of people who own machines, even trade schools become what is called a "Hobbyhorse crafter" bouncing from one unfinished pursuit, never settling into, or even becoming familiar with a system of automation or replication. America is unlike most foreign countries in that we have a surplus of machinery and information, but a drought of basic automation clarity. Knowing more about jigs and about automation would eventually spark a huge demand for supplies, new machinery, and a flood of automation related hardware from tool suppliers. First, those secluded and insulated from duplication techniques need to make a clear connection. Ask a woodworker, and you will likely find out that most woodworkers either never use their machines, or they fumble through custom, one at a time projects over and over, often abandoning their goals. 

"It takes years of thinking and reflection to discover some things, especially the perils of guarding every technique, or discouraging open discussion, critique, feedback and an exchange which develops certain organizations. Recently MG motors, (and numerous other manufacturers)having enormous technical processes held privy since there inception were sold to China (and in MG’s case) along with much of it’s technical people no doubt. These are the things that keep politicians and tool suppliers running for help. 

A drought of enthusiasm....

The actual skills required building jigs and fixtures have been neglected, trapped in a vacuum and utilized only by a few attracted to the principles and concepts of duplication. Many times these principles and skills are trapped within or shared within family generations, or within the old "inherited" manufacturing circles who will naturally educate too few, insulating the unique skills often to only one or two key individuals. This drought of knowledge and enthusiasm about basic automation, organization, and mistake-proofing techniques can only present a scarcity of skills. This "shall we encourage open discussion" or not, duels with the economy, worries or worse the tool suppliers, even restrains future economic growth. We can't isolate this knowledge and not expect our manufacturing and tax base to wither. It needs to be encouraged and fostered, not conditionally isolated from the remainder, or entrusted only to a few privy people. 

I have worked in numerous production plants, and visited woodworking shops, and I can attest that merely a few know, or even have the ability to explain secondary operations requiring jigs and fixtures for example. Most don't know much about toggle clamps, air cylinders, and "stock parts for jigs" for example. These are the operations done isolated from production, many times in other divisions which involve the final operations, the tapping, welding, drilling, assembling and riveting of the production made parts. In woodworking these secondary operations might be drilling, assembling, gluing, and all with the use of jigs and fixtures. The majority can produce a part, but because of various reasons only another few know what to do to complete the processes required for a mass produced, quality built finished product. 

I have written a book, which is a story about an Old Man, injured in a snowstorm and about to retire. He is responsible for his friends care, and he is successful trying to communicate to his nephew the vital, basic skills needed to go beyond plain woodworking. He needs to teach him secondary operations, about jigs, and the details of business in order to continue to produce their chairs on a high volume scale. In the process, he teaches Northirst County enthusiasts how to profit from similar concepts. His actions are brought to the attention of the local Mayor and he becomes a symbolic figure in the community. Industry is then restored, taxes get paid, homes saved, roads repaired. The Old Man Zack shows his methods to the locals, and to his Nephew from the city, and the whole county regains there enthusiasm and many jobs too. 

Students need to read things that aren’t so institutionalized, things which express vital clarity about the real challenges they confront: Real life situations that relate to their interests with the crafts and with machines. Just basic skills with a machine are not enough. Being mis-guided about the link between woodworking and a long, thought out business may be too early. The balancing act begins with enthusiasm and a solid explanation of things required. In any business, whether leading a new one, or leading others through and old one, people need to know the things they might confront. 

That knowledge and confidence helps drive all to hone their skills, even to be more efficient, more disciplined and become more competent. That helps all to face any obscure challenges of enterprise. We all experience it, a natural tendency to harbor every insight or technique to have a secure advantage. But, as we have all seen, it’s not the lonesome advantage that the world needs. The world needs the coaxing for perfection in automation, the reduction of waste, and more familiarity with what machines are defined as. When it is looked at by a mathematician, holding onto ever tacit talent before long results in a scarcity of knowledge and progress, and an increase in wasted time, materials, and energy. 

It has always been a matter of opinion. Guarding all the key issues required to keep an advantage is one thing. But guarding the methods, the talents to prevent waste, to save more energy and to lead to be more efficient and make better things is another. Always harboring or guarding access to certain talents for individual advantage has always been the norm, and again; a matter of amendment, a matter of opinion. There is so much to know. Henry Ford, once he discovered how sophisticated and extensive the requirements are to produce things, once mentioned about how he "doesn’t know 1/10th of one percent of what is needed to know" One additional note. Automation, having a system, and reaching profitable volume, and its discussion, including its advancement has rarely been a thought out issue. Especially because of any misinformation about what extensities a new business requires, and what risk or success it delivers. When making things from wood, the road to automation, efficiency and waste saving machines and processes begins with the discussion, and clarity about automation, efficiency, and waste saving machines.

New book...What's a jigmaker do?