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What Keeps You Coming Back?

20K views 93 replies 40 participants last post by  JFPNCM 
#1 ·


How did you find Router Forums and what is it that keeps you coming back?
 
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#2 ·
I've been visiting this forum for a Long Time. I think the thing that keeps me coming back is the 'family' atmosphere of this forum, and many of the friends I have made over the years. As someone who travels a lot for a living, it is a fun place to check back in and see what others are working on while I can't be playing in my shop.

As I have mentioned in other threads, there are generous members who have shared pieces of their work or tools with me, and I with them. I don't know if that sort of thing happens on a lot of other forums, but I think it fits well with the community nature of this forum.

We have some master wood workers here, a lot of wood butchers, and those just starting off, yet everyone feels free to share what they have learned along the way. Rarely does someone come across as a know-it-all; on the contrary some of our best woodworkers are the most humble teachers.

Over the many years there have been many great contributors, and strong forum members. As they have moved or passed on, others have been able to step in and fill their shoes to keep the community informative and engaging.

I regularly email active and former members off of the forum, and enjoy the extension of the relationships that have started here.

Hopefully this forum will continue to be a fun, informative, and casual setting for folks to come and share for another 10 years.
 
#3 ·
This is the most polite forum I have found, and the members go out of their way to answer questions, share their expertise, and provide encouragement. The continual banter is fun and the fact that even when we disagree no one gets ugly is refreshing.

I keep coming back because I continue to learn new techniques and get new ideas from the other members. I've made "pen pal" friends with some forum members and enjoy sharing our common interests and exchanging ideas about on-going projects. The forum is an important part of my woodworking enjoyment and a place to share what I do with someone other than a family member. I'm glad I found it, but I don't remember how.
 
#4 ·
If I remember correctly a Google search listed a post on this forum among the hits so I had a look. I immediately recognized Bob and Rick Rosendahl from PBS so I had a look around and was impressed with the level of woodworking knowledge being exchanged. I was hooked from that moment on. I have learned lots of neat solutions to common problems while here and plus being impressed with the quality of people that this site attracts.
 
#7 ·
originally it was by invite from another member...
Chuck, Ollie and Doug have said it all about what I saw in the people here...
 
#8 ·
When I first joined it was for the education...then I got hooked on the atmosphere, honesty, willingness to help, the attention given to providing the right level of assistance, the overall feeling of being welcome, the desire to contribute back...I could go on forever.

I can only repeat what has been posted already so I'll stop now...

I just love it here...quite a bit different from other forums...
 
#9 ·
Well Cricket, I was on the lumberjocks forum via a Google search. I clicked on a link and ended up here. Serendipity. I keep coming back because it feeds my hunger for router/woodworking knowledge. It is also gratifying to be able to share what little I know with others (whether it actually helps them or not).

I appreciate and enjoy this community as I do my family, neighbors and friends. I simply love the creative jesting and humor (humour for my friends outside the U.S.). I can no longer surf the internet or check my email without stopping by to see what new has been posted and jest with friends. I thank God for this forum as I live most of my life lying in bed and this forum serves as an entertaining outlet for me.

Cheers!!! :)
 
#13 ·
Hi Cricket, I haven't had much experience with computers or forums until the past few years & am so glad I found Router Forums. A more friendly,helpful & knowledgeable bunch of people would be hard to find & I learn something new every day.Other members have already "said it all" so all I can say is I found it on Google.James.jj777746
 
#14 ·
Those who have already spoken are more eloquent than I, but here goes anyway . . . . There's just something about the friendly, helpful attitude of the people here. Look at how many people go to the trouble to post pictures or do research to help solve someone else's problem. We may argue a bit about the unmentionable topics, but I've never seen a fight about which machine or technique is "better", or personal put-downs. We're all respectful of others' opinions even when they differ from our own.
 
#15 ·
I watched The Router Workshop whenever I could find it on the local PBS station and was amazed at the possibilities of such a simple tool.
Then, when it was no longer broadcast I sort of forgot about it, until.............. I searched for any "rogue" videos on the web, which led me here. To the most friendly, informative and well run forum on the web.
I will say that I frequent other forums as well but, here, I consider all the other members as friends.
 
#16 ·
I came to the site because I needed a router table to make my kitchen cabinets. I found a community of differing perspectives respectfully coexisting. Differing opinions were respected and disrespect was not tolerated. I also found information across the woodworking spectrum in the most user friendly format. As time went on I learned alot about South America Australia and European people and their views. Because of the variety of educational backgrounds, it is always interesting to read off woodworking threads about controversial topics. Even the global warming threads though causing heavy moderator involvement was informative. So why do I keep coming back. . . to learn from one of the most interesting sites on the web
 
#17 ·
I've used a lot of forums over the years. From so far back they were called bulletin board systems and you had to dial into them up to the current web based systems. They all seem to start out fun and friendly. Why not? People with shared interests and all that. Typically there is core group of 10-20 very active users that make the forum worthwhile. Some of them are experts in the area, some of them are smart and creative and some are just plain full of hot air. But there are usually a couple of sociopaths with strong opinions who are unable to treat others with any kindness. I think their mothers must have beaten them as children or something. (jk) Many forums descend into chaos with factions fighting at each other and a complete loss of civility. The moderators, in trying to stop this, often clamp down too hard and kill the remnants of fun. I think it's a very hard job to keep the sociopaths from ruining the fun for the rest. Beat them down too hard and the forum stops being fun, let them run amok and the same thing happens.

What makes a good forum? Gentle moderation, friendly experts and a generally light hearted atmosphere. Fortunately, woodworkers tend to be less judgmental than most so the moderation job isn't as hard as on, say, a political or religious forum. I suspect we have a little more humility than most - I know I've got a few "uglies" in my closet. And, of all the woodworking forums, RF comes the closest to this. I think the moderators are doing a good job and the core group seems to be as welcoming, helpful and non-judgmental as possible. I spend more of my forum time here than other places because of that.

By the way, I also spend time on lumberjocks. Not because of the actual discussions but rather the way they promote projects and reviews from the home page. I go there to quickly flip through various projects. They often give me ideas. And I love the way they have reviews set up. Definitely makes it easy find and add product reviews. Those would be great additions to RF.
 
#18 ·
I found the Routerforum on a Google search, after I decided to get serious with my woodworking and router. And I keep coming back, like the rest have said, because it's informative, friendly atmosphere and it's like another family here. Wish I had more time to spend here!!
 
#19 ·
Cannot recall how I found this forum, but the posts above certainly show why I keep coming back.

Made some friends and learned so much from the members helpful advice.

Would not know much about circle jigs, template guides and router skis without this forum....
 
#21 ·
Aw, shucks...You made me blush......
 
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#26 ·
Change is inevitable, Rick.

It is the rate of change that frightens me......
 
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#29 ·
I joined the forum about 3 years ago and as I recall, I was searching some topic and came across this forum. In order to see images, I needed to register. I wasn't active on the forum (work, other interests). I used to watch the Router Workshop and enjoyed the low tech, homey atmosphere of the show.

I have recently been checking into the forum more often and enjoy seeing photos/pics posted by other members. I find the level of knowledge/experience and the willingness to offer advice and opinions in a mature, friendly manner by the members of this forum is the reason it is an enjoyable forum to belong to.

Vince
 
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