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William Sampson

William Sampson is a lifelong woodworker, and he has been an advocate for small-scale entrepreneurs and lean manufacturing since the 1980s. He was the editor of Fine Woodworking magazine in the early 1990s and founded WoodshopBusiness magazine, which he eventually sold and merged with CabinetMaker magazine. He helped found the Cabinet Makers Association in 1998 and was its first executive director. Today, as editorial director of Woodworking Network and FDMC magazine he has more than 20 years experience covering the professional woodworking industry. His popular "In the Shop" tool reviews and videos appear monthly in FDMC.

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Management

It takes more than optimism to move forward

As we near the end of the first quarter of 2017, I am still hearing mostly optimistic thoughts from people in the woodworking industry who I encounter daily. But I worry that too many take a passive approach to business, resigned to the ups and downs of an economy for which they have little control. That may be, but it still takes more than optimism to be successful.
By William Sampson, March 2, 2017 | 9:57 am CST
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Sanding and Finishing

Euro finishes come to America

Recent trends seen at such venues as the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show and the International Builder Show confirm an ongoing growth in premium European finishes for furniture, cabinets and other wood products. Those finishes range from ultra-high gloss to elegant satins. Capitalizing on the trend, Sherwin-Williams recently announced that it is offering Sayerlack brand finishes across the U.S.
By William Sampson, March 2, 2017 | 9:57 am CST
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FDMC Magazine

Tusk handles called "irresponsible"

Editor: Your recent magazine cover (FDMC January 2017) showing two elephant tusks is incredibly irresponsible and only highlights how ignorant you and your staff are. Elephant populations are being wiped out and to display these tusks that only promote and further the desire to own ivory is so careless of you. I would expect better judgment as you must be educated and aware of this problem. Even if they are fake it is equally irresponsible. Do you not have any regard for these creatures? I hope you exercise better judgment going forward. Thanks.
By William Sampson, March 2, 2017 | 9:23 am CST
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Project Gallery

Stool made with own offcuts

Every furniture manufacturer dreams of making products with as little waste as possible. Now a team of South Korean designers has come up with furniture that is made from its own offcuts. Called the Zero Per Stool, it is the brainchild of the Hattern design studio in South Korea, which involves Jank Won, Min-a Kim and Kyungsun Hwang. Legs and braces for the three-legged stool are cut from flat white oak stock, leaving the kind of typical waste one might see in a CNC nest. But rather than discarding that waste, Hattern’s design repurposes it to create the stool’s seat.
By William Sampson, February 24, 2017 | 9:57 am CST
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Pricing & Supply

Cloned big leaf maple grown for guitars

CONCRETE, Wash. – While some companies look ahead only as far as the next quarterly financial statement, Pacific Rim Tonewoods has embarked on a business plan involving figured maple wood that won’t bring in returns for decades. But having a long view is part of the theme music for this company that specializes in high quality sustainable wood for musical instruments.
By William Sampson, February 24, 2017 | 9:57 am CST