The weekend’s almost here, and if you’re looking to kill the last few hours of the work week, we recommend this short piece by Ryan Bush: it’s a look at the folks who own and operate a small leather goods manufacturing business in Portland, Oregon. From the filmmaker’s description: “It’s wonderful to see a company that thrives in the ‘small batch’ business model, and I hope they continue to make good things for a long time coming. The process of making something as simple as a belt can remind us of the roots of what this country was founded on: creativity, entrepreneurship, and craftsmanship.”
An Exploration in Craft, Featuring: Tanner Goods [Vimeo]
Tanner Goods [Company Site]
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
4 Responses to Video Friday: An Exploration In Craft
Leave a Reply
TM on Flickr
Recent Comments
{ Mithril -- nice.
And true. My understanding is that patent/licensing costs prevent the US from switching to one of the many better bit/fastener patterns... } – May 24, 2:43 PM{ Dear Toolmonger, You comments just make it very clear that you shouldn't have this platform because you don't have a clue. You apparently don't know... } – May 24, 1:04 PM
{ It would be interesting to have comment direct from Steve Gass since I am not certain of the following. However, it is my understanding that... } – May 24, 12:04 PM
{ The GM piston with integral e-brake function (circa 80's as used on Fiero). The crank lever on the backside of the piston housing must be... } – May 24, 9:13 AM
{ I own the ridgid one. Have had it for a few years now. Ever since I picked it up I have had no need to... } – May 23, 8:05 PM
Chuck,
As a craftsman by trade, (carpenter), I truly enjoy seeing videos like this, exploring how others do their particular work, and the pride they take in producing a product that is not only good to look at, but very sturdy, and functional also. I’m sure that I am not alone in these sentiments judging from the commenters here who have a wide variety of skills.
That said, I do wish there were more exposure to the non trade people out there, who have seemed to minimize the real value of pride in a job well done, and expect everything to be easy, as long as you have the money to pay for someone else to do it.
I just wanted you all to know that I appreciate both your, and Sean’s attitudes to those of us who do have something to prove on every job, and that would be to ourselves, that the job was done in the best possible way that we had, and no corners were cut for the sake of the bottom line. Stepping back from a satisfying job is unfortunately a thing that some will never experience.
I’ll step down off my soap box now, and thank you again for the great site, and the camaraderie I have experienced here.
Amen, brother.
Truly an inspiring video that more people need to see, and appreciate the craftsmanship that this country used to be known for. When people finally figure out that the imported crap they buy from Target and Walmart isn’t as good as products manufactured here and are willing to pay a little more to get quality it’ll put Americans back leading in manufacturing.
It is great that this guy can keep his company going making these products by hand, with quality far outwieghing quantity, but this type of business will not be what returns the USA to leader status in the manufacturing realm. Being able to adapt the quality principle to mass production is the ticket, and the secret to that is in the manufacture of production equipment capable of the level of output necessary to compete with the Chinese factories without sacrificing that quality.