Thought that old can of varnish was trash? Turns out, it’s not dead yet. I found a simple way to bring dried-up wood finish back to life… no special tools, no waste. Watch below 👇

Option C – Practical STEM / Pre-Engineering This one is a bit more niche. It’s a live, hands-on class for students interested in engineering or design. It would walk them through the real process of turning an idea into something tangible: sketching, choosing materials, using basic tools, and building a working prototype. The goal is to bridge the gap between theory and practice, the kind of practical skills they rarely teach in engineering school but that matter most in the real world. If this sounds like something that would fit your family or homeschool, go back to the original quoted post and choose Option C. No pressure, just gauging interest. Comment or react below.👇 #grownostr #asknostr View quoted note →

GM! In a recent video, I give a tour of my wood shop / metal shop. Haven’t posted a tour in over a year. Lots of progress! #grownostr #woodworking #metalworking #proofofwork

Right now, this trend of manufacturing shops closing is only going one way.

Thanks again to everyone who liked the last post… I wanted to share a bit more about Option B: a hands-on homeschool shop curriculum. This would be a multi-week, live course for students learning at home, something that feels like a real shop class again, not just pre-recorded videos. Each session would cover tool use, safety, basic woodworking, simple repairs, and maybe even a few lessons in electricity or basic electronics. Students could ask questions and get real-time guidance as they work through projects. The goal is to help kids understand how things work, learn practical problem-solving, and build confidence using their hands, all in a guided, interactive format parents can trust. If that sounds like something that would fit your homeschool setup, or if you know a family who might like it, go back to the original post and vote B, or share your thoughts below.👇 No pressure, I’m just gauging interest right now and collecting ideas. #grownostr #asknostr View quoted note →

Love this feedback… Exactly the kind of practical skills I want the adult shop class to cover. Everyday projects or skills that build confidence and independence. If you could pick just one first project to learn in a class like this, what would it be? Or, what skill would make the biggest difference in your daily life? No pressure… I’m just collecting ideas right now, so feel free to drop a thought or suggestion below.👇 #grownostr #asknostr View quoted note →

Thanks to everyone who liked the last post… it’s great to see some interest in the idea. I wanted to give a bit more detail on Option A: an adult shop class. Not just woodworking, but learning how to use tools safely, handle common projects around the house, and understand how things go together. The goal isn’t to become a professional, it’s to feel capable again and confident tackling practical tasks. If that sounds like the kind of class you’d be interested in, go back to the original post and vote A, or reply there with your thoughts. No pressure, this is just me gauging interest and seeing what resonates. Thanks! #grownostr #asknostr View quoted note →

TOOL TIP TUESDAY: I used to think this tool was a solution looking for a problem… Impact drivers in my mind, were for rusty bolts on old car leaf springs! Then I got a cordless impact driver along with a cordless drill from Milwaukee. I then realized how useful they are for driving screws into wood, much better than cordless drills. The impact from the driver makes driving screws without a pilot hole, effortless… In my mind, they belong in every shop! #grownostr #tools #woodworking

“China has 300 times more naval shipbuilding capacity than the United States. The time that it takes us to build one aircraft carrier, they could build 300.” From The Joe Rogan Experience: #2394 - Palmer Luckey, Oct 16, 2025

I think it’s time to fix the air hose!

A lot of people never got the chance to take a real shop class. To learn how to use tools, work with wood, or fix things confidently. I would like to put together some small, hands-on Zoom classes to bring that kind of learning back. The idea is to help people feel capable again, whether that’s an adult who wants to build something real or a homeschool parent who wants their kids to learn practical skills alongside academics. Here are the three ideas I’m testing: A) Adult shop class: learn tools, materials, and small projects that build skill and confidence. B) Homeschool shop curriculum: a hands-on series that covers woodworking and tool use safely at home. C) Pre-engineering STEM class: practical skills that connect to science and design thinking. (The stuff they don’t teach you in engineering school) Which one would you or your family be most interested in? Reply A, B, or C, or share your thoughts below. 👇 #grownostr #asknostr

I’ve been reading stories from people who did have shop or hands-on classes… It’s interesting how much they stuck with them decades later. If you didn’t have one… where did you actually learn to work with tools, fix things, or make stuff? Friends? Family? YouTube? Just figured it out yourself? Drop a comment below 👇 #asknostr #grownostr #diy

Someone said something in a reply that stuck with me: “Kids need to learn something that’s a struggle for them… They need to experience what it’s like to push through it and get the feeling of accomplishment at the end.” That’s exactly it. Making things isn’t just about skills… it’s about learning how to keep going when it’s not easy. #grownostr #diy

Got a great reply on my last post… someone said their kids are carving wood and totally stoked about it. That’s what learning should feel like. Somewhere along the way, we replaced curiosity with worksheets. What’s one project or skill you think every kid should experience before they graduate? What do you think? Comment below.👇 #asknostr #grownostr #diy

Lasers on woodworking tools? It’s a gimmick, to upsell the tool. I have yet to see a laser on a tool that really helps… Then they go out a year later. Do you like lasers on tools? Comment below 👇 #woodworking #grownostr

What the hell happened…

Which do you prefer in your woodworking projects? A) Wood joinery (dovetail, mortise & tenon) B) Fasteners (screws, bolts, nails) C) Glue (wood glue, epoxy) D) Duct tape! E) Something else Give your answer below!👇 #asknostr #grownostr #woodworking #diy

If the people in this video, who are talking about ancient Egyptian stone vases that were measured with very precise instruments… were talking about jet engine parts… (Something I am around everyday) The measurements they describe would be the SAME… This means to me… That the ancient Egyptians had machines comparable to our modern day machine shops! This absolutely blows my mind! #history #grownostr

SHOP MINI SPLIT INSTALL THREAD: I have received my new mini split AC for my shop and have started installing it on the wall. So far l have hung the indoor unit and cut the pass thru for the wall. The indoor air handler is hung on a sheet metal hanger that is easy to install with two screws into the stud walls. The pass through is a piece of PVC that the liquid lines and wiring go to the outside unit. The unit came with a flimsy plastic pipe for the pass through. However, I had some spare PVC and more importantly I already had the right size hole saw for the pipe. @Jacob (Organix Farms) #diy #grownostr #hvac #hvac