Well, here is my first post. This is all new to me as far as a website and blogs. It has been a journey to get to this point. But, with the support of my wife and son, I have been able to explore and expand my woodworking.
So todays post – a little about me. There is a descriptor in the website, but a quick summary is woodworking has always been something I enjoy. I got this passion many years ago while in High School. Took a short class in woodworking. At that time it was combined with other classes and you would take three disciplines in a semester. My two favourites were electronics and woodworking!
I enjoyed wood turning and convinced my Dad to help me buy a lathe. It was an old Rockwell/beaver. Had that up until a few years ago. It was close to 40yrs old and still worked great. Replaced with a Rikon Variable speed/reversible model.
Back to the teen years – I would use the lathe for spindles and make coffee tables. Made several and sold to friends, and family of friends. 50.00 each at that time. Made out of oak solids and plywoods.
Then I decided to get brave and build walls for the bathroom in the basement. Weird angles and panelling for the walls instead of drywall, but it worked and provided privacy in what was just an open space in the basement.
My mother had her mothers rocking chair, and at that time it was quite old, but not in good shape. So, I decided one day to restore this for my mom. It took quite some time, and I had to make a few spindles(good thing I had a lathe!). Mom was so happy, and she put it in her bedroom. I still have that old chair. It has a few more spindles broken and knowing what I know now, I will restore it as close I can to its original beauty. It’s a unique chair as my Baba must have been as short or shorter than my mom(mom was under 5 ft). The chair sits very low. This might be good project for an upcoming YouTube video.
There were many projects like these. Hope chests, Blanket boxes, anything someone would mention I was always the “ I can do that” guy. It has served me well through the years and life. I have gotten away from woodwork, and then come back to it several times.
For me it is not just like an old friend. It IS an old friend. Comforting and familiar. It is easy for me to get absorbed in a project, and at least temporarily escape the insanity that is our world at this time. It is a time for reflection and memories. My thoughts will wonder to family and friends no longer with us. A time for prayer, and hope. And the occasional “Dad would be proud of this one”.
Well, that covers most of my teen years. I will continue into my twenties and onward in the next post.
For now, please enjoy the site. I am open to suggestions or ideas from all, And I look forward to continuing on this journey.
Stay safe, and remember if you be anything, be kind.
Talk soon.
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