Woodworking in America Day Un

Although the conference didn't start until today, the vacation started yesterday.   A rough start.  Parting with my wife and my canine companion is not easy and air travel for my Texas sized frame is always uncomfortable.  I used to work with IBM Japan.  Years ago, a Japanese friend guided me to many great sites of Japan.  I have a vivid memory of ninja armor from ancient days at an old castle.  I was astonished at the size of the armor,  A modern 12 year old boy could not have fit in the protective wear.  It was obvious that these body dimensions were used when designing American Airlines commuter jets.  However, all unpleasing moments were forgotten once de-boarded.  Mark Wells and I met up with Frank Strazza and my new friend,  'Pastor Tom', drove us for the short ride to the Convington Conference Center.  Us Texans in this group were introduced to memories of the past.  Specifically, cooler temperatures and green grass!  Later in the evening, on our way to dinner,  we experienced another phenomenon of the past - RAIN!  Unfortunately we encountered the worst of that product after a wrong turn to our restaurant.  However, this mishap allowed us the experience the warm Kentuckian hospitality spirit when an off duty police officer pitied us soaking Texans and provided a ride in his personal car to our restaurant.

So enough of the setting.,  Let's go to the actual conference.

On my honeymoon (OK.  I'm still setting the scene) I experienced one of those montages from God.,  (Keep it clean readers!)  While on a boat excursion in the Cayman Islands, I followed the flight of a brilliant white great egret landing just to my right.  As soon as he landed in the shallow water, a sting ray departed the landing zone and swam straight for me.  One great scene connected to another.  This was how my married life started and this is also today started.

Taking advantage of the cooler weather, I departed for an early morning walk along the Ohio River.  Now here's the connection.  At the start of my walk I ran into Tommy MacDonald (PBS's 'Rough Cut') and then at the conclusion of the short walk I was greeted by Scott Phillips ( PBS's American Woodshop) who asked me about my morning 'run.'  Then, at breakfast I sat at the table next to Rob Cosman, my favorite Canadian woodworker.  (but hey, I like Michael Fortune too!)  My day started great and it got even better.

My first session was a detailed examination of a 18th century Windsor writing chest.   I've been an admirer of the joinery of our ancestors ever since viewing an exploded 18th century chest of drawers at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  The art and craftsmanship is simply amazing.

I could go on about meeting the American Woodworking elite...Roy Underhill, Chris Schwarz, Glen Huey, Scott Phillips, Tommy Mac etc.  But I will admit that the best woodworking artisan I met today is Charlie Watson.

I learned quite by accident that the local chapter of the Society of American Period Furniture Makers (yes, I am a member) was providing traditional woodworking demonstrations.  After a pleasant discussion with Charlie, I altered my session schedule and attended his Newport Shell demonstration.  Smartest thing I did all day!  Charlie took the 'fear' out of making  these beautiful and elaborate carvings.  The only improvement to this one-on-one session would be if this could have been a two-on-one with my brother, another outstanding carver.

Could this day have been any better?  Well, yes.  The Rangers could have won.  But after all, that is only a game.  Life is more than that.

I can't believe I just wrote that.

Getting Started

Welcome.  I'm new to blogging so I'll start off with an introduction.

Hi.  My name is Mark.  I've lived in Texas all of my life and professionally speaking, I am in the computer industry.  My passion, however, is woodworking.  My father started my interest as he began to investigate woodworking as a retirement activity.  I had a new home in need of a stereo cabinet and a father eager to use his new tools.  The result was a functional cabinet with a side affect of a new addition.   Regrettably,  I have no pictures of this first project.

Norm Abram started his show shortly after that which added to my interest.  But who can afford all of that equipment?

I had tried other hobbies.  Computing was too much like work.  Amateur astronomy was a great hobby but horrible hours.  Golf?  Let's just say I'm better at other sports.  If woodworking was my next attempt, I'd better be certain I stick with it.  So, I decided to enroll in a class at Woodcraft to ascertain this possibility.   I suppose that a sore face from smiling all day was the required decisive evidence.  So I bought a hybrid table saw and dust collection to add to my Hitachi router.

Fast forward 10 years and I've made several upgrades.  The table saw was upgraded to a Delta Unisaw.  It was well worth the investment.  More power and a 52 inch fence was a great improvement.  I built a router table based on a PC 7518 with a router lift.  Added a 6 inch jointer and the DeWalt 735 planer.  (By the way.  There's no better bench top planer than the DW735.)

Two years ago I made another upgrade.  I purchased a used MiniMax CU300 Smart system (table saw, jointer/.planer, shaper and mortiser), cyclone dust system and a MM16 band saw.  The best part of this system is having a 12 inch jointer.

This year I purchased several slightly used Festools to add to my TS55, still my favorite power hand tool.  But the primary recent additions to my tool arsenal are hand tools.

Which brings be to the purpose of this blog.  I am using this blog as a catalyst to improve my hand tool skills.  I have taken a few steps in this direction.  The best step was taking the Six Day Foundational Joinery Course at the Homestead Heritage.  The instructors practice what they preach and I have become friends with the staff.

So I need more practice.  I declared Sunday as 'Hand Tool Sunday' and started a project making a tool chest.  This has taken a back seat as I have a commission that I don't have enough free time to complete but I am using hand tooling when possible.

But my next step is attending the Woodworking in America Conference in 6 weeks.  Many of my hand tool friends (some I have only met in cyber space)  and my woodworking idols (Roy Underhill!) will be there.  I decided a blog is necessary to share the experience and push me more toward acquiring hand tool skills.

So let's see how things progress.