LumberJocks
DAILY DEALS Router Table Foot Pedal at Rockler  |  DeWalt Gauge Narrow Crown Stapler at Tool King

Les Hastings

View Les Hastings's:homeworkshopprojects (48)blog (42)reviews (1)forum topics (2)buddies (26)favorites (15)activity logWatch

948 posts in 651 days

Location: Wichita, Ks.
Website:

I grew up in a small town in south east Kansas. My Dad was a woodwkr in his spare time. He had a small shop in the back yard with limited had tools and equipment. There was a small jointer, table saw and radial arm saw all from Monkey Wards (as he always called it).
I spent a bunch of time there with my older brothers mostly, my Dad was always working. Woodworking became a passion very early in my life. I built my first piece of furniture when I was twelve years old in junior high school. It was a walnut bar stool. The whole project was done on the lathe, even turned the seat. I still have it! Its in pieces though, I've been planning on getting it all cleaned up and back together but just haven't had the time.
These days I make my living making furniture. I've been really lucky. I tell people I get paid to do my hobby and learn at the same time. I'm self taught, I just learn by doing. Made my share of mistakes, believe me.
I manage a custom shop these days in Wichita, Ks. . We build custom furniture, kitchens, office's you name it. I came here in 1991 after things down home kinda dried up so to speak, Looking for work in the building trades. Framing or triming just needed work. Found an add in the paper for a shop needing a furniture builder, I went and applied. Almost seventeen years later and I'm Lovin every minute of it.
Looking forward to sharing things with all of you Lumberjocks and learning from you as well.

-- Les, Wichita, Ks. (I'd rather be covered in saw dust!)

Latest Activity | view all »

commented on Untitled mocassins 2 days ago
replied on What's the 1st piece of furniture you ever built? 10 days ago
commented on Tributary 11 days ago
commented on First Lathe Project - Bowl 11 days ago
commented on Arts and Crafts buffet 15 days ago
commented on M8 - Tall Case Clock 18 days ago
commented on Slant Side Music Box 20 days ago
replied on Vacuum Veneering 24 days ago
commented on Custom built stairs with built in light 27 days ago
commented on Bathroom remodel cabinets 27 days ago
commented on WII Willys jeeps 27 days ago
commented on Jewelry Amoire 28 days ago
commented on coffee table 38 days ago
commented on Arched Bed #7: The Most Critical Cut 40 days ago
commented on The "Cameo" Jewelry Box. 40 days ago

Latest Projects | view all 48 »

Latest Blog Entries | view all 42 »

Workshop | view details »


Grab widget

23 comments so far

View GaryK's profile

GaryK

9496 posts in 866 days


posted 651 days ago

Welcome to LumberJocks! Enjoy yourself.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

View Max's profile

Max

13954 posts in 1151 days


posted 651 days ago

Glad to see that you have made Lumberjocks a part of your Woodworking experience… Welcome…

-- Max "Desperado", Salt Lake City, UT

View rikkor's profile

rikkor

11338 posts in 752 days


posted 651 days ago

Welcome to LJ. You will like it here.

View airfieldman's profile

airfieldman

72 posts in 688 days


posted 651 days ago

You’ve found a wonderful web site. Welcome!

-- Do what you love, the money will follow --Marsha Sinetar

View Scott Bryan's profile

Scott Bryan

19998 posts in 699 days


posted 651 days ago

Welcome to LJs. I am sure that you will find this to be a rewarding experience. It is difficult to be able to make a living while pursuing one’s passion. You have been blessed to have both the desire and ability to make a living with your woodworking skills.

I look forward to seeing some of your projects.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

View gene's profile

gene

2165 posts in 761 days


posted 651 days ago

Welcome to the wonderful world of LJ’s (Enjoy) Step on in, The water’s fine, fine, fine.
You can ask, show, teach, learn, and Share woodworking experiences.
There’s something here for anyone that likes working with wood.
Plus new friends
God bless

-- Gene, a Christian in Virginia

View Karson's profile

Karson

25271 posts in 1278 days


posted 650 days ago

Welcome to LumberJocks. Glad to have you aboard.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

View cajunpen's profile

cajunpen

5970 posts in 943 days


posted 650 days ago

Welcome to LumberJocks. Enjoy the community

-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/

View Gary's profile

Gary

437 posts in 1202 days


posted 650 days ago

Welcome to lumberjocks. Judging by your first project posted, I’d say we’re lucky you’ve found us and look forward to learning more from you.
Cheers,
Gary

-- Gary, Florida

View gizmodyne's profile

gizmodyne

1659 posts in 967 days


posted 650 days ago

Welcome to LJ. Love your projects. Keep on posting.

-- -John "Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it's a joke." www.flickr.com/photos/gizmodyne

View Karson's profile

Karson

25271 posts in 1278 days


posted 650 days ago

Great work you do Les. Get ahold of Mark Decou. He sometimes shows up in Witicha. You would enjoy meeting him.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

View DocK16's profile

DocK16

697 posts in 964 days


posted 650 days ago

Welcome to the site. very nice postings so far.

-- DocK, WV

View Les Hastings's profile

Les Hastings

948 posts in 651 days


posted 650 days ago

Thanks for the welcome guy’s
Karson, I’d like the chance to meet Mark.

-- Les, Wichita, Ks. (I'd rather be covered in saw dust!)

View Mark A. DeCou's profile

Mark A. DeCou

1533 posts in 1283 days


posted 650 days ago

Welcome to another Kansas Lumberjock. I think you make #7.

-- Mark DeCou - American Contemporary Craft Artisan - www.decoustudio.com

View mot's profile

mot

4901 posts in 914 days


posted 650 days ago

Hey! Welcome to LJ! It’s a good group of folks!

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

View PanamaJack's profile

PanamaJack

4447 posts in 955 days


posted 648 days ago

We would like to welcome you to the one and only LumberJocks. If you should need any woodworking question answered, don’t hesitate to ask. Somebody’s gonna have a good answer for you.

-- Carpe Lignum - Seize The Wood,

View Popintraining's profile

Popintraining

109 posts in 715 days


posted 645 days ago

Hey Lee
I didn’t recognize you until I saw that killer mantel again. I love that thing! Glad to see you posting and welcome to LJ’s

-- Illegitimis nil carborundum - Don't let the bastards grind you down http://woodworkingtipsfrompop.com

View Woodshopfreak's profile

Woodshopfreak

390 posts in 620 days


posted 620 days ago

Thanks

-- Tyler, Illinois

View jeanmarc's profile

jeanmarc

1750 posts in 594 days


posted 593 days ago

Love your projects

-- jeanmarc manosque france

View Jim13's profile

Jim13

34 posts in 533 days


posted 531 days ago

hey!

-- Yanky, pateince is everthing.

View Rogue's profile

Rogue

87 posts in 347 days


posted 344 days ago

You are a true craftsman and an inspiration. I’ve ran my own fulltime shop for @8 mounths. Though I’m always busy I really get nervous about how long I can just keep doing this. It seems to good to be true you know. It takes frequent inspirations like yourself to keep going. Thanks for sharing your work and I be hourered to put you on as my buddy for future inspiration.

-- Rogue

View dirtclod's profile

dirtclod

162 posts in 738 days


posted 341 days ago

I’ve reviewed many of your projects. You put the craftsman in craftsmanship! The world needs more like you.!

-- Wonderful new things are coming! - God

View onehitwonder's profile

onehitwonder

8 posts in 204 days


posted 203 days ago

Thanks for the kinds words Les!

Best,
-C

-- Philadelphia / NYC (Columbia)

You must be signed in to post the comments.

  • View all advertisers
  • Advertise with us

DISCLAIMER: Any posts on LJ are posted by individuals acting in their own right and do not necessarily reflect the views of LJ. LJ will not be held liable for the actions of any user.

Latest Projects | Latest Blog Entries | Latest Forum Topics

HomeRefurbers.com

Latest Projects | Latest Blog Entries | Latest Forum Topics

GardenTenders.com :: gardening showcase