Steve loves to teach, and has an encyclopedic knowledge of turning and finishing techniques, good shop practice and what it takes to be a professional artisan. Much of the letter’s content can be used by any woodworker, not just those who specialize in lathe work. I highly recommend it.

originally posted on Facebook

So, here’s my hope. If you are of the mind that prayer helps, would you please join me in praying for Dennis’ return to health and resolution of his pain. If you have a different conception of things metaphysical, please send some good thoughts and wishes Dennis’ way. I hate to see his enormous talent and skill benched to this injury, and how do you expect this fine man to get hitched if he can’t stand in one place long enough…

Congrats Dennis and Patti. May you have a long and healthy life together, starting as soon as possible!

‘Nuff said.

You will note that my garment of choice hasn’t changed much over the years, except in the small matter of size (sigh).

Both photos circa 1974, Ellsworth Hall, sixth floor, University of Kansas, Lawrence.

Brad builds furniture as an avocation. I don’t think he’s a lumberjock…yet. Can you say “new fish”?

This last Sunday, Dennis was down at the shop working on the parquetry project he is currently involved in. Since the largest part of his day is spent running autoCAD and planning/project managing, it struck me as not one bit odd that this Sunday – his birthday – was spent in the quiet pursuit of his craft with only the his thoughts and the shop cats in attendance. He offered to let me come down and make off with a horde of wood, much of it 8/4. Those of you who are familiar with the fiction of J.R.R. Tolkein know that Hobbits, the diminutive race of Middle Earth have the practice of giving away gifts on their birthday – rather than receiving them. Striped mahogany, beautiful walnut, cherry, yellow poplar, flame birch, ash, maple and purpleheart cast-offs were on the bill of fare at this quiet party. Since time was tight before he was off to the movies with his children, I had just enough time to stop at the Old Market in Omaha for a slice of chocolaty goodness from Delicé a European bakery a few blocks from the shop. Quite a haul in exchange for chocolate.

I’m already carving some up for use on a plane till project I’m working on, from this idea from Thos. Angle

Thanks again for the wood and the help out with it to the truck, Dennis. This is enough fodder for a year of small box work and shop fixtures. Happy Birthday to you!

The place was bustling with activity, with high-end work being done on conference tables for NASA and a big custom Chicago Bears bed. Dennis also showed me the window method work he recently posted. He does his homework, with several practice pieces and no stopping until the piece is right. I also got to sidle up to the astounding Griffin table. Dennis was down-to-earth and accessible to questions, and I was able to see the gleam in his eyes as he discussed his progress in the craft and his love of discovery as he follows his curiosity and perfects areas of embellishment (finishing, carving, marquetry). I recognize the fire that burns in this gentleman, and his desire for perfection that can be touched in the final piece.

I also got a signed copy of his recent publication in Wood Carving Illustrated. Before I even had a chance to get it up to the “reading room”, Pam had glommed onto it. This is good… I gave her a Flexcut set of interchangeable blades and a palm handle a few years back, and they have been idle. She needed a clue to the first steps, and there was plenty that fit right into that path in this fine magazine. He was also kind enough to offer up some short ends and hardwood scraps – just the sort of thing that makes this small box guy and notorious pack-rat drool…

Thanks Dennis for the invitation to visit. I hope that you won’t come to regret it. At least next time lunch will be on me!

MrWoody got the wood bug at an early age, ”When I was 8 or 9 my dad brought home some packing crates, not sure why as he was not mechanically inclined. He had a hammer and an old handsaw that I now know was not sharp enough to cut butter. From them I made a ladder so my dog and I could get on the shed roof (I don’t know why) and some boats. I used my allowance to buy nails instead of candy.
When I was in grade 8 we had a shop class and I made a bed tray and a lamp. I think I’m going to try that bed tray again it was very handy.”

His interests run the gamut of woodworking with a career and advocation with steel as well, ”When I was first married we lived on 5th floor and I made a stereo stand and an aquarium stand with a portable jigsaw, drill, hammer, and nails. I’ll bet I was popular. Mid 20’s we bought a 75 year old fixer upper, had 2 kids (boy & girl), and no money. I did ALL the work because I couldn’t afford to hire anyone, so I became a Jack of all trades.
I finally bought a cheap tin top table saw, not for wood working but to cut steel as I was making knives, but because it was there I started making wood projects. I’ve tried most forms of woodworking and am passable at most. I’ve done some carving, made paddles using a draw knife and spoke shave, scroll saw work and bandsaw boxes. I have used dovetails and box joints.”

Although his hand tool skills are a source of relaxation, John admits…”but would never give up my power TOYS.”
There is a phrase dear to me! I still have a few yards to go on those hand tool skills. He also managed to have a side business doing remodeling, which paid for a next round of shop machinery.

And that brings us to his shop today…long removed from the kitchen table work of his honeymoon years and the tin top saw of his early adulthood. This shop is wired tight.

Here Deb inspects the heart of the shop, a combined TS – Router table set up (Is that a Veritas insert? I forgot to ask.) Everything in this shop makes intelligent use of space and is well organized. And there is task lighting and bright overhead ambient lighting as well. I hesitate to mention this to you younger woodworkers, but if you plan to keep at the craft into your late forties and beyond you will thank me for suggesting that you include good lighting in the plan for your ultimate shop. And there were extra points awarded for the prominently placed fire extinguisher.

Deb was impressed as well with the access to a phone in the shop should help be needed in an emergency. I as always was a sucker for the saw clock. More organzation is noted in the parts bins and tool racks over the great workbench.

I knew at a glance that this was one winner of a shop. MrWoody has a sweet set up, obviously the product of a lifetime’s working in wood (and more). If I ever set my ship in order there is much to be gleaned from this shop.
Thanks, John for the invitation to visit and the inestimable patience while waiting for me to get your visit posted.
You certainly deserve your certificate.

P.S. Check out these great workstation dollies!

Flooded with light fitting of an artist’s studio, Patrick has a tightly organized shop, with all the provisions for safety in the shop. Big points for eye and ear protection, fire prevention and safe stock handling. And he doesn’t have to resort to a shirt sleeve (or worse), should his nose get busy during a project. This is evolved woodworking.

I was particularly interested in the fine collection of planes and the designing station. And the clamp collection.
You owe it to yourself to wander over to lechevaldebois's project page for a view of the work coming from Le Ébénisterie.

But the real reason I lobbied hard for the visit was to get a load of the large piece of Texas ebony Patrick purchased from fellow LJ BlueStingrayBoots.

Get a load of that log! After all what is an Ébénisterie without ebony? From some of the comments of the LJs that have worked this timber (WayneC one), this is an exceptional purchase, and potentially a source of some excellent discussion of lumber seasoning. It certainly has interesting aspects of urban logging and international commerce. I can’t wait to see some of this put to masterful use.

Here is a shot with the proud owner, and Debbie who is preparing for the official assay of lumber assets.

We close out our visit with a family moment as L’Enfant De Bois visits the shop, and Debbie prepares for the final tabulations of the Inspection.

I could tell as soon as we saw the overhead extension cord reel how this was all going to come out, sadly remembering my own shop inspection failure (yes, the only one yet recorded in the shop visit annals).

In total, out visit to the Knight of Wood was great. You have one winner of a shop, Patrick. You may download your shop accreditation certificate here.

With the formalities aside, it’s on to the shop inspection of Joe Hanson, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Lumberjock.

I’m sure some cleaning up was done it anticipation of our visit, but this shop is surgically clean. And organized like a tray of instruments.

So much better than the usual “Where the heck did I lay that (insert name of missing tool) down.”

I asked Joe for a little background – “A little about me. Grew up as a cowboy on the family homestead in South Dakota – our Christmas tree was a tumble weed with cattle ear tags as ornaments – for real.
I am a small animal veterinary surgeon in Denver CO. I first got into woodworking 5 years ago. I am self taught with the help of the great publications out there and drawing on my high school shop classes. I guess the attention to detail I’ve learned with surgery helps when I work in my shop. One thing for sure wood is more forgiving than flesh lol. Hense my signature—Wood doesn’t bleed! I find I am challenged more by woodworking than medicine and may be making a career switch. I still have tons to learn, I guess I’m a professional student.

I learned of Lumberjocks thru The Wood Whisperer Marc Spagnuolo’s website. WWW.Thewoodwhisperer.com I am looking forward to learning how to blog – something they failed to teach you in Vet school. But.. if your pet needs major surgery—Gown Me Up! :-)”

His shop space is 1800 square feet, occupying the basement of the family home, and it is truly inviting, with great storage and lighting. I particularly liked the countertop, which practically screams “Steel City Granite Tool Upgrade Looming”.

Deb and I both had questions about Joe’s HVLP turbine set-up. Maybe we can prevail upon him for a review write-up.

Deb overcame her twin dislikes The Table Saw and the Router for a closer look at Joe’s shared fence set-up.
Safety points awarded for having the push stick/saw-aid readily at hand.

With the hard work done, it’s time for a cup of Leap Day tea and the final tally. Joe, your shop is a winner. Thanks for the invitation to visit. It was a joy to see such a well organized shop. Now go make some sawdust!

Here is your shop visit certificate.