My interest in building things and tools started around the age of 11. My grandpa was always puttering around in the garage messing with tools etc. and I was often out there with him. Also, a guy in our neighborhood had a Shopsmith and was always working on a project. I use to hang out in his garage for hours and bug the hell out of him!
One day a friend and me took a wood Pepsi crate, and his grandmother's picnic table bench, and made a go cart. From then on I was hooked on building things! (Grandma wasn't very happy about the bench!)
When I got to high school I took the two years of wood shop that was offered, and then for two more years went to the shop during study halls. I also graduated from a 2 year trade school that was mostly trim carpentry with a little bit of cabinet making.
After school I got a job in a cabinet shop as an apprentice for around 2 years but I later got out of it mostly because a better job came along that offered more money and better benefits.
Over the years I've been involved with the craft at various levels. Just a few years ago I finally went full bore and built a reasonably equipped heated and air conditioned shop.
After messing around with various projects for awhile I decided to focus in on building bookcases. This has turned out to be a good fit because my other passion is books. I have hundreds of books that were piled into gimcrack Sauder termite barf, throwaway furniture, so I thought why not combine the two interests and build my books a respectable home.
So, I tell people that I'm like the guy that bought a $20,000 bass boat to save money on fish! I could have easily bought some very, very, very, nice bookcases with the money that I've put into the shop, but wheres the fun in that?
I decided to specialize and learn about barristers because they are modular in design and thus allow me to expand them as I continue to buy more and more books. My current goal is to build enough to house my current collection. I estimate this number to be around 22 barrister boxes.
I'm blogging on LJ's though this process so stop by and check it out!
-- Craig, Springfield Ohio
14 comments so far
Max
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55745 posts in 2438 days
#1 posted 1359 days ago
Glad to see that you have made Lumberjocks a part of your Woodworking experience… Welcome
-- Max "Desperado", Salt Lake City, UT
a1Jim
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86885 posts in 1742 days
#2 posted 1359 days ago
Welcome to LJs were there are great people,great projects and outstanding woodworkers.Enjoy.
-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/
Splinterman
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23060 posts in 1526 days
#3 posted 1358 days ago
“Welcome to LJ’s” ….the best place to enhance your woodworking skills and knowledge.
cabinetmaster
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10874 posts in 1723 days
#4 posted 1358 days ago
Welcome to LJ’s. We are here to help you with your woodworking endeavors. Feel free to ask for advise. But Be aware…this site can be very addictive…………LOL
-- Jerry--A man can never have enough tools or clamps
Scott Bryan
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27262 posts in 1987 days
#5 posted 1358 days ago
Hello Scarcraig01,
Let me welcome to LJs. I am sure that you will find being a member of this group to be an interesting, as well as exciting, experience. Have fun and enjoy.
-- Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful- Joshua Marine
SnowyRiver
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45571 posts in 1645 days
#6 posted 1358 days ago
Welcome aboard. Nice to have you join us on Lumberjocks.
-- Wayne - Plymouth MN
Innovator
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3584 posts in 1578 days
#7 posted 1358 days ago
Welcome to LumberJocks. It is a GREAT place to get ideas for your projects and help when you get stuck. There is a ton of information to help you along the way.
-- Whether You Think You Can or You Think You Can't, YOU ARE RIGHT!!!
Grumpy
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17823 posts in 2016 days
#8 posted 1358 days ago
Welcome to Lumberjocks . This is a great community of people with like interests. There is much to learn here & you will have the opportunity to share your skills & ideas with others. I hope you enjoy LJ’s as much as I do.
-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python
CreekWoodworker
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408 posts in 1463 days
#9 posted 1357 days ago
Welcome to LumberJocks. Looks like another woodworking neighbor, I’m from Beavercreek. I look forward to seeing your projects.
-- Mike ...Success is often the result of taking a misstep in the right direction
Beginningwoodworker
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13225 posts in 1838 days
#10 posted 1357 days ago
Welcome to LumberJocks!
-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker
Karson
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34367 posts in 2565 days
#11 posted 1356 days ago
Welcome to LumberJocks. Glad to have you aboard. †
-- I've been blessed with a father who liked to tinker in wood, and a wife who lets me tinker in wood. Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
BeachedBones
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201 posts in 1567 days
#12 posted 1354 days ago
Welcome to LJ, it’s a great site with a lot of great people. What I like most about it is how much it’s rekindled my enjoyment of this hobby.
-- You know.... I think that old wood needs to be furniture.
GMman
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3882 posts in 1862 days
#13 posted 1335 days ago
Welcome to Lumberjocks.Great place hope you enjoy yourself!
gjd
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18321 posts in 1817 days
#14 posted 1001 days ago
Imagine that! A year has almost gone by since you became a Lumber Jock. Congratulations on your anniversary! I look forward to your posts.
-- gjd Southcentral Wisconsin
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