So I recently completed making some Adirondack Chairs of my own design, which I am pretty proud of. I told my Mom about them and she decided to come over and look at them, and of course as Mom’s always do, said that I did a wonderful job. She actually didn’t stop there though. She said that my Grandfather would have been proud. This was special to me.
You see, my Grandfather, before becoming a Steamfitter by trade, was a carpenter, as was my Great Grandfather. I remember stories about my Granddad making everything from dormers for his house to tool boxes. I can still remember some of his home made tool boxes. And on a more personal note, he actually helped me carve a wood box derby car when I was in the cub scouts…
I unfortunately was still very young when my Grandfather died. I wish he was still here so I could share my love with wood working with him. I’m sure he could have taught me a thing or two also…
My Mom mentioned that she had a lot of his old, now antique, tools, some dating back to my Great Grandfather. She said that she was going to look for them and give them to me. I can’t wait to see what she has. I have a feeling I’ll be refinishing them, but it is going to be pretty cool to have these family heirlooms.
I just figured I’d post a blog about family and the passing down of wood working tradition. Any similar stories out there?
-- Wood working is my relaxation, until nothing fits or works out right...Then it's just like work!
9 comments so far
a1Jim
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16978 posts in 474 days
posted 144 days ago
Hey Craig
Great story It will be super for you to have you grandfathers tools.
-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon
woodpeckerbill
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42 posts in 170 days
posted 144 days ago
Craig, Thanks for sharing a great story! Family is what life is all about. You will cherrish your grandfather’s tools for many, many years no doubt. Bill
Scott Bryan
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20735 posts in 719 days
posted 144 days ago
Craig, this is a wonderful post. I am sure a lot of us can relate to your situation. My father and grandfather were second and third generation carpenters. Both were more than willing to teach me the trade when I was a teen and young adult but I could not see any practicality in this as I saw how they both worked hard all their lives and barely made ends meet, or so it seemed to me. Needless to say later in life I came to have an infinitely greater appreciation, not only for their trade and individual skills, but also in working with wood. I have wished many times that I had availed myself of their knowledge when I had the opportunity to do so.
I did inherit a number of hand tools that my father used and still get an immense satisfaction when I have these same tools in my hands that he once used. I am sure that you will find using your grandfather’s tools will give you a similar feeling of satisfaction.
Enjoy and, if you do a restoration job, it would make an interesting blog to see the before and after pictures.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
patron
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2447 posts in 238 days
posted 144 days ago
nice story !
and that you want to carry on the tradition is wonderfull .
maybe your great grandkids ,
will do the same !
-- david ,new mexico ,allheart
Don Newton
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532 posts in 516 days
posted 143 days ago
I applaud you guys that seek out your woodworking heritage. Unfortunately, my father was an alcoholic and had no interests other than drink. I’m self taught…and proud of it.
-- Don, Pittsburgh
jockmike2
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7330 posts in 1144 days
posted 143 days ago
This story does remind me of my Uncle Harry. He was actually a man of many talents. No matter what he did he always did his best and excelled at it. He opened a gas station when I was a little kid, and became known as Harry the master mechanic. People came from all around to get there cars fixed. Really did good in a small town. But soon he tired of that and started a grocery store and butcher. Soon he was known all over town and county for his cuts of meat and the great store he ran, and was known all over as Harry the Grocer. Soon he tired of this and decided to try carpentry and again became the best carpenter in 4 counties and was reknown for his wonderful woodworking, and became known as Harry the Master Carpenter, but you get caught f**ing one sheep and you’re forever known as Harry the….......
No offense Craig, it just reminded me of my old Uncle Harry.
-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com
Craig
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24 posts in 150 days
posted 143 days ago
That’s an old one, but still funny….LOL.
-- Wood working is my relaxation, until nothing fits or works out right...Then it's just like work!
jockmike2
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7330 posts in 1144 days
posted 142 days ago
Thanks for not being offended. I meant none. Family is big with me. It is important, and tradition is an important part of our heritage. I hope your MOM finds you some treasures. Peace. mike
-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com
Karson
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25803 posts in 1298 days
posted 142 days ago
Craig. Thats a great post about family and it’s meaning in your life. My father started me in woodworking quite young, but he was a farmer and a handyman and was not a furniture maker. But he never hired anyone to do anything. he did it all himself.
Thanks for the post.
-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †