Back in the late 70's I attended the Maine School of Luthiery and learned to make guitars. It was a wonderful experience and I just loved the smell of the sitka spruce tops and the mahogany and rosewood. I made several instruments after that and sold them to college students. It was a meager but helpful income at the time. I was in college to become a science teacher.
After graduation I got married, moved away from home, lived in rents, built a house, had kids.. you know the story. You've had similar. Anyway, the woodworking thing just wasn't a priority either financially or time wise.
Jump to now. 30+ years later. I'm retired after 30 years in a Jr. High classroom. Ha, enough is enough! And I've fixed up the shop in the old family home by the lake and moved in. I haven't built a guitar yet but I have had fun with some furniture and learning new skills with the router. I've picked up some new tools and interestingly I've found that my old ones that have been in mothballs for 30 years, but with just 5 years of wear on them, are antiques. But, I know them. They are familiar to me. So, I've restored them and they feel as comfortable as they did years ago. I've also picked up some new ones and they are nice.
I hope you look at my work, and I enjoy my sojourn here on LJ's. I'm trying to post my work and of course my teacher heritage might raise it's head now and again. Can't help that, it's in my blood.
Oh, and Martin' Many thanks for this wonderful woodworking forum. I understand about the addiction comments of others now.
Daniel Gagner, Craftsman on the Lake
-- The smell of wood, coffee in the cup, the wife let's me do my thing, the lake is peaceful. http://web.me.com/deceiver6/Deceiver/Craftsman_on_the_lake/Craftsman_on_the_lake.html
15 comments so far
Scott Bryan
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20518 posts in 713 days
posted 328 days ago
Hello Daniel,
Let me welcome to LJs. I am sure that you will find this to be a rewarding and enriching part of your woodworking journey.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
rikkor
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11338 posts in 765 days
posted 328 days ago
Welcome to LJ. You will like it here.
trifern
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7894 posts in 658 days
posted 328 days ago
Welcome to LJ’s.
-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.
HallTree
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2040 posts in 658 days
posted 328 days ago
Welcome Daniel. You have found the right place for woodworking. A great group of people willing to help. Looking forward to see your projects and comments. Work safe in the shop and don’t forget to use pushsticks.
-- Ron in Osseo, Minnesota
Todd A. Clippinger
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5632 posts in 990 days
posted 328 days ago
Welcome to LumberJocks – The best woodworking community anywhere!
I look forward to seeing your posts and projects.
Share the Love ~ Share the Knowledge
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
Max
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14322 posts in 1164 days
posted 328 days ago
Glad to see that you have made Lumberjocks a part of your Woodworking experience… Welcome
-- Max "Desperado", Salt Lake City, UT
Todd Thomas
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4827 posts in 339 days
posted 328 days ago
Welcome to LumberJocks….It will be a great resource for you and your projects. There are a bunch of great people here willing to help……have fun….Looking forward to your projects and post….. WARNING: Visiting LumberJocks has proven to be addictive
-- Todd, Oak Ridge, TN, Hello my name is Todd and I'm a Toolholic, I bought my last tool 10 days, no 4 days, oh heck I bought a tool on the way here! †
Grumpy
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14914 posts in 742 days
posted 328 days ago
Welcome to Lumberjocks Daniel. 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
Karson
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25786 posts in 1291 days
posted 327 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 †
TedM
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1840 posts in 623 days
posted 327 days ago
Welcome to Lumberjocks! It’s a great place with great people, and, oh yeah, there’s the woodworking! Have fun and play safe! :)
-- I'm a wood magician... I can turn fine lumber into firewood before your very eyes! - http://www.woodworkersguide.com
ND2ELK
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6134 posts in 665 days
posted 326 days ago
Welcome to Lumberjocks. The projects are an inspiration, the information is priceless and the people are supportive. The only problem is, the site can get addictive.
God Bless
tom
-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa
FlWoodRat
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580 posts in 800 days
posted 326 days ago
Daniel,
Welcome to LumberJocks. You are gonna love this place. By the way, it’s good to see another old bald guy here. Good luck getting that shop and Old Tools together and functioning.
-- I love the smell of sawdust in the morning....
isetegija
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609 posts in 405 days
posted 324 days ago
Welcome to Lumberjocks community , the best woodworking community on the internet!
-- My woodwork blog : http://www.isetehtud.pri.ee/blog/
thetimberkid
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1944 posts in 594 days
posted 323 days ago
Welcome to LJs
Callum
-- For wood working podcasts with a twist check out http://thetimberkid.com/
Dusty56
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3454 posts in 579 days
posted 62 days ago
Hi Dan , thanks for adding me to your buddy’s list . It was a pleasure meeting you and the Mrs. today in Lexington : ) Have a great weekend !
-- You know you're getting old when you know the difference between you're (you are) and your (belonging to you) AND how to use them in a sentence .