This week’s visit is to the shop of Mark Decou in the scenic Flint Hills of Kansas. I grew up in Kansas, and fished and hunted on “the old home place” not far from Mark’s neck of the woods. Big sky, broad vistas, rolling prairie hills with flint and limestone outcrops, farmsteads with Osage Orange hedgerows and babbling creeks. Plenty of serene space to contemplate the meaning of one’s existence.
And contemplative is a natural adjective for Mark. He has done much to share the triumphs and pitfalls of running a one man shop, from the business challenges, to marketing, and the philosophies that guide his work. His work runs the gamut from small hand-carved gift items to huge natural-edged tables. He has a full suite of Mission style furniture and has done most of the traditional furnishings for a nearby Catholic church.
Here Debbie charges up for the inspection with a cup of tea. We both were knocked out by the 12˝ jointer. Never seen one that large in person before. And yet it was no match for the tables mentioned above. Mark got huge safety points too, with the wall-mounted First Aid Kit and the fire extinguisher. I voted for an extra points for having a three-ring binder punch available in the work zone and a huge shelf full of reference materials. We both were enjoying the newly installed air conditioner. Didn’t want to think about working or even inspecting in 120°F heat.
And how do you joint a big log section? Here is one of Mark’s answers – a router fixture. This is the small one.
Check out the big one.
Then Deb has to resort to mental math to calculate the total of the various clamps available. Answer: You can never have too many.
Mark gets points for ambient air filtration and hearing protection. I’m liking the Delta belt/disk sander. We both liked the kid’s art wall.
Great shop Mark! You passed with flying colors.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and views, and the diversity of your talents. Make sure and visit Mark's website.
Mark go get your Shop Tour Certificate, suitable for posting on the finest website!
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
14 comments so far
Lee A. Jesberger
home | projects | blog
2035 posts in 368 days
posted 313 days ago
Hi Marc;
Sure is alot of wasted space in that shop! Have you ever heard the term “free floating”?
That’s where you simply lay the item in mid air, and it stays there, until your’e ready to use it again.
I haven’t perfected it yet, but when I do I’ll send you an email! (so far it keeps falling on the floor).
Great job to Doug and Ms. Debbie.
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
MsDebbieP
home | projects | blog
10975 posts in 549 days
posted 313 days ago
I was really impressed, Mark. A glorious place to do such glorious work as you do.
(Love the wall of art work).
Well written, once again, Douglas. You are doing a wonderful job!!
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Thos. Angle
home | projects | blog
3246 posts in 351 days
posted 313 days ago
Great shop Mark. MsDebbie, you still look just as cute as you did at my place. Great job gang.
-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon
MsDebbieP
home | projects | blog
10975 posts in 549 days
posted 313 days ago
why thanks Thos. It must be all this fine living I’ve been doing :) You know, 5 star hotels (oops.. don’t tell Martin – he thinks I’m staying at the cheap motels)
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Bob Babcock
home | projects | blog
1809 posts in 475 days
posted 313 days ago
Nice stuff Mark. Nice to see where the magic happens.
You must be getting tired Deb. Great job Doug.
-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org
Karson
home | projects | blog
11542 posts in 789 days
posted 313 days ago
Mark: Great shop, I enjoyed the visit. Douglas thanks for assembling every together. And Debbie thanks for showing up at the picnic and staying around for the visit.
-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com
Douglas Bordner
home | projects | blog
2256 posts in 452 days
posted 313 days ago
Don’t worry Martin.
I stayed at the Pixel Inn in Council Grove. Cost: zero dollars. Getting a look at Mark’s shop: Priceless.
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
MsDebbieP
home | projects | blog
10975 posts in 549 days
posted 313 days ago
Tired? me?? no way.. this is just way too exciting and too much fun :)
Who’s next???? !!!!
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Douglas Bordner
home | projects | blog
2256 posts in 452 days
posted 312 days ago
As my buddy Dorje would say, “Yee haw!”
We are both psyched to tour your facility be it the size of a football field or a one car stall. Send me an e-mail and we will tour it up right. Plus it’s a great impetus for cleaning and organization (Trust me, I need all the impetus I can get!).
Lee,
When you get that free-floating doohickey up and running let me know. Till then I’ll keep the fatigue mats in front of the bench.
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
Mark DeCou
home | projects | blog
1240 posts in 794 days
posted 301 days ago
man, what a mess that place looks like. I stumbled onto this blog, but following back referring page hits on my website. I guess I missed your visit Debbie, but glad you found your way in. What a great bit of photo editing you are doing Douglas, I’m amazed. And how great Debbie is doing by posing in just the right way, makes a fun blog and story…...despite the mess. I sure need more space. Good thing you didn’t find your way inside the old barn where all of the extra stuff and wood is stored. whew.
thanks for stopping in,
Mark
-- Mark DeCou - Kansas Flinthill's Artisan
Mark DeCou
home | projects | blog
1240 posts in 794 days
posted 301 days ago
sorry, double post.
-- Mark DeCou - Kansas Flinthill's Artisan
MsDebbieP
home | projects | blog
10975 posts in 549 days
posted 301 days ago
I didn’t notice the mess—too busy looking out for dangling extension cords I guess :)
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
WayneC
home | projects | blog
5693 posts in 486 days
posted 301 days ago
Mess? It is a working shop.
-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov
Douglas Bordner
home | projects | blog
2256 posts in 452 days
posted 301 days ago
Mark,
You can blame Karson. He let us in when you were not looking.
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.