Neal

Woodworking is something that I've been doing with my time during the winter months while I'm laid off for the past several years. During the summer months, I sandblast and paint bridges and overpasses for a painting contractor in the Twin Cities. Honestly, I much rather prefer working with wood though. It gives me a sense of gratification to be able to imagine something and be able to create it and have it actually turn out halfway descent. I try not to focus on only one type of project but it seems that I continue to have more ideas that lead me to produce decorative boxes and bowls. Possibly, because I haven't got a huge selection of lumber. I've also built coffee tables and nesting tables. I've even dabbled a little with building a couple of chess boards and pieces to accompany them and they're fun too, but I'm addicted to boxes and bowls. Most of my projects are built from either lumber I've recycled by taking the pallets apart that the paint comes on from work or going through the scrap bin at the local lumber yard. Taking the pallets apart however isn't what I'd say is of my one of my favorite pastimes though. Eventually, I did manage to come up with a system that proved to make that task a little easier and if I can convince myself of that myth it helps me sleep a little better at night...maybe!! My wife did spulrge once and picked me up some wood on the internet from the woodworkers source for our anniversary or my birthday or something, I don't really recall, what guy ever does? It was a nice gesture but I would have never spent that much. I mean I love the hobby but how much they can charge for exotic lumber is truly outrageous. It would be nice though to have a little lumber with some length and thickness. I've got all kinds of ideas off the top of my head that I could put together and build something real nice. As for now, I'll concentrate on just getting the kids through school and keeping the bills kind of caught up.. another myth, huh!! If you'd like to see some of my work you can either see it at etsy.com under jointer4's shop or at my website www.wegnerwoodworkings.com. Sorry I'm not much for patience when it comes to uploading photos on dial-up. Actually, my wife is the one who spent the time setting up my website. Thanks Carol!!! I did however spend some of the time setting up the stuff on Etsy. No really though, my wife has been a huge lifesaver.

-- Neal