Earle Wright

Like many of you, I have dabbled in woodworking all my adult life. I have always dreamed of a detached shop, rather than the garage or basement shop I've had in every residence. Several years back, I decided to pursue that dream, not knowing exactly how I would achieve it, but knowing fully that I would never achieve it without moving toward it.

I had the opportunity 1-1/2 years ago to sell my five acres for a handsome profit, pay off my mortgage and home equity loan, purchase new property, move my house to the new property, and build the shop I've dreamed about. Somewhat concurrent with this I was let go from my job as the manager of an electrical engineering department for a local manufacturer. Being single and having seen my son through college, I suffered shock and awe for about ten minutes, whereupon I realized that the time was ripe to make a go of it as a woodworker.

Realizing several gaps in my knowledge and skill base, especially in the use of traditional handtools, I have taken a number of courses from some well-known and some not-so-well-known woodworkers over the last year and a half.

I began my Sole Proprietorship last October 1, and am now two months short of sixty years old. My new shop is nearing completion, and, at around 1900 sq. ft., is just slightly larger than my house (that would have been a dead giveaway to being unmarried, had I not already told you!). Another giveaway that I live alone is the jib hoist mounted to the back of my brick house (see Buddy icon). I've been told by men and women alike that hanging a jib hoist on the house is 'Verbotten!' except for men who live alone. BTW, the saw that's hanging in the air is an open-frame Baxter D. Whitney 14-16 inch table saw. Don't be fooled by the "open frame" into thinking the saw doesn't weigh anything. It's deceptively heavy.

Which brings me to my other hobby . . . . restoration of old woodworking equipment. I love to find old equipment for a steal, especially if it looks bad, tear it down to the frame, and bring it through full restoration to "like new" condition, or as far beyond that as time and obsessive-compulsive behavior allow.

Thanks to those of you who have welcomed me to the site. As time permits I will upload some pictures of my work, the new shop, and some of my equipment.

-- Earle Wright, Lenoir City, Tennessee