| Project by chamoruboy | posted 771 days ago | 797 views | 1 time favorited | 7 comments |  |
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Been busy over the summer. Got a bit more serious with my woodworking hobby and started building my woodshop up. I got a lot of requests to purchase the coconut shredders that I make and I decided that I wanted to add carvings. I knew that I couldn’t turn out stuff quick enough by hand and everything I ever carved by hand, I did not want to part with anyways.
So I figured I’ll get me a compucarve from Sears that way I could add carving to pieces and not feel so sentimental about selling them. When I was doing the research on the compucarve I was impressed but I was blown away when I stumbled on this thing called a laser engraver.
After I got the most expensive toy I’ve ever had ($17,000.00 – it belongs to me and my bank, ha ha ha!) I decided that I had to find a way to make it pay for itself. I’m still playing with the thing and learning new stuff every day and having a blast.
My wife and I got ourselves a business license and we have done very well selling at special events and through our online store.
http://chamoruboy.com/store.htm
This is a party caddy made with mahogany with bamboo used for the cradle that holds the plates. “Hafa Adai” is the Guamanian equivalent of “Aloha”
It is the first model and will continue to evolve. I use screws for now instead of any other type of jointery because the demand is too great for me to do anything more elaborate (and I don’t yet own a Festool Domino). Also, these things get lugged around quite a bit by the customer so the joints need to be durable and stand up to abuse.
-- Greatness is not found in possessions, power, position, or prestige. It is discovered in goodness, humility, service, and love.
7 comments so far
WayneC
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5968 posts in 990 days
posted 771 days ago
Wow. What a machine. The output is great though. I always liked Guam. I used to fly through there very often when I was in the Air Force.
-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov
MsDebbieP
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14156 posts in 1054 days
posted 771 days ago
great project
.. unbelievable toy.. I mean investment!!!
and congrats re: business venture.
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Napaman
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3482 posts in 970 days
posted 770 days ago
beautiful products!!! what is a Latte Stone? Is this an item important to island culture? I teach on the mainland and once in a while have students from Guam…they always miss home…
-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...
chamoruboy
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128 posts in 901 days
posted 770 days ago
Thanks Wayne, Debbie, & Napaman.
A Latte Stone (pronounced lattie, unlike the coffe drink) is unique to Guam and the Mariana Islands chain. Our homes were built on rows of them. Some were as tall as 15 feet and extremely large. most were about 6 feet tall and some as low as 4 feet tall. It is a very important cultural symbol. It is on the flag of the island of Saipan, our cousins to the north.
You can see a picture on my website of a “Guma’ Uritao” or special long house where the adolescent males were taught the skills to transition onto manhood.
-- Greatness is not found in possessions, power, position, or prestige. It is discovered in goodness, humility, service, and love.
Karson
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25792 posts in 1294 days
posted 770 days ago
Good luck on your new business. A great job and design.
-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
CharlieM1958
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7611 posts in 1111 days
posted 770 days ago
Looks good! Good luck with the business.
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
Christian
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14 posts in 991 days
posted 762 days ago
Very nice man! My dad has made a few projects similar to this for fiestas and other family parties. I like your design because it holds everything you need in one package.