Benchmarks, Mentors, and Friends

That is certainly an impressive table with very tight tolerances. Seeing work like that inspires you to improve your own work.

-- You're a unique and special person, just like everyone else.

CNC. Cheater ;-) Great looking desk Todd, thanks for sharing.

-- I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso

It is energizing to know someone of Mike’s caliber and witness their work first-hand.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

That is an awesome piece, and I use that word only with its original meaning, that the object inspires awe. I could very easily see holding Mike up as the benchmark and never really making it there, but enjoying the journey nonetheless.

Kudos to Mike, and thank you for sharing his work with us.

VTWoody,

I am most certainly enjoying the journey.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

Todd;

That’s a fantastic piece alright.

Gee no wonder your so good, being able to hang out with a guy like that.

I have to either read it, or just make it up myself!

Great post.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Very inspiring Todd, I think, if I could, I’d hang with Mike too.

-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com

Heck Todd…Did you have to share this? I’ve been fighting white conversion varnish all morning and am about ready to go drive a manure truck…then I see this. Just about enough to ruin my self esteem…

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

That is a beautiful piece! I love the color and the edge on the top. CNCs’ are a great thing to have available to you…just another weapon in your creative arsenal. The shop I worked in, the owner bought his CNC specifically to do curved and complex pieces..it excels at that. But it’s also great for turning out a kitchen full of cabinet parts, accurate down to 3 decimal places in about a third of the time it would take to hand cut them, with all the rabbits and dado’s cut, and it would even put “peck” holes where the screws would go for the draw slides!

-- David, South Windsor, CT "I love the smell of sawdust in the morning"

Todd, your friend has great talent & I think a lot rubbed off on you.

-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python

You’re no slouch…

Mike’s work is fantastic. I am/have been eagerly looking for someone like Mike to benchmark & hang out with. It would benefit me greatly to have a mentor like that. Many people with that kind of talent are very reluctant to share themselves (in my experience) so it’s nice to know that, somewhere, there are guys who “Share the love ~ Share the knowledge.”

-- Jarrod, Taos, NM http://jzmurphree.wordpress.com/

Wow—- it’s nice to have a “mentor” like that. I highly doubt he considers you a hemorrhoid – but if you are a hemorrhoid with your talent I’m—- well, I’m not sure what I’d be. It’s great that you can hang out at his shop and that you can still get excited about such a neat woodworker. Your excitement about the craft is probably what makes you so good.

-- You can't get a hug from Facebook.

I have run into a few stonewalls during my journey and I decided that I would never treat others that way. It was the people that were kind to me that helped define the way that I wanted to be towards others that are on their quest for woodworking knowledge and skills.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

Todd, the desk is superb! Words don’t do enough to describe it. I see now where hour very high standard comes from.

Thats a nice desk. I am have way self taught and the other half I am learning at school.

-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker

Todd guys like you and Lee are our insperation. I just learn from books and this web sight. The kindness of the skilled craftsmen on this sight means so much to us rookies. Thanks

-- Billp

Too cool.

-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA

I don’t feel quite so bad about bugging you now!

That’s a pretty cool story Todd. That desk is amazing, I see what it is about him that you respect so much. Everybody can use someone to look up to.

-- Check out my new website! http://www.blakeweberwoodworking.com

Awsome desk. Wow!

-- Rusty

Great desk!

Thanks for the post

Callum

-- For wood working podcasts with a twist check out http://thetimberkid.com/

My first reaction was “Now there is a craftsman! One who very rigidly knows his limitations, and seeks an alternative solution.” On the other hand, I’m immersed in a project well over my head, and don’t know enough to admit it!

-- There's no tool like an old tool...

beautifull and verry unique. those collors are unbelievable together. there is a whole array of wood species that i have never dived into and beech is one of them. i have yet to work with it because i was not yet convinced of its beauty. after seeing this piece i am anxouse to use it on a future design.

-- i can do all things through christ who strengthens me

Overwhelming design and beauty ….I have to give him credit just for designing the piece even though I was disappointed to see the CNC mentioned …..but what the heck , I guess if I had access to a new tool that would make my craftsmanship look better and save time in the shop then I would use it as well : ) This is truly an inspiring piece and I appreciate that he and you shared it with us . Thank you , Todd

I do have one question though . Will there be a computer at this desk and if so , where will the wiring be run ? I would hate to see that beautiful top perforated with grommets : (

-- 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 .

impressive, how did he make finish?