This morning I had the honor of meeting famed LumberJock member Thos. Angle and his lovely wife Carleen. They are just as genuinely nice in person as they are online.
We did not have much time to visit this morning as they are just heading back to Oregon. They will have to make a couple of trips to complete their move to Wyoming. They will be about 2 hours away so I am sure that we will have more opportunities to get together. Everything within 2 hours is considered local in Big Sky Country.
The visit was short and sadly, they did not get to meet my wife Rita because she was at work. But Thos. and Carleen got a tour of the shop and my projects. Now Thos. can vouch for what a hack that I am;) I was quite flattered by the nice things that he said about my work and the fact that he immediately recognized the pieces. I was also excited to show off my Shea Handplane and Leaf Box by Blake.
Well I look forward to Thos. and Carleen visiting again and them getting to meet Rita instead of just me and the dogs. So until then Thos. – Travel Safe.
Peace, Love, & Woodworking
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com























18 comments so far
Russel
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2061 posts in 835 days
posted 271 days ago
Way Cool.
-- Working at Woodworking www.VillageLaneFurniture.com
Scott Bryan
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20707 posts in 718 days
posted 271 days ago
Wow!!! This makes me wish I lived closer to Billings— almost!!! :)
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
David
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1982 posts in 1035 days
posted 271 days ago
Todd -
Great story and a great photo! I like this photo of Thos btter than his LJ avitar. Please give him my best next time you get a chance to visit.
David
-- http://foldingrule.blogspot.com
MsDebbieP
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14160 posts in 1057 days
posted 271 days ago
what an honour – for both of you.
Gosh it is so wonderful to hear about LJ’s meeting. It makes this all “real”!
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
littlecope
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595 posts in 398 days
posted 271 days ago
Great Pic, Guys!! Try to cheer up though, willya?! :-) MC
-- Mike in Manchester, NH---Unpleasant tasks are simply worthy challenges to improve skills.
mrtrim
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1698 posts in 776 days
posted 271 days ago
todd , you got all the luck !!! lol
cabinetmaster
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8590 posts in 454 days
posted 271 days ago
That’s great for you both to meet. Hope you have many more meetings. And yes MsDeb…........ this does make it all real.
-- Jerry--A man can never have enough tools or clamps
Blake
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2760 posts in 770 days
posted 271 days ago
When are you guys gonna make it down to California?!? Glad to see two great woodworkers come together.
-- Check out my new website! http://www.blakeweberwoodworking.com
Douglas Bordner
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3424 posts in 960 days
posted 271 days ago
I agree with David, Thos. looks way more full of P and Vinegar, and much younger than in his avatar.
Thos. already sent me an e-mail suggesting that with you and Rita up there as well this should be enough impetus to get off the dime and visit. Pam is already psyched to travel up north to make it a three couple meet and greet, or even get some time on horseback. She’s a large animal Vet’s daughter and went to school a few undergrad semesters in Montana.
We were going to try and hit San Fran-Eugene-Portland and end up visiting Dorje in Seattle last year just before the gas hike hit, so I agree a closer LJ vacation would be a blast.
Todd you’re looking fit and well. Jumping off perfectly good rocks seems to suit you… although that Aussie-style rappelling made me wince to watch. I’m too much of a flat-lander (grin).
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
Todd A. Clippinger
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5648 posts in 995 days
posted 271 days ago
Doug, you are not obligated to jump off of the rock but there are some great trails to walk on top of the rims with some great views over the Yellowstone Valley. You can see several mountain ranges from on top of the rims.
If there is anybody that looks like they have been steeped in the western culture it is Thos. You can tell he is a worker, that man has a serious set of sandwich clamps on him.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
Peter O
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1023 posts in 770 days
posted 271 days ago
I’ve also had the privilege of meeting Thos. and he is really a great guy. I’m sorry to see him moving away from these parts, but I’m glad to see he’s already making new friends!
-- http://www.north40custom.com -- http://north40studios.etsy.com --
Thos. Angle
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4013 posts in 858 days
posted 270 days ago
Alright you bunch of knuckleheads, I knew that danged Todd would stick that sorry picture on here!! Actually the pleasure was all mine. If you get a chance to meet Todd, you will understand what I mean. We had a great chat, although way too rushed. Todd’s pieces are even more refined and impressive when you have them under your hands. Great craftsmanship and super finishing. The designs show even more finese in the flesh than in photos. I was very impressed. He also has a great shop. Sorry to miss Rita, but I’m sure we will get together in the future. Todd informed us that Billings has a symphony and they know the conductor. That alone is reason for an over night in Billings. 2 more trips and we are moved.
PS, according to the people of Billings, Todd is the best HANDIMAN in town. LOL
-- Thos. Angle
Todd A. Clippinger
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5648 posts in 995 days
posted 270 days ago
D’OH! You caught the post. I thought that I could slide it in under the radar.
I better set things straight, I realized after you left that when I said “director” you would think “conductor.” We know the business director for the symphony. Anyway we love the symphony and going to the ABT. The great thing for us is that downtown Billings is just a stone’s throw away.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
Todd A. Clippinger
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5648 posts in 995 days
posted 270 days ago
I have to get going, we are going to Chico Hot Springs and Bozeman for the day. The Banff Film Festival is playing in Bozeman tonight. It is the Radical Reels Tour featuring several high energy mountain sport films. LOVE IT!
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
dennis mitchell
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3790 posts in 1210 days
posted 270 days ago
Montana sure is a lucky state to have such fine craftsmen.
-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com
Todd A. Clippinger
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5648 posts in 995 days
posted 270 days ago
It is amazing how many talented craftsmen there are in Billings. I am near the bottom of the list for talent in the “fine craftsmen” category. I am just chasing after the other guys.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
Grumpy
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14926 posts in 747 days
posted 266 days ago
Sounds like a great meeting Todd & Tom
-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python
Douglas Bordner
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3424 posts in 960 days
posted 263 days ago
Sandwich Clamps…ROTFL!
BTW I get vertigo playing Mario 64. I thought I had arrived when I was able to gut it up enough to drive the coastal highway in Oregon and cross the long bridges without wearing astronaut diapers. I’ll look up and wave. :^D
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.