Welcome

Welcome to my new blog. 

I established this blog to share woodworking tips and designs, Wood Turning information, Wood Carving projects and designs as well as Scroll Saw patterns and designs.

I am a lifelong woodworker having acquired the addiction in Junior High Wood Shop.  I love the smell of sawdust and seem to be the happiest when I am covered in it.  My wife of 35 years has learned to cope.  To my credit I am pretty scrupulous about keeping my shop(the garage clean and neat).  She also like to be able to give my projects for gifts and always has a list of things I can make for her.

I turned my first project in that wood shop class.  A subject that has pretty much disappeared from today's schools.  I fact that I bemoan loudly and being a retired school administrator, teacher and educational consultant one that I think I am entitled to comment on.  On retirement I dropped the Dr from my name.  But, let me get back to the narrative.  While that was the first experience with a lathe I did not own my own until late 1980's.  My current lathe is a Jet Mini capable of turning up to 10" bowls.   A good fit for me as most of what I turn is small and I like to turn from green wood or found wood (downed trees).  I will be sharing what I have learned from that on this blog.

Carving was something that I had not seriously tried until the early 90"s.  I carved off and on for a number of years but, left it until a few months ago.  I mostly carve angels, Santas, spoons, crosses and walking sticks.  I will be including pictures of my projects as well as plans and instruction on this site to make many of them.  My favorite woods to carve are Aspen, Poplar, Butternut, Basswood and Mahogany.  I have been known to carve anything at hand including mesquite, pear, oak, magnolia and sycamore. I don't like letting tree limbs go to waste.

I got really into scroll saw work in the late 90's but also left it until recently.  I am not a big fan of the overly ornate and often sue my scroll saw in conjunction with my carving especially of spoons.  Most of the patterns I will be posting for use with the scroll saw will be combined with carving.

I will also be posting some general craft patterns that will usually involve wood working, turning, carving or scroll saw work.

Finally I will post information on the tools that I use and what I like about them and what I don't like.  This is strictly subjective and it should be noted that I am not above modifying a tool to work the way that I want it to.

So come and join me and hopefully you will take away information or patterns that you can use.  Till next time be sure to make some sawdust.

Bruce