First post, thought I'd jump in

[T.J. Mahaffey]

After meeting a bunch of great folks at Terry H.'s NW Arkansas WW BBQ and lurking for a week or so I suppose I'll jump in here and sort of introduce myself. (I really enjoyed talking with the likes of great guys like Mark Stutz and Dennis Peacock. Not to mention the fine BBQ provided by our esteemed host, Terry.)

I'm in the last stages of a sort of workshop remodel/build-in-the-first-place. Here's a couple of current shots of my 17x17' basement shop.

http://workshop.tjmahaffey.com/workshop/img/tmp/smc_workshop1.jpg

http://workshop.tjmahaffey.com/workshop/img/tmp/smc_workshop2.jpg

I'm a hand tools-centric galootish hybrid user of power tools when they fall into my lap at ridiculous prices. <grin> Workbench was recently completed and the top flattend *by hand* by me with a Stanley #6c and #5c.

My most recent and best hand tool find to date is this Stanley #10-1/2, Type 1. (Before refurbing...)

http://workshop.tjmahaffey.com/workshop/img/tmp/smc_workshop4.jpg

(... and after:)

http://workshop.tjmahaffey.com/workshop/img/tmp/smc_workshop3.jpg

My flea market and auction luck has been oustanding in the last week or so.

Jet 6" closed-base jointer: $135.

http://workshop.tjmahaffey.com/workshop/img/tmp/smc_workshop5.jpg

Well, I suppose I'll leave it at that for now.
I'm glad to have found Sawmill Creek on the recommendation of the fine folks I met at the BBQ. And looking forward to learning alot around here. :)</grin>

[Tyler Howell]

Welcome TJ.

You got a great taste of SMC talent and good folk if you were at Terry's.
Glad to have you wading in the creek.

[Jeff Sudmeier]

TJ, Welcome to the creek! You have joined a great forum and we are lucky to have you.

[Bob Winkler]

Welcome and thanks for sharing the pics. As you already know, this place has a great bunch of guys and gals. I'd be lost without it.

Bob

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Welcome TJ! It's looks like you've already found the water's fine and have waded right in! With the included photos you'll keep our resident photo cop off you back! Again....Welcome!

[Von Bickley]

T.J.,
Welcome to the Creek. I know you will enjoy visiting with us... :)

[Lee Schierer]

Welcome TJ, I'm sure you will enjoy the creek almost as much as the B-B-Que. One of these days, I'm going to make it out to that one.

We look forward to seeing your work.

[John Gregory]

Welcome to SMC, you will love being part of this community. There are very knowledgable woodworkers here and even more empressive than that, the members here are gentlemen and ladies.

[Roy Wall]

TJ,

Welcome to SMC! There are many experts here (I'm not one of them) to help out! Good looking shop and great REFURB on the 10.5:) Always good to do a little Neandering.........

[Dan Oliphant]

I will echo what John Gregory said, good folks that know how to represent themselves as adults.

[Jason Tuinstra]

TJ, welcome! We like pictures and good deals! Seems like you are going to fit right in!

[T.J. Mahaffey]

Its great to see so many chime in so quickly. You guys sure know how to make a guy feel welcome. :)

A follow-up to my shop pictures:
Its not exactly fancy, but its light years beyond the way it started out in the first few years we lived here. It also used to contain alot of my junk, too. I've cleaned out most of the non-shop related stuff.My li'l shop is absolutely a different place now. A couple of before picts: (Don't look at that miserable craftsman router table inset attempt. I've learned alot since then.)

http://workshop.tjmahaffey.com/workshop/img/tmp/smc_workshop_before1.jpg

http://workshop.tjmahaffey.com/workshop/img/tmp/smc_workshop_before2.jpg

I've documented the whole remodel process on my website here (http://workshop.tjmahaffey.com). See the links under "Shop Remodel".

[John Bailey]

T.J.

Welcome to the "Creek". As someone who worked for years in a 10x12 basement shop, I know you must feel good about getting it organized the way you want it. A "hand tools-centric, galootish hybrid user of power tools" describes me too (And I'll bet many others).

By the way, the pictures of Terry's BBQ seem to show you having as much or more fun than anyone.

John

[Jim Hager]

TJ


Glad to see another Arky in the creek. Seems like there are quite a few of us here. Sorta scattered out but at least we get to be represented. I come down to Hot Springs several times a year with my students to the FFA camp out near Lake Catherine.

Hot Springs is a great place to be from. You should have lots of sources of good materials down there too.

Great looking shop too. I also enjoy flea market finds and go to every available auction that advertises ww machinery. Lots of times it is not much but hey why not go anyway just to watch what sells for what. I got a good lathe from right under your nose last summer. Glad you weren't watching or you probably would have gotten it first.

Welcome!!!!!!!!!!!

[Corey Hallagan]

Ahhh..welcome TJ. After seeing your webpage I recognize yah from elsewhere. I think we did some PM'ing as we bought the same Tablesaw about the same time at Home Depot. Your shop remodel is very nice. I recently went thru a shop remodel as well and you can see my shop at my website:
http://woodshop51503.tripod.com (http://woodshop51503.tripod.com/)
Anyway, welcome to the creek, glad you found your way here!
Corey

P.S. that Jet jointer was one great auction find! And a wonderful price. How does it work, it sure looks great!

[Vaughn McMillan]

Welcome to the Creek TJ. It's a great place to learn and share. I browsed through some of the historical pics on your website...your shop sure has gone though a transformation. We'll be looking forward to seeing some project pics.

You've already met a bunch of Creekers in person, but don't be fooled. Not all of us are as good looking as the Central States bunch. Younger, maybe yes, but not as handsome. :p

- Vaughn

[Mark Singer]

Your a Creeker now! Welcome!

[john whittaker]

I found this place several months ago and have been impressed and gratful for the good advice and friendly tone. So... welcome to the Creek and I'm looking forward to seeing some of your work.

[Michael Pfau]

Nice pictures TJ, post you next project! Love to see it

[T.J. Mahaffey]

...I'm looking forward to seeing some of your work.

That's funny, so am I. :o
I started building my shop exactly a year ago next month. During all that time, I've been working *on* the shop. I haven't yet actually built anything yet. :o However, the first two projects I plan on doing are
1. An under-bench tool cabinet (with drawers for my hand tools)
2. A small chairside table for my mother-in-law. I plan to carve scenes into the side panels of this table as well. I know this is rather ambitious for a first project, but I'm a designer and artist by training (but a 'computer guy' by profession, strangely enough), so my desires and interest tend to lean heavily toward embellishment. (I do appreciate simple, clean design, though, so not everything I do will have such embellishments.)

[Dan Forman]

T J---Welcome to the creek. Nice looking shop you have there. I know what you mean about spending a lot of time in preparation, but not having built much yet, I'm in the same boat.

Dan