Charles Neil Passing

[Dan Rude]

I just saw on Lumberjocks that Charles Neil passed away today. I was always referencing him to answer questions for my self and others. RIP Charles. My condolences go out to his family and friends for their loss. Dan

[Bill White]

Another great fellow member of our fraternity gone. He'll be missed.

[Tom M King]

I saw his tools up for sale a few weeks ago on Craigslist. He gave woodworking a lot. RIP

[Terry Wawro]

So sorry to hear about Mr. Neil. He was a talented man who gave advice generously. He will be missed by the woodworking community.

[George Bokros]

Deepest sympathy to his family. He was wealth of knowledge and shared it freely. He will be missed.

[Jim Kountz]

Had the great pleasure of meeting him and touring his shop a few years back. Great guy and would talk shop for days if you let him!
RIP

[Bryan Lisowski]

Sad to hear this. I only spoke to him once, I had asked a finishing question several years ago over on LJ and a few comments weren't real friendly towards me and Charles didn't like that a newer woodworker was treated that way. Anyways we spoke on the phone he answered my question and gave me 90 day access to his paid subscription to keep learning. Didn't need to, but always stuck with me that a man with such knowledge was willing to share with a complete nobody. RIP Mr. Neil.

[Al Launier]

I never heard of Charles Neil until I just now read a reference to one of his videos on another thread here "What should I do with this hairline crack in cherry wood?". I was immediately impressed with his solution to this crack problem, could see he was an exceptionally experienced craftsman, and that he enjoyed helping other woodworkers.

I saved his site (www.antiquesbuiltdaily.com/woodwork.htm) and planned on viewing his videos. That, unfortunately appears to be no longer an option. I'm sorry to hear of his passing; I'm sure he enabled many woodworkers to improve their skills and enjoyment of the craft; and I'm sure he will be missed. My condolences to his family and to those who knew him.

[Dave Zellers]

This is just so sad to hear this. Over my years as a self employed carpenter / cabinetmaker, there were a small handful of people that had a huge impact in helping me by adding to my knowledge base. Charles was one of them. I learned a number of different woodworking technics from watching his videos but purchasing his DVD’s ‘It’s All About the Color’ and ‘Finishing A to Z ‘, took my work to a much higher level.


I was hired by a steady client to build a large mantel, with a requirement that it be finished to match the antique furniture in the room. And by match, she meant really match. I had already bought and watched those DVD’s and so with this job, I went back and watched them again. I had never used dyes or even shellac before but I then bought 3-4 different brown dyes as well as stains and unwaxed shellac. I spent almost a week playing around with different combinations and applications labeling all the samples and keeping copious notes. I used poplar for the wood and the final result was quite possibly the most satisfied client I ever had. Some of the furniture was well over one hundred years old but the mantel blended into the room unobtrusively even tho it was brand new. I was able to do that only because of the knowledge that he had learned and took the time to pass on.

[Dan Rude]

I just saw his family and friends started a Go Fund Me page to cover his Medical expenses for his illness. I just donated, https://www.gofundme.com/f/charles-neil039s-medical-expenses Thank You, Dan

[Roger Chandler]

I knew Charles personally, and have been to his shop, and he also demonstrated finishing for the two turning clubs I am a member of. His shop and business is about 4 miles from me as the crow flies. Charles knew more about woodworking and furniture design than many people credit him for. He was truly a master woodworker. If you visited his shop, you would be awed by the shear volume of projects he had going at one time. All in various stages of completion. Truly impressive.

I got his series on Finishing A-Z on DVD.......so glad I did. He will be missed!

[Bill Lyman]

My condolences to his family. I am terribly sorry to learn of his passing. I have watched two of his video series which were excellent and added to my understanding and skill.