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Andy Hoyt
11-09-2006, 9:57 AM
Name: Kurt Rosenzweig

DOB: May 23rd 1960

Physical description:
6"1", ‘bout 210. When I was younger I was told I looked like a good-looking Mick Jagger! Is there such a thing? LOL!

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Where’s home?
I was born and raised in Philadelphia and then moved to the Jersey shore (Cape May) the day I was discharged form the Navy after a 6 year tour in 1985! I’ve always loved to fish and it seemed like the perfect place for me.

Family information:
I meet my wife Linda right after I moved to Cape May. She was a lifeguard at the beach I frequented. The rest is history. We now have three kids. My son Ben 17, Brittany16 and Amanda my 6 year old red head! I still can’t catch that guy! LOL!

Do you have a website:
No. But if anyone out there with the skills is looking for a side job I’d be interested!

Vocation:
I own a small contracting company that does telecommunications work for Comcast

Shop Overview:
Detached 24x24 garage that I built after Linda gave into my whining! She now lovingly refer to it as Dad’s Cave.

How many lathes do you own:
Well I started out with a Ridgid tube lathe that I bought to make some legs for a table I was working on. Man! Did I do some crazy stuff with that POS; and I’m probably lucky to be alive! I guess I got tired of dancing with it and it stepping on my feet so I went right to the PM3520b right after my wife got tired of me whining! Hey! What can I say? Stick with what works. Right?

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How many turning tools do you have? Store bought, home made, favorites?
I probably have about a dozen hand tools including the Scorpion. I guess my favorite is the 3/4" Crown bowl gouge -- very heavy iron! I like doing large stuff and it makes quick work of it!

How long have you been turning, and what got you started in the first place?
I guess I’ve been turning about a year now. I just got hooked from sites like this one.(The Creek is my favorite) Just something about taking a piece of firewood and making an heirloom out of it just amazes me.

What's your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Butter Pecan! What else?

What do you enjoy most about turning?
I love cranking up some oldies or country and turning my worries away. They might still be there when I step out of the cave but for some reason they’re much more manageable.

What was your first completed turned project?
A table leg out of pine. I think I spent about fifty dollars on sandpaper to get rid of the tear out!

What’s your favorite individual piece that you have turned, and why?
A cherry burl platter. I don’t come across too much burl and it has such amazing grain. In fact it is probably the only piece I still own. I give away most of my stuff to family and friends.

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And now, a word from our sponsor

Andy Hoyt
11-09-2006, 9:57 AM
How do you take your Moxie (http://www.hometownfavorites.com/moxie-soda.htm)? (Straight up? beer chaser? neat? with corn flakes?)
Use it as a beer chaser; and to stiffen up mushy punky wood.

Andy Hoyt
11-09-2006, 9:57 AM
What brought you to SMC?
An Internet search. Ever since then my computer has been stuck on it!

What was your first post about? Or don’t you remember?
Nope – but I’m sure it was totally embarrassing.

Actually – you did pretty good (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?p=276153#post276153)!

Do you recall the first thread you started?
Nope – but I’m sure it was totally embarrassing.

In a way – yup. A TOS violation! (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=30523) Tsk tsk

Have you met or hung out with any fellow Creekers?
I did get to go fishing with Bill Grumbine and Mike Cunningham! That was fun! I think everyone should start saving up their frequent flyer miles and have Creeker BBQs!

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What’s your favorite thread on the Creek?
The Mayo Mustard War of June 06 (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=37745)

What’s your favorite form that you turn?
I’m heavy into hollow forms now. I just built myself a steady rest. My kids are still looking for their rollerblades! LOL! I also plan on welding up a captured rig as soon as possible.

What do you not turn now that you want to - or plan to - in the future?
I really want to try some of those inside outs. That finial the Travis made for THE BOX (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=43690) really gave me the bug to learn it. Just as cool as can be!

What’s your favorite form someone else turns/has turned? I’d have to say it’s a piece by Sascha Gast (http://www.pbase.com/saschagast/image/57976099). I just love it.

What’s your favorite wood to work with and why?
Amboyna, but I can’t afford it and Cherry 'cause it grows on trees around here. We have a lot of Cherry in south Jersey

Got any nicknames?
Rosie! Like the football player. Not the flower! First part of my last name.

Now let's get a little deep... If you were a tree, what tree would you be and why?
I’d probably be a pecan tree. 'Cause I always have a bunch of crazy nuts hanging around me! It’s them I tell ya! I swear!

If you won the Irish Sweepstakes what part of your life would change?
The rest of it!

Thanks, Kurt. While you may be one of few words, you’re no slouch when it comes to producing some great looking stuff.

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Andy Hoyt
11-09-2006, 9:58 AM
More stuff.

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Bernie Weishapl
11-09-2006, 10:21 AM
Kurt it is nice to get to know you better. Awesome interview and some beautiful turnings.

Ken Fitzgerald
11-09-2006, 10:50 AM
Kurt.....Nice to know more about you! If you have only been turning for a year........You sure have some natural talent and have honed your skill very quickly! Your turnings are an inspiration!

Tom Sherman
11-10-2006, 9:22 AM
Cool interview Curt, good to know more about you. I like the pen lathe made from the blender novel idea.

Travis Stinson
11-10-2006, 9:53 AM
Great interview Kurt! Your work is fantastic. You make Team Mustard proud! :D

Jim Becker
11-10-2006, 10:12 AM
Very nice interview...and how nice for you to sneak in that "blender-based lathe" picture... :D :D :D

Keith Burns
11-10-2006, 10:54 AM
Nice to know you a little better Kurt. Good interview.:)

Don Orr
11-10-2006, 12:03 PM
A man of few words, but who's work speaks volumes! Thanks Kurt. Good to know you. Were you at Totally Turning with Mike C.?

Mark Pruitt
11-11-2006, 11:13 PM
Enjoyed the interview, Kurt! I was ROFL when I saw the "Blender Lathe"--now that's innovative!:p

Kurt Rosenzweig
11-12-2006, 8:48 AM
Thanks Guys! I can't take credit for that blender think! I'm giving full credit to some guy from Maine. Don! I didn't make it to totally turning! Hopefully next year.

Corey Hallagan
11-12-2006, 12:02 PM
Nice interview Kurt and great to know more about you. I love the blender lathe! You do some beautiful work.

Corey

Dennis Peacock
11-14-2006, 10:57 AM
Great interview Kurt! Your work is fantastic. You make Team Mustard proud! :D

AMEN!!!! Hey....nice to know more about ya Kurt. Keep that mustard machine spinning. :D

Andy Hoyt
11-14-2006, 11:02 AM
...... I can't take credit for that blender think! I'm giving full credit to some guy from Maine....... Oh yes you can! (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=34862):D

Barry Stratton
11-16-2006, 2:20 AM
Great interview Kurt.....THANKS for sharing!

Ed Scolforo
11-17-2006, 7:48 PM
Cool interview, Kurt. Fishing, that's what I love too! Your turnings are beautiful! Thanks for sharing. Ed