Randy Miller
02-28-2003, 10:49 AM
Long time lurker over at the pond, always regretted not posting my bio and contributing more. So, hoping the water's warm, I'm going to jump in the creek....</p>
Short, non-woodworking, bio:</p>
Born and raised in Woburn, MA. When graduating from high school decided that I wanted to get the heck out of the east so I went to Northwestern University out in Illinois. Ended up living in the Chicago area for the next 17 years. Worked as a programmer with a large bank (was called First Chicago, then NBD, now BankOne.) Met my future SWMBO there. After our third child, my wife decided that we should be closer to family so we moved back to Massachusetts and now live in Lexington. Out here I work for another large bank and run a development group for the investment management arm.</p>
Ok, now the woodworking part:</p>
Always been interested in DIY type projects and have messed around with a fair number of tools. When we moved back to MA, my youngest son needed a new bed so we went looking and had serious sticker shock. I casually said to my wife, "You know, when I was in college I had a loft bed and loved it... I could make one for David and we'll give David's bed to Sam" Now, when I said that I was thinking of the kind of loft bed I had in my college days (you know unpainted/unstained pine 2x material, bolted into the walls for stability, some splinters, but who cares.) My wife thought a loft bed was a great idea - her idea was something that was painted, no splinters, rounded edges, and by all means free standing. So started my transition from carpenter to woodworker. Now for something that was built entirely with a router and a skill saw (and lots of hand sanding) it wasn't entirely bad.<br>
Then about 2 years ago I decided to get serious about woodworking, but unsure of what I would need, or of my own commitment I signed up for a woodworking class at the local vocational school. After a few weeks I knew 3 important things:<br>
1. Whatever operation needs to be done to wood there are many ways to do it (try and pick the safest.)<br>
2. I really love woodworking.<br>
3. I really hate waiting for someone else to finish with a machine so that I could then recalibrate it and make my one cut.<br>
So, I started buying some equipment and cruising the message boards. I came upon the Pond when some people were ranting about Wayne in another message board. I didn't really care for that board, so I went over to the pond to see what all the fuss was about. I found a group of folks that all used their real names, all seemed to be having fun talking woodworking (and community), and seemed to be very open to newbies like myself. So, I hung around, lurked, and learned.<br>
With newfound wisdom at my fingertips I started to work on progressively more difficult projects. I really enjoy trying a new technique and seeing if I can get it to work. I've done a couple of pieces I'm pretty happy with, but know I still have a lot to learn. <br>
In December of 2001 I made the mistake of buying the Jet wood lathe 1236, leading me down the death spiral of turning addiction. I started seeing everything different. Every tree would now be evaluated for it's capacity to feed the lathe. My flat stock would be thought of as potential for segmented bowls or scrap blocks for turning. Nothing was (or is) as satisfying as rough turning a block of maple and getting sprayed soaking wet as curls of wood flew in all directions. Projects that were promised languished. Finally, my daughter shamed me into finishing her blanket chest and I realized that I need to enjoy all of the aspects of woodworking.<br>
Last December I decided I needed to improve my space a bit. My shop was a 12' x 12' corner of the basement that was getting too crammed full of scraps and tools. After a well thought out appeal to my wife ( I begged! ) she agreed that the pool table that we never used could be removed and I could have that space. Yeah!<br>
So, since about 30 seconds after she said that, I've been working on rebuilding my shop. The pool table is disassembled and stored away, I put in new dividing walls, installed rough electrical for outlets and surface mounted lighting, and this week the drywall/mud was applied (didn't do this myself.) The final coat of paint goes on today. Tomorrow I begin some of the finish electrical and hopefully within a week or two I'll have the shop back up and running. When I do I'll post a shop tour and gloat!<br>
Since the renovation of the shop has been underway, my "woodworking" has been limited to carpentry and cruising the Pond and WoodCentral. When Wayne decided to close down the forum I was trully bummed! Though I wasn't a frequent poster on the Pond, I always enjoyed the community. I think that Keith has done a great job here trying to keep the community feel and look forward to a more active participation here on the creek.<br>
Warm regards,<br>
Randy
Short, non-woodworking, bio:</p>
Born and raised in Woburn, MA. When graduating from high school decided that I wanted to get the heck out of the east so I went to Northwestern University out in Illinois. Ended up living in the Chicago area for the next 17 years. Worked as a programmer with a large bank (was called First Chicago, then NBD, now BankOne.) Met my future SWMBO there. After our third child, my wife decided that we should be closer to family so we moved back to Massachusetts and now live in Lexington. Out here I work for another large bank and run a development group for the investment management arm.</p>
Ok, now the woodworking part:</p>
Always been interested in DIY type projects and have messed around with a fair number of tools. When we moved back to MA, my youngest son needed a new bed so we went looking and had serious sticker shock. I casually said to my wife, "You know, when I was in college I had a loft bed and loved it... I could make one for David and we'll give David's bed to Sam" Now, when I said that I was thinking of the kind of loft bed I had in my college days (you know unpainted/unstained pine 2x material, bolted into the walls for stability, some splinters, but who cares.) My wife thought a loft bed was a great idea - her idea was something that was painted, no splinters, rounded edges, and by all means free standing. So started my transition from carpenter to woodworker. Now for something that was built entirely with a router and a skill saw (and lots of hand sanding) it wasn't entirely bad.<br>
Then about 2 years ago I decided to get serious about woodworking, but unsure of what I would need, or of my own commitment I signed up for a woodworking class at the local vocational school. After a few weeks I knew 3 important things:<br>
1. Whatever operation needs to be done to wood there are many ways to do it (try and pick the safest.)<br>
2. I really love woodworking.<br>
3. I really hate waiting for someone else to finish with a machine so that I could then recalibrate it and make my one cut.<br>
So, I started buying some equipment and cruising the message boards. I came upon the Pond when some people were ranting about Wayne in another message board. I didn't really care for that board, so I went over to the pond to see what all the fuss was about. I found a group of folks that all used their real names, all seemed to be having fun talking woodworking (and community), and seemed to be very open to newbies like myself. So, I hung around, lurked, and learned.<br>
With newfound wisdom at my fingertips I started to work on progressively more difficult projects. I really enjoy trying a new technique and seeing if I can get it to work. I've done a couple of pieces I'm pretty happy with, but know I still have a lot to learn. <br>
In December of 2001 I made the mistake of buying the Jet wood lathe 1236, leading me down the death spiral of turning addiction. I started seeing everything different. Every tree would now be evaluated for it's capacity to feed the lathe. My flat stock would be thought of as potential for segmented bowls or scrap blocks for turning. Nothing was (or is) as satisfying as rough turning a block of maple and getting sprayed soaking wet as curls of wood flew in all directions. Projects that were promised languished. Finally, my daughter shamed me into finishing her blanket chest and I realized that I need to enjoy all of the aspects of woodworking.<br>
Last December I decided I needed to improve my space a bit. My shop was a 12' x 12' corner of the basement that was getting too crammed full of scraps and tools. After a well thought out appeal to my wife ( I begged! ) she agreed that the pool table that we never used could be removed and I could have that space. Yeah!<br>
So, since about 30 seconds after she said that, I've been working on rebuilding my shop. The pool table is disassembled and stored away, I put in new dividing walls, installed rough electrical for outlets and surface mounted lighting, and this week the drywall/mud was applied (didn't do this myself.) The final coat of paint goes on today. Tomorrow I begin some of the finish electrical and hopefully within a week or two I'll have the shop back up and running. When I do I'll post a shop tour and gloat!<br>
Since the renovation of the shop has been underway, my "woodworking" has been limited to carpentry and cruising the Pond and WoodCentral. When Wayne decided to close down the forum I was trully bummed! Though I wasn't a frequent poster on the Pond, I always enjoyed the community. I think that Keith has done a great job here trying to keep the community feel and look forward to a more active participation here on the creek.<br>
Warm regards,<br>
Randy