Name:
Ernest William Nyvall
DOB/Age:
10-7-1953/ I'm 52
Physical description (G-rated, please):
5' 9", 180 lb., I have a very long face which extends to the back of my head. I once had blonde hair and green eyes... I still have green eyes.
Location (for how long, previous locations, etc):
Dayton, TX for about 14 yrs. Before that 2 yrs in Memphis, TN, and before that various places in Texas.
Family information (brag on your spouse, kids, grandkids, dog, etc):
I'm now married nearly 20 years to the most wonderful and thoughtful woman in the world... sorry guys, but I got her. I adopted her 13 yr old after we married and I have two children from a previous marriage. We have three grandchildren... all boys and we keep one every weekend.
Vocation (what do you do for a living, and what have you done previously):
I've been driving an eighteen wheeler for about 16 years and training new drivers for about 13 yrs locally in Houston, TX. Before that I had a little remodeling business for a few years. Before that I spent seven years getting companies up and running on computers with their inventory form purchasing through manufacturing and shipping. That was fun, because the companies I went to were all screwed up with the IRS on their tales for loosing inventory.
Equipment Overview (lathe, tools, etc):
Lathes, 10" table saw, 14" bandsaw, 24" drum sander, 10" sliding compound double jointed miter saw, 9" drill press, 17" drill press, 8"x 75" jointer, 6" x 48" jointer, 12" planer, 13" planer/moulder dust collector... collecting dust, 3hp compressor, 1 hp compressor, 12" disc sander, oscillating spindle sander, various hand tools, 12" metal chop saw, 225 A welder, cutting torches
How many lathes have (or do) you own? Tell us about 'em.
I have two lathes. I bought the Grizzly 1495 a year ago and I wasn't happy with it for what I wanted to do, and a couple of months ago, I bought the PM 3520A, which I am very happy with.
How many turning tools do you have?
About 12
Tell us about your shop:
The shop is a 40' x 40' metal building...hot hot hot in the summer. I've got a lot of work to do on it. The previous owners left a lot of junk in there which I kept for them until this last year when I started getting back into woodworking. I reworked the electricity once but need to upgrade with the tools I now have. There are still a couple of small rooms in it that I will take out and then cinder block the whole thing and add more ventilation. I've got many cabinets to build.
Website? If so, what's the url?
No
How long turning?
13 months, although I did turn 8 legs for a couple of tables back in high school.
What got you into turning?
I've always wanted a lathe, but it was you guys here at SMC who took me over the edge and completely to the dark side.
What do you enjoy most about turning?
There's something cool about taking a piece of wood that looks like scrap or firewood and making something out of it. The look on my brother's face when I brought him a bowl from his firewood pile was priceless.
What was your first completed turned project?
AN cherry bowl 2"x8".
What is your favorite form that you turn?
One that is completely in tact when I finish. I haven't covered that many different forms and each new one that I complete is my favorite.
What is your favorite form someone else turns/has turned?
Oh gosh... here on SMC, I've seen beauty in what looks to be a simple bowl to the most complicated NE or segmented piece.
What is your favorite wood to work with and why?
I just haven't used that many different kinds however I really like the eucalyptus... easy turning and easy sanding. I do like the the mesquite too though because of it's stability.
Have you met or hung out with any turning' Creekers? Tell us about it.
Brad Schmid came over for a little while and we traded some wood. Nice fellow Brad.
What is your favorite individual piece that you have turned, and why?
A NE walnut bowl that I just finished because LOML liked it so much.
What if your favorite piece someone else has turned, and why?
There is no way I could pick one out of the many wonderful pieces I've seen here.
What do you not turn now that you want to - or plan to - in the future?
I haven't scratched the surface yet.
What brought you to SMC?
What brought me here was a hint on another forum. What keeps me here is the civil interaction among everyone and friendship.
Got any nicknames? How'd you get it?
No
Now let's get a little deep... (this is for fun, so have fun with it).
If you were a tree, what tree would you be and why?
That would be a redwood, but now that I am a tree, I can't tell you why, because I can't talk or think. When I was a kid on vacation with my family, we went through the Redwood National Forrest several times. You have to see i to believe it... the trees are just that amazing.
Reply With Quote
Somewhat crazy, but phenomenal. 
Originally Posted by Ernest William Nyvall
