Name: Glenn Clabo
DOB: The day before Abe Lincoln…only 141 years later.
Physical description (G-rated, please)
6’2 - 220 lbs – topped off with my natural hair color of flesh tones with highlights of head bump tracks.
Where is home?
Where my skivvies are…which for the last 8 years has been the great little state of Rhode Island. Man I love being near the ocean. I started off in a little town called North Reading in Massachusetts until the Navy jerked me out of my 60’s fog…if you know what I mean. Then, as those in the military learn quickly - don’t unpack the boxes…you’re being transferred. We lived in some very interesting places during the Navy’s 9 plus years. Chicago…Norfolk, VA…Staten Island, NY…and 3 years in Athens, Greece ( have you ever had your car blown up??? I have!). Then after we decided that our kids needed some dad-like attention…I bailed on the Navy…sort of. I interviewed for a job in Washington as the guy in charge of submarine weapons launchers…and got it! So twenty years of 3 hour daily commutes…and the loss of my childhood bride and finding the Dr. LOML bring us to Little Rhody.
Family information (tell us about your spouse, kids, grandkids, dog, etc)
I have been blessed with two wonderful women and two children in my life. As I mentioned above I lost Barb… to breast cancer. As you may be able to understand the loss of someone you grew up…fell in love with…made a life with… was difficult. Then Laurie (aka Dr. LOML…a nurse with a Ph.D.…who is the Director of Undergrads at URI) came into my life…and dragged (sometimes kicking and screaming) me back to enjoying all these things we humans have to live for. Can’t say enough about how wonderful she is. As far as the kids…I got a mirror image of a son…Chad who is in the Air Force in Korea and a daughter…Jamie who has a teaching degree in Childhood Education in Virginia. Dogs? Two labs…Shelby and Chelsea who are just like kids who don’t talk back or have college aspirations.
Vocation (what do you do for a living, and what have you done previously; are you retired?)
Well...for the last 25 years or so…I’m the Program Manager for the Navy’s Submarine Weapons Launching Systems. Before that…at about 12 I went to work (cuz that’s what us old folk did then) for a carpenter a couple of houses down from us. I eventually was the “finish” guy who somehow figured out how to make kitchen cabinets and install all that fancy woodworking trim and stuff. Then…I got bored and decided that working in GE and making tooling was what I wanted to do….so I was selected for the GE apprentice program as an All-Around Machinist. At the end of that…I lost my deferment and Uncle came after me…but I figured I was too big to be shot at so I joined the NAVY.
Shop Overview (size, relationship to house, list of basic tools, woodworking interests other than turning?)
I have 3/4s of the basement…and the double car garage for sheet good sizing. Usual stuff…TS…CS…BS…a wall full of clamps…WoodRat…too many routers…DVR Lathe…6” Jointer…13” Planer…a few hand planes…handsaws…ya know…whatever I can slip into the budget for retirement time.
How many lathes do you own? Tell us about 'em. Even the ones you no longer have. Why did you choose these lathes?
My dad bought me a Craftsman Lathe many years ago so I could build my mom a quilt rack…and I did. However, it was not a pleasant experience…so it sat for many years. Then SMC and a certain someone drew me into the abyss. So DRLOML bought me a DVR for my last birthday.
How many turning tools do you have? Store bought, home made, favorites?
I bought a box of tools…but I’ve also made some of my own. I guess someday I’ll have to use them, eh?
How long have you been turning, and what got you started in the first place?
See above…but I wouldn’t consider myself a “turner” yet. I’m just getting ready to spend my retirement days (couple years) making chips…but really can’t get much time to do that right now. Day job takes up most of my time.
What's your favorite flavor of ice cream?
What ever has nuts…or ice…or cream in it.
What do you enjoy most about turning?
The magic of taking a big chunk of wood and finding out what’s inside of it.
What was your first completed turned project? You get bonus points for a picture of it.
I’d like to say Da Quahog Bonker…but it was the quilt rack.
What is your favorite individual piece that you have turned, and why?
Da Quahog Bonker…cuz I didn’t do it for anyone but me.
Claybow 05.jpg
What is your favorite form that you turn?
I’m really interested in the bowl thing. Maybe because I like peanuts…ice cream…pop corn?
What do you not turn now that you want to - or plan to - in the future?
Hollow forms are in my future…I hope.
How do you take your Moxie? (Straight up? beer chaser? neat? with corn flakes?)
I am one of the few who actually know what Moxie is…and likes it. I’m a straight up kind of guy…like single malts…and local brews.
What is your favorite form someone else turns/has turned?
I have a hard time not being amazed at those thin walled hollow forms.
What is your favorite wood to work with and why?
I LOVE cherry! Period…flat… round…just growing.
Have you met or hung out with any fellow Creekers? Tell us about it.
Well…I actually spent some time with one Andy Hoyt and lived to tell about it. Yes…he is as interesting in real life as he is on this forum. But making me polish the mayo machine was a little much.
Well Geez, Glenn! I mean - you touched her, and everything! Ya even sat on her. Sheesh! Whaddya expect?
I have also spent a day with John Hart. I will never forget the moment we pulled up to his little piece of heaven. All I could think was…It couldn’t happen to a nicer guy…so why do I hate him so much?
I just missed Mr. Grumbine…had to go to sea when he was in the next town over. Someday I’ll visit him and let him try to teach me that turning muscle move.
What is your favorite piece someone else has turned, and why?
Too many to pick one…but if you make me…Mr. and Mrs. Hoyt made a walnut piece that just blew me away. I have a pen from John Hart…but someday I hope to get some of youse guys to give up some of your work so I can display it in our little Cape in RI.
What brought you to SMC?
The Pond dried up…Keith offered a place in the Creek…I took him up on his invite and he hasn’t been able to get rid of me since.
Got any nicknames? How'd you get it?
No nicknames…but until I got out of the Navy nobody called me anything other than “Clabo”. (Clay-bow)
Now let's get a little deep... If you were a tree, what tree would you be and why?
Mimosa…don’t ask in mixed company.
If you won the Irish Sweepstakes what part of your life would change?
What do you get if you win it? I’d settle for a Guinness Stout … but if it’s money…Not a lot…maybe a 67 Vet and a little cabin in Maine.
And here are some more pics: Starting with proof that he actually sat on Janine.
Claybow 01.jpg
And some more goodies.
Claybow 02.jpg Claybow 03.jpg Claybow 04.jpg
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Originally Posted by Andy Hoyt
