Name: Mike Fuson
How young are you? 35 but feel like I am at least 50
Physical description:
6' 2’’ 260 pounds of lean mean fat, brown hair green eyes
Where is home?
I live in southeastern Kentucky. Near the Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia tri-state area. I lived here all of my life, except for 8 months in Indiana when I learned I’m a redneck country boy.
Family information:
I have a wonderful wife of nine years, and she is a mental health therapist. I told her when I married her that I was only doing it because I could not afford 117 bucks an hour. We have a two-year-old boy that I think the sun rises and sets on; and two beagles that bark way too much.
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Vocation:
I own and operate a custom kitchen cabinet shop. I worked in a steak house; operated a crane in a scrap yard; built living room furniture; and built mobile homes for several years.
Shop Overview:
I built a new shop close to the house about 4 years ago, it is 32x100. I have 2 miter saws, 2 table saws, 2 bandsaws, 80'' belt sander, disc sander, 2 shapers, 5 dust collectors, planer, 15 or so routers, a molder, and a bunch of gimmicks that I thought would make life easier.
How many lathes do you own? Tell us about 'em.
I started out with a Cheapo from Big Lots department store, I gave 99 bucks for it and they robbed me at that. In the late 90s I got a Nova 3000 and had it for a couple of years, and now I have the big mustard monster, and I'll never need anything bigger than that.
How many turning tools do you have? Store bought; home made; favorites?
Probably 15 or 20. I did make my own captive hollowing system that has made turning much more enjoyable.
How long have you been turning, and what got you started in the first place?
I turned a candleholder in high school and that started the addiction. So, off and on for twenty years, but probably 7 or 8 actual years. I never really got serious about it until I got the Powermatic lathe.
Other than mustard, what's your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Homemade brand cookies and cream
What do you enjoy most about turning?
I guess that would have to be when the finish goes on and I can finally see what the end result is going to be.
What do you enjoy the least about turning
Sanding, of course
What was your first completed turned project? You get bonus points for a picture of it.
Those old high school candleholders.
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Dang funny looking candleholders, Mike.
What’s your favorite individual piece that you have turned, and why?
I was real pleased with the last one that I posted, which was an elm hollow form with a Leopard wood collar. It just turned out the way I wanted it to, and that just hardly ever happens to me.
What’s your favorite form that you turn?
As most of the creekers know I do quite a bit of segmented pieces, they take a lot more time and patience and I am more proud of them, but I don't get as many comments on them? Don't know why.
What do you not turn now that you want to - or plan to - in the future?
Hmmm.... I would like to turn some big honking platters to hang on the wall.
How do you take your Moxie? (Straight up? beer chaser? neat? only when comatose?)
Well, I have never tried it, but if I did I wouldn't chase it with beer, they don't allow that at the church where I pastor. I guess I would just hold my nose and go straight up, then go comatose.
Now that’s my kinda guy!
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Perhaps 
Originally Posted by Andy Hoyt
