This is my 1st attempt at becoming a woodworker "Blogger". I am a journeyman carpenter by trade and not afraid to tackle any and all carpentry related projects. In the past I have worked on residential homes, commercial buildings, shopping centers, condo/apartments and schools. I am at present just a woodworker doing what I really enjoy. That is, working in my shop (my garage) on projects that I pick. I would like to finish my working career as a fulltime woodworker making furniture for my family and others. I don't think I will get rich but I hope life will be a little less stressful and much more fullfilling. Thirty six years ago I built a rolltop desk. I was self taught. I thought that because I was a carpenter apprentice I could build anything because I had the tools. I was young and ambitious. I was also wrong and didn't know it. I still have the desk. It's a little crude in ways but it was an honest attempt. Some things I did right and it gave me the courage to do more. Last year I was finally able to work along side a very good furniture maker and more specifically, someone who would teach me how to build a rocking chair inspired by the ever so humble Sam Maloof. It was the best 2 weeks spent on a project. I was both excited and nervous. I knew my way around woodworking tools and machines so wasn't worried about the tool part but I didn't know the "joinery" part. I know terms like rafters, joists, decking, stucco, drywall, roach coach, porta potty, sore back etc etc. For the past few months I have been visiting woodworking forums. Places where others with the same interest can go and discuss projects or whatever. I mostly just read what others posted. A few have expressed an interest in learning how to make a Maloof style chair. They look very pleasing to the eye and to the touch. Sam Maloof passed away this past June. I was lucky enough to meet him this spring. What a wonderful person he was. I came away from his home with a very positive feeling as I discovered I was doing some of the same things Sam did. I made and sold another chair in the meantime and also entered my first chair in a woodworking competition which I am happy to report earned an Honorable Mention.
If after reading my blog you decide to build a rocking chair, then I have succeeded in doing what Sam would do and that is spreading his knowledge, tricks and time saving methods so others could learn from his mistakes and enjoy building furniture as much as he did.
This first posting took awhile so I'm calling it a day.
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