Introduce Yourself Latest Topics

Hello from the Pacific Northwest (Seattle) — vintage hand tool restorer

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 20:23:08 +0000

Hi everyone
I'm Mark, based in the Pacific Northwest. I've been restoring vintage hand tools for a couple of years now, mostly screwdrivers, hand planes, and the occasional knife that follows me home from an estate sale.

My focus tends to be on the full restoration — rust removal, handle refinishing with Fiebing's leather dye, BLO, shellac, and Renaissance Wax — getting tools back into working condition and looking like they have some life left in them. I document everything at thetoddmark.com, partly to share and partly because I have a terrible memory.

Currently obsessed with Perfect Handle screwdrivers and just picked up a Stanley No. 5½ that's been waiting patiently on the bench.

Recently purchased a DC Power Supply (Variable, 0-32V 0-10A Switching Bench Power Supply) to be able to do some electrolysis rust removal and then some electro-plating (both are new to me but, excited to dive in!)

Happy to be here - looking forward to learning from everyone!
---Mark

Introduction

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 23:14:48 +0000

I recently joined the forum as the proud new owner of a used Delta P-20 Scroll Saw. I'll be picking it up from its former owner this coming Wednesday. I've never owned a scroll saw, so thought joining here might be a good way to start and get some advice from all the experts. I've been mostly focused on woodturning and am a member of two clubs in the Metro Portland, OR area. My vision is to use the scroll saw as a tool to enhance my turning work. I have a vision of creating some small bowls in the shape of maple, oak and other Pacific Northwest tree leaves. That said, now that the used scroll saw will soon be in my shop I think the first step will be to go through it top to bottom to make sure everything is right with it. I might be asking for some ideas as I do that. Then I hope to be off to the races. The first piece of maple is laying on my workbench ready to be turned and shaped.

In the meantime I thought I would post a few pics of some of my recent work on the lathe along with the Google Gemini AI enhanced photos I've created. One of the turning clubs does a monthly Show & Tell event using a Zoom meeting format. We send in pictures to our facilitator with some basic information about species, finish, size, techniques, etc.. He then assembles them in a presentation that he shares during the Zoom event and we each talk about our work and answer questions. It's a lot of fun and I am capable of taking fairly decent pictures, but finding the Gemini system has really opened a door to some fun stuff. Anyway, here's some of that work...

Regards,

Vern

Introduction

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 10:37:34 +0000

I hope I do this right! My name is Ken. I live in Winder, Georgia. 76 Years old. Served U.S. Navy 1969 to 1973. I was AMS3 (Aviation Structural Mechanic.) I worked on the P-3 Orions.....sub hunters!

I am semi-retired and love doing wood working, hunting and fishing. I am trying to do a few small things that might allow me to be able to sell to help make ends meet. I only have very basic, inexpensive tools but I try. I have seen some BEAUTIFUL work here in the gallery! I am a little embarrassed to post any of my stuff but, I was told I should. I am not very high tech so let's hope I do this right! Here goes.....

Saying Hi

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 17:19:45 +0000

I'm a retired 61 year old, I worked for 20 years at the local Sheriff's dept and moved on from there to a district school support system specifically I worked in the computer tech services in northern NY area. Very nice place to live if you can afford it. I have been wood turning most of my life starting in high school and off and on since then mostly spindle unutil the last few years when I took up bowl turning. Looking forward to conversing with members and ofcourse asking for some pointers.

Hello and Question

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 17:39:37 +0000

Hello everyone! Been really enjoying turning a few pieces. I am looking to buy a McNaughten Center Saver system. Where is the right place to post a "Wanted to Buy" listing?

Thanks!

George Shaw

I'm Baaack!

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 22:01:23 +0000

The update bounce me out and I had to install more memory AND do a system update. Thankfully my neighbor understands all this.

Now I have to catch up.

FlGatorwood returns

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 04:10:22 +0000

Hello. Finally remembered the name of this forums. It's been a about 4 years. She was in hospice for 3 years. So far, I have been cleaning and downsizing. I don't wish that on anyone. I am going to try to come back for the time I have left.

But, I will try to be here, to offer any information or experience. I have many projects to execute before it gets hot. So, cleaning days will be limited to windy and rainy days. On good weather days, the Shopsmith and I will be humming along on a project. So, Hello folks. Just a quick browse around the forums, some familiar names, some new names and some missing names. So, I will now get to work.

Hello from North Texas

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 12:27:04 +0000

Good morning!

From the Pothole roads of Van Alstyne.

Was a woodworking guy for some 17 years, dropped out for a lomg time.

Started back, slowly in 2023 and ramped up much more this last year.

Enjoy turning of Coyote calls. Looking forward to learning more of turning other items.

Progress is still pretty slow, but getting there.

Found this forum a while back, when getting an Easy Turn tool.

Saying Hello

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 13:49:27 +0000

Hello everyone, you could say woodworking runs in the blood, my Grandpa and Dad were woodworkers. Likely further back into the gene pool as well... I remember my Grandpa's narrow shop running the length of his garage and my Dad's shop which he ran a furniture repair business out of. With that said I was too young for them to hand down their skills and knowledge before they passed. But I do have some of their tools, my Grandpa's Iron King table sander (60 yrs old?), my dad's Craftsman bandsaw (50 yrs old?) and some other hand tools. I've dabbled for the past 40 years or so woodworking but am finally getting a functional, dedicated workshop set up. Stumbled into a great deal and purchased a shop of Delta/Rockwell tools and a few others and a forest of wood! This was a definite upgrade to my Grandpa's and Dad's tools and a smattering of other tools I've acquired along the way. Retirement is still a few years away after 20 yrs active duty and 22 yrs (so far) as a govt contractor. So, for now, I'm doing small projects like the antler mounts I made for family members for Christmas and other small items. I'd like to try some fly fishing nets and other related items, and of course whatever my wife throws on the to make list..... Located just North of Dayton Ohio.

Looking forward to learning from everyone on here!

Checking in

Sat, 27 Dec 2025 03:50:28 +0000

So I don’t know how long, but it’s been a while. So I’m gonna kinda just fill in what’s been happening. The Missus fell down the stairs end of June, broke a bone in her foot, wasn’t a straight break, hasn’t healed yet, been on a bone stimulator for the last 3 months, we go back to the orthopediatric doctor Jan 2. She’s a type 1 diabetic, and they have said they really don’t want to do surgery on the foot unless they have to. It’s her right foot, couldn’t drive till mid October, and I’m still doing all the laundry/cleaning/shopping. Starting in May they diagnosed her with bronchitis, 4 different times, till they figgered out it was asthma. Our FSA ran out in May, we had the max amount. My V.A. Physical in April showed an A1C of 6.8, I had a physical with my civilian PCP iNovember 6, and had gotten it down to 6.1, gotta keep working on it (I know it’s gone up the last 4 weeks of the holiday season ) Had an echocardiogram June 6, it didn’t go well, but the earliest they could set me up with a cardiologist was Oct 28. I have a stenodic aortal heart valve, but the Doc says it’s not time to worry yet, but get the darn numbers where they need to be! The kid and his fiancée are planning a wedding Nov 2026, and passed papers on a house in the town next door the Friday before Thanksgiving. A friend at work , and his wife,had bought a house in August, and I had been working there with my limited free time, now he’s on hold and I’m at Trevor and Kays house weekends. On October 9, while at work I was right behind a woman at a RR crossing who for some reason after stopping, with the gates coming down, pulled onto the tracks. Vehicle was struck by a freight train. Which caught it and dragged it into some steel bollards that were there, and SHREDDED the car. I was pretty convinced I had just watched somebody get killed in front of me. Somehow she was alright! They medflighted her into Boston and she was released on the 11’th. She was 84 tears old. Al mighta saw it, it made some of the news stations, the pizza place had security cameras which recorded the event. They sent me home from work, I was that shook up. I’m 65 and have never seen anyone get killed right in front of me. In the last 5 weeks I have made 3 Kissmas Trees,and 8 shelves for the kids two bathroom closets. The shelves were made from 3/4 Walnut veneered plywood, and I edge banded for the first time. Was pretty cool. That’s pretty much been all the time I’ve had in the shop this year. Doesn’t look like my time is gonna free up too much for the next couple months, anyways. So I hope everyone’s turkey day was good, Merry Christmas to everyone, and Happy New Years to all.

Time to say hello

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 14:00:47 +0000

Just thought I would say hello and introduce myself.

I am 81 years old and retired from law enforcement. I started my career in Buena Park California has a police officer but soon moved back to my home town of Folsom California where I joined the police department and later became a Detective. Prior to retiring I obtained a job with the California Correctional Department, Folsom State Prison, from which I retired. I have been married to the same lady for 65 years. We moved to Oregon in 2012 and here I shall stay. My first woodworking project was a doll rocking carriage made from 103 pieces of oak end cut scraps I got free from a local cabinet shop. That was the start and 55 years later I still try to continue with new projects. My latest being a 4 handle guill lever for one of my Shopsmiths which was converted to a decated drill press. I am now working on a storage shelf for my new Shopsmith 510.

A big HOWDY from Tennessee, y'all!

Sat, 13 Sep 2025 03:56:57 +0000

Good evening, everyone!

Inherited Shopmith

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 18:38:57 +0000

Hello, I have started doing some woodworking in my garage. Nothing real detailed.
I inherited a shopsmith and all the accessories and instructions and advertising. I tried looking it up and am getting several different articles with wildly different answers. Can anyone tell me any more about it? The model reads model number ER but when I ask about the specific serial number they tell me it is a mark v. Serial number 26953. What can anyone tell me about it and about what it is worth?

Hello from N.E kansas

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 12:57:39 +0000

Found this site a time back and have been following (and enjoying) ever since and thought it was about time to introduce myself. I am a self taught woodworker of about 25 years that fell down that slope called wood turning about 15years ago and never looked back. I retired about 5 years ago and am finally able to spend less time in the shop than i would like. Guess I've about said enough for now so thanks for this site and the opportunity to learn and share.

Hi there from MrRick

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 23:00:49 +0000

Hi all! I'm new to The Patriot Woodworker. I joined a couple of hours ago today. I'm a retired Mechanical Engineer and love woodworking. For me it's the joy in the journey!

Thanks

MrRick

Greetings From The Cornfields of Iowa!

Sun, 02 Nov 2025 14:20:28 +0000

Good Morning! I am Jake, retired after a long and storied career in public service. For the first time in my adult life, I’m not “making a difference”. That, I find, is quite difficult for me.

My dad and both grandfathers were carpenters. When my dad wanted to teach me his trade, I was too busy drinking and chasing women. Then I got smart and only chased drinking women.😂 Needless to say, he went to his grave with his wisdom and knowledge. All I got was an empty wallet. I have been self taught for the most part, still have all my fingers and only a couple of bruises from doing stupid stuff with power tools.

in 2020, after moving to our “forever home” in my wife’s hometown, I had the Amish construct my dream workshop. They built the shell on a full foundation. It is 24x32x10’ tall. I did the garage door, insulation, wiring, walls, ceiling, lighting and HVAC. For the most part, there is very little I would change in the design. It has plenty of natural light. It houses my cabinet saw, surface planer, jointer, dust collector and my newest tool, a CNC machine.

I took a good look around this forum before joining it. People here seem genuine, kind and very helpful. The projects posted were very nice and the community quite friendly.

i look forward to learning and being a productive member of this community.

Jake

New from SW Missouri

Sun, 26 Oct 2025 19:37:25 +0000

New member of the site and wanted to say hello.

I started woodworking about 10 years ago after buying a miter saw to install some laminate flooring in our home. I enjoyed that challenge and then moved on to simple projects – a TV and stereo stand for our kitchen, a seat with shoe storage and place to store dog food in our mudroom, and a wood storage box. These were all built from cheap boards from Lowe’s as I had no idea on wood quality or hardwood options. Ironically, these projects are all still solid, and although not high level craftmanship, were the best I could do with the tools I had at the time.

Since that point, I have added so many tools (what Valentine's gift says love like a tablesaw?!?) and feel much more confident in building techniques than I did at the start. I learned by watching Woodsmith dvds and books at the beginning and then YouTube and various online forums.

I consider myself still a beginner and love seeing how others build projects and considering how I might be able to implement the techniques in my own projects. I’ve built larger items like a Murphy bed with storage cabinets as well as many, many frames, trivets, and boxes. Currently in the midst of a shop space expansion which involves some “construction” in the pole barn my shop is located. Once that is “done” I cannot wait to get back to projects that don’t involved 2x4s or insulation!!

Hope to post some projects and get feedback from the members!

Excited to Join and Learn from This Community

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 08:01:20 +0000

Hello everyone,

I’m new here and wanted to take a moment to introduce myself. I’ve been interested in woodworking for a while, and I’m always looking for ways to improve my skills and pick up tips from more experienced hands. Most of my projects so far have been smaller build things like shelves, boxes, and small furniture pieces. But I’m hoping to take on larger projects as I learn more.

I really appreciate how welcoming this community seems, and I’m looking forward to both asking questions and hopefully contributing where I can.

Thanks for having me, and I look forward to getting to know you all.

Best regards,
[Katherine]

Hello from NY

Sat, 30 Aug 2025 10:39:14 +0000

Hi everyone. I’m from upstate NY and just found this forum. I look forward to sharing ideas!

From rooftops to the workbench

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 06:03:40 +0000

Hey everyone, I’m Carlos. Most days you’ll find me up on a roof — I run a roofing business here in Southern California. It’s fast-paced, a lot of problem-solving, and it keeps me on my toes. But when I’m not patching leaks or laying shingles, I like to slow things down in my little backyard storeroom-turned-workshop.

It started years ago when I kept leftover lumber from roofing jobs and began tinkering with it. A couple of shelves turned into a small table, then a few gifts for friends, and before I knew it, woodworking became my go-to way to unwind. I’m still learning plenty, but I love the mix of creativity and hands-on work.

Looking forward to swapping ideas and maybe picking up a few tricks from you all.