Howdy all,

I found this site while looking for plans to build a challenge coin display. I appreciate the kind comments of welcome from various folks, and look forward to browsing around and learning more about woodworking.

I'll admit that my skills in woodworking are mainly in woodturning. I'm a middle school/high school band director by profession, and I have a side business of selling handcrafted conducting batons. I found the niche-ist niche out there, right?!

With that said, I'm always interested in learning new skills so I'm eager to branch out and try my hand (pun intended) at new things, especially band saw boxes to use as gift boxes for pens, batons and other small items.

Personally, my interests are baseball, barbecue and spending time with my family. I have a son who's a US Marine and a teenage daughter who knows just about everything in the world. Just ask her! My wife is endlessly patient and we spent the past year fighting breast cancer...one of the worst things inflicted upon women. She amazed me with her strength and determination thru it all.

 

Anyway, I apologize for the long post. I'm usually less verbose.

Nice to have a turner and teacher, here, Brian!

I am a retired Electronics/Computer Tech Instructor- 33 years in the classroom- and still substituting! Looking forward to seeing your projects.

 

Lew

Brian.

Check out the forums and ask any questions you may have. There is a great group of people here to help or guide you along your journey. Sorry to hear about that cancer and will keep you guys in my prayers . Have fun reading the forums and blogs. There is also the chat room to use too.

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Wayne Mahler
God bless and protect our troops that serve so we can be free.

No apologies needed Brian.  You'll find that this site is very unique in that there are skilled foks on every level and the friendships move beyond woodworking.

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Ron Dudelston
Above and Beyond WoodWorks

Brian, we are excited to have you join us. You will find some of the greatest woodworkers here that are friendly and helpful. They will all do their best to help you with any problem you put before them.

 

Show us some of you conducting batons. Would love to see them.

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John Moody
John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com

Again Welcome To The Patriot Woodworker Brian. We are glad to have you here, your in good company. I'd like to hear a bit more about your sons service, occupation, station?

Your wife is an angel, sure enough dealing with a dreaded disease such as cancer is taxing on the soul. How is she doing now?

As the other have said, if you get around to it, lets see some of your batons, whew, talk about a niche!

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker

Hey guys,

John...my son is currently at Camp Pendleton. He had a seizure during the 2nd week of infantry training, so he was placed on 6 months of limited duty. He's waiting impatiently to pick up again. We're hoping to see him in a few weeks if his leave gets approved. His MOS is infantry and he was hoping to apply for embassy duty, but I don't know what's in store for him now because of the seizure (no prior problems or problems since it happened in Feb).

My wife is doing great now. She's all done with chemo and radiation and is awaiting a full head of hair!

 

I've attached some examples of the conducting batons. Each one is 12"-15" in total length, depending on what the customer wants. Each handle is made from native Texas wood and each shaft is hand planed from 3/16" dowel and then either left a natural color or painted glossy white. Mesquite, pecan, live oak, Texas Ebony and cedar are popular woods. I also make the handles out of acrylics that are very popular with younger conductors. It's a small market, but it pays for my shop toys and my new motorcycle, as per The Wife's directive!

 

Brian

 

Very Cool!! Total idiot question- are the batons traditionally hand planed?

 

Lew


Brian Donnell said:

Hey guys,

John...my son is currently at Camp Pendleton. He had a seizure during the 2nd week of infantry training, so he was placed on 6 months of limited duty. He's waiting impatiently to pick up again. We're hoping to see him in a few weeks if his leave gets approved. His MOS is infantry and he was hoping to apply for embassy duty, but I don't know what's in store for him now because of the seizure (no prior problems or problems since it happened in Feb).

My wife is doing great now. She's all done with chemo and radiation and is awaiting a full head of hair!

 

I've attached some examples of the conducting batons. Each one is 12"-15" in total length, depending on what the customer wants. Each handle is made from native Texas wood and each shaft is hand planed from 3/16" dowel and then either left a natural color or painted glossy white. Mesquite, pecan, live oak, Texas Ebony and cedar are popular woods. I also make the handles out of acrylics that are very popular with younger conductors. It's a small market, but it pays for my shop toys and my new motorcycle, as per The Wife's directive!

 

Brian

 

Lew...no. The big companies have some type of machine that tapers the dowel rods automatically. I don't have the smarts to figure out such a machine! They also have fiberglass and graphite shafts that are a little more durable. I only do wood shafts and hand taper them.

Brian

Good work. Like what I see. Your doing well and I hope it continues for you. Everyone finds their special niche in the market as you have. You do great works. Wishing you nothing but the best in the future. Thanks for sharing.

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Wayne Mahler
God bless and protect our troops that serve so we can be free.

Glad to hear about your wife and son. Those are both great news. Your batons are beautiful. I always admired a conductor of a band. Always wondered about those little sticks they used. Your turning abilities are very apparent. Nice choices of wood. What is Texas ebony? Always thought that would be mesquite.

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Bob Kloes
www.bobkloes.com

Thanks Wayne and Bob.

 

Bob...Texas Ebony (Ebenopsis ebano) is one of the ugliest trees you'll ever see. They're found mainly in south Texas. They have an ugly shape and produce white blooms and ugly pea pods. But the wood is fantastic. The heartwood is yellow and the sapwood is so dark brown that it looks black. Here's a photo of two batons that were made using the spot between the two colors. The photo makes the sapwood look brown, but in person it's very very dark. I love finding pieces with lots of swirls and markings.

I know it's cliche, but judging something by its outer beauty can be foolish at times! Some of my favorite pieces of wood come from the ugliest of trees, mesquite being an example and pecan being an exception!

OK Brian, I have to ask the nerdy/business question of the day.  Obviously batons is a nitche market but how do you advertise?  Word of mouth?  I would imagine that school music teachers have a tight circle.

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Ron Dudelston
Above and Beyond WoodWorks

Brian.

They are just gorgeous. I really like the way wood looks.

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Wayne Mahler
God bless and protect our troops that serve so we can be free.

Ron, all the conductors sing his praises!

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Bob Kloes
www.bobkloes.com