I want to start with the fact that I don't hand out compliments of using the term "Outstanding Craftsman" on a regular basis as I think it is an overused term. If qualifications of being able to recognize an “Outstanding Craftsman†mean anything I have been hackin on wood & metal for over 55 or so years, woods was my major in college, I taught wood and metal subjects for 15 years, .........yada yada. Given all of the woodworkers that I have known when I was a kid, in high school, college, probably had personal experience of teaching it to about 1500 or so people, work of several hundred woodworkers in industry of several types, viewed hundreds of projects that people have and posted in forums on line, etc......and without going into great detail........ I would rank the work of August Crabtree as one of the finest woodcarvers I have seen and some of his work is on display Mariner's Museum in Newport News, VA……..a dozen or so furniture designers / builders and so on…….

I have my favorite few furniture craftsman that I believe to be among the best, same goes for cabinet makers, also molding designers, etc. but if I had to name one person that is the best "All-round Craftsman" working with the media of wood that I know of who can conceive a project, using the proper elements of design and conceive the proper components of design of that project, sometimes actually designing and make the molding cutters to fit that design or select the right set of factory cutters to suit, execute the proper selection of wood and wood grain type, craft that raw lumber into a piece of crown molding ---the many components of a staircase ---a chair---an ornate walnut cabinet---and the list goes on and on and that is not to mention that this “All-round Craftsman†designed his own 2 story above ground w/walk-in basement workshop .........that one person would be Wendell Lewis............oh I didn't mention that he also designed his beautiful house and is also an accomplished machinist..........but yet one of the most humble men that I know. 

After the OWAMMO's Gatherings have ended at Hollister/Branson I usually take a few of the people that are still around on a tour of Wendell's place as we plan to do in a few weeks after the OWAMMO's Gathering event. 

 

You be the judge.........here is some of Wendell's work

 

 

Wendell designed, sometimes made custom cutters, and made all of the molding, trim, doors, fireplace mantel, and other woodwork (less the antique furniture) in the next 3 pictures. He then had help installing it. 

 

 

Staircase designed and made by Wendell..........beautifully figured maple......notice the use of alternating design on staircase components. 

 

 

The first picture is of Wendell standing by an original fireplace mantel that the picture doesn't do justice to, but please note the vertical members of the mantel and Wendell used this design, ground the cutter to make the molding, and milled the molding out of beautifully grained cherry in the following pictures. 

 

 

 

Wendell with a few of our OWAMMO's friends. 

 

 

 

Approaching the 2 story above ground w/walk-in basement New England styled workshop that Wendell designed.........makes you think you are back in Vermont ........rather than in the Ozarks.

 

 

Please notice the large star in the top / end of the workshop.

 

 

Star from the inside ......... I think that Wendell had it shipped in from the NE, but not for sure.

 

a whole covey of planes..........

 

 

Just a few examples of Wendell's woodworking designs, skills, and craftsmanship. 

 

Wow and Wow.

 

I am just too overwhelmed Dan, there is way too much for this simple mind to absorb so for now, I'd just like to echo John Moody's comments, WOW and WOW!

Thanks Dan for letting us in on this well kept secret of one of our members.

John

Mr. Lewis, simply stated, is a Renaissance Man. Like the "masters" of that time, his design, artistry, and skill are of seemingly perfect proportion and pleasing to the eye. I am challenged to think of anyone who does it better than Wendell. When one considers that this is not even his profession, but rather a hobby, one truly is left in awe. Quite a quiet, humble, and unassuming man as well. You would be honored to be able to call this man your friend.

Ryan

Well stated Ryan.........did you realize you are in one of the pictures taken a few years back when you were in the backards state of Missoura........you notice in the Ozarks we MO with an "a" instead of an "i" on the end? 

 

I have several more pictures, but these will do for now to make my point of using the phrase "Outstanding Craftsman". Just to let everyone know though .....I have just briefly shown a "portion" of the talent this man has. I will later post some of his machine shop and related work because he is so humble I don't imagine he will tell his story, but I think it needs to be told. 

 

Here is mind warping fact of Wendell's talent in woodworking...........ready for this ...............he has had no .........meaning 0 (ZERO).................formal training in woodworking............he is "self-taught".........he makes me want to take my "College Diploma" with an emphasis on woodworking .......wad it up and throw it in the trash .........and then take a bulldozer to my shops ......... quit my shop work ........and take up settin in my rockin chair on the porch.........

 

Thanks ~ Dan

That is really very nice work. Proportion and execution are wonderful. God does give everyone talents, its what we do with them....

Bob,

You are correct about the talents.

 

I told Wendell about the beautiful figured maple and cherry you have and I will send you a private email with his contact info. 

 

Perhaps you can pre-sell a load of your lumber to several people and deliver it on the way and come down to one of our OWAMMO's Gatherings and then after it is over I can take you with several others to Wendell's place and also Dan Mangile's shop to see his collection of Olivers ...........whew it is also a sight to behold and to see both of these guys shops is almost an overloading of the brain........

 

Thanks ~ Dan

John or anyone,

 

Did I post this topic in the wrong forum?

 

Thanks ~ Dan

Heavens No! Your fine Dan. It could of gone here, or woodworking, either way, I am just glad you did. Thanks for the introduction to your friend Wendell. Someday I'd like to be at your OWWAMO meeting and take his tour with the guys. Not this year, but someday. Wonderful post Dan, thanks.

Dan Wyatt said:

John or anyone,

 

Did I post this topic in the wrong forum?

 

Thanks ~ Dan

Hi John,

 

Thanks for the advice, but please feel free to move it where you think that the most people will see Wendell's work. 

 

Bob Masters, and a couple of others have additional pictures of Wendell's work that they can add later. In fact most of the pictures that I posted were taken by others as I have said before my photography stinks.........

 

Take care ~ Dan 

I'll echo the others since I'm pretty much speechless ...

 

Wow and Wow ... Most impressive.

 

Thanks for posting the pics Dan.

Dan - you did a fabulous job showing Wendell's fine woodworking........all I can say from seeing it twice now is that as great as it looks in pictures, in person it really blows you away. It is some of the finest craftsmanship I have ever seen in person......Craig

Dan Wyatt said:

Well stated Ryan.........did you realize you are in one of the pictures taken a few years back when you were in the backards state of Missoura........you notice in the Ozarks we MO with an "a" instead of an "i" on the end? 

 

I have several more pictures, but these will do for now to make my point of using the phrase "Outstanding Craftsman". Just to let everyone know though .....I have just briefly shown a "portion" of the talent this man has. I will later post some of his machine shop and related work because he is so humble I don't imagine he will tell his story, but I think it needs to be told. 

 

Here is mind warping fact of Wendell's talent in woodworking...........ready for this ...............he has had no .........meaning 0 (ZERO).................formal training in woodworking............he is "self-taught".........he makes me want to take my "College Diploma" with an emphasis on woodworking .......wad it up and throw it in the trash .........and then take a bulldozer to my shops ......... quit my shop work ........and take up settin in my rockin chair on the porch.........

 

Thanks ~ Dan

Dan, it looks like Wendell and I have a lot in common. Maybe this fall, who knows for sure, but I need to get down by you. I just got a load of birdseye that is just beautiful. Have another coming in a few weeks. Send me his info if you can.

Hi Craig,

 

Wendell has added some new / old stuff in the last few months so we are scheduled to take another shop tour on Sunday. 

 

Thanks ~ Dan 

Thanks for posting! Wendell is a very talented craftsman / artisan. His work is spectacular!

Been there and seen it all; a few times.  I'm still interested each time.  One thing Dan forgot to mention---Wendell has had no formal woodworking or metalworking training.

Dan Coleman

Dan Coleman said:

One thing Dan forgot to mention---Wendell has had no formal woodworking or metalworking training

Hello to Dan the Younger,

On the first page I mentioned: "Here is mind warping fact of Wendell's talent in woodworking...........ready for this ...............he has had no .........meaning 0 (ZERO).................formal training in woodworking............he is "self-taught".........he makes me want to take my "College Diploma" with an emphasis on woodworking .......wad it up and throw it in the trash .........and then take a bulldozer to my shops ......... quit my shop work ........and take up settin in my rockin chair on the porch. " 

 

Take care ~ ole man Dan

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think we will probably do a 2 shop tour on Sunday or the day after the OWAMMO's Gathering ..........a tour of Dan Mangile's shop and also a tour of Wendell's place. 

 

Thanks ~ Dan

Just a note to the ones that this may apply to ..........The shop tours will be on Sunday afternoon. 

 

Thanks ~ Dan 

Some of the new people from a couple of days back could not find this post so I am going to place another comment so as they can see it until they get familiar with the different forums. I should have posted this in woodworking. 

 

Thanks ~ Dan