As promised, here is my introduction to the site.  I did not include any pictures, mainly because it isn't much more than a 2 car garage with too much stuff crammed into it.

 

I started woodworking about 3 years ago while living in Hawaii.  I was fortunate in that regard because I had access to beautiful local woods that cost way too much now that I live in Florida.  Koa is something special and if you get the chance I highly recommend working with it.  I took a few classes at the base wood shop (pen turning, cutting board, and keepsake box), and I have not stopped since.  I typically spend every weekend in my shop making something but I have no real goal in mind.  I tried starting up a craft fair style shop and selling on the weekends, but since I am still active duty I just did not have the time to sustain it.  I still have dreams and aspirations for turning this into something profitable after I retire, but for now I still do it for the love.

 

As I said, I am still active duty Navy.  I will pass 23 years in May, and plan on staying until 25 total years in service.  I am proud to say that I will be able to retire at the ripe old age of 45 and not need to work again.  I am married with 3 kids (22, 20, and 17) . We moved to Jacksonville, FL a little more than a year ago and plan on retiring here.  I do not make anything fancy, I usually get an idea stuck in my head and spend the weekend figuring out where I went wrong.  I am pretty confident on the lathe, pens and the like usually turn out well.  I just acquired a 14 inch band saw and have not used it to it's fullest potential yet.  My table saw and I have come to a mutual agreement since I sliced of the tip of a thumb (Careless on my part, but I missed both bone and nail.  Simply sliced off the fatty part.  Lesson learned) so cutting boards are getting better.  I tell myself I still need a jointer and drum sander, but I have done fine without them so far.  Really my limitations right now are lack of experience (working on it), time ( as I am sure it is for many), and a local place to obtain good hardwood.  So if you are in the NE Florida area and have a secret local hardwood guy I would love to meet him/ her.  Woodcraft is just too expensive.

 

That is about it.  I have interests in golf and photography as well, but they suffer from the same lack of time as my wood craft does.  Not sure what else you want to know about me.  I will likely ask for more advice than I can give.  I have made my fair share of mistakes (looking at my thumb...) and can usually give a decent recommend on lathe related questions.  However I have a charming personality and witty disposition, life of the parties that I never go to.

 

Glad to be here, proud to serve.  Let me know what I should have posted here.

 

Joe

First and foremost Joe, THANK-YOU for your commitment & sacrifice serving all of us and our great nation. God bless you and your family.

 

Second, "welcome aboard matey"  to TPW. Greatest WW'ing site on the interweb. We always welcome new talent rather emerging or experienced. We're all here to share, learn and help one another.

17 minutes ago, Joe Candrilli said:

I did not include any pictures, mainly because it isn't much more than a 2 car garage with too much stuff cram

Welcome to my world as well as many others here. That said, with your experience and passion for turning you'll want to check out this portion of the forum Wood Turners  and the "flat-lander" links as well. Glad you're here...BTW, newbies always bring donuts, SOooo...today's your lucky day!

Welcome to the forum and I salute your dedication to our military.

Herb

Welcome to the forum and Thank You for you many years of Service!

thank you for your service Joe.. and welcome to the TPW forums...

Welcome Joe, thank you for your service.  Your shop is typical.  Most of us work in similar space as a shop.

Thanks for your years of service. And, welcome to the Patriot Woodworker. 

Is cypress available? I've never used it but a few guys I know have and they like it. 

Long ago, I was fortunate to obtain a small mixed lot of monkey pod and koa. IIRC, there was enough for 6 small boxes. Nothing compares here on the mainland. Beautiful stuff.

Welcome to our little family, Joe! Glad to have you here!

Thanks for your service Joe. Glad to have you aboard.

Thank you for your service and we really are pleased you joined.   I have a saw in my garage....somewhere.   I think it's currently buried under a pile of stuff that it awaiting other plans (well, that, or it's hiding).

Welcome aboard Joe,

Cal

Hi Joe! Welcome to the patriot. Where are you stationed in Jax? I spent about 3.5 years at NAS Jax. Flew S&R for Cecil Field back in the day.

 

Steve

10 hours ago, Steve Krumanaker said:

Hi Joe! Welcome to the patriot. Where are you stationed in Jax? I spent about 3.5 years at NAS Jax. Flew S&R for Cecil Field back in the day.

 

Steve

I live in Fleming Island, south of OP.  Unfortunately, I am stationed at NS Mayport (yes, I make that drive every day...)

Joe, here's some cypress. 

That is awesome!!!

 

Joe, welcome aboard.  Lots of talented folks here and we ALL have our opinions on questions.  Love to see pix of projects, too.

 

Glad to see you here, Joe....and thanks for your service!

Welcome to the forum Joe!!! Thank you for your service

Pictures and donuts are always welcomed. 

Joe thank you for your service. Welcome, glad to have you here.

Welcome Joe, it's a very good group of folks here.  Thank you for your service!