Shop Videos

The first work center is John’s office area equipped with a large work counter, computer and reference library. Next is a large handmade (by John) cabinetmaker’s workbench with easy access to bench tools including planes, chisels, and clamps with a sharpening center just a step away. The table saw, jointer, and planer occupy the next work center. There are plenty of work tables for clamping large case work, table tops, etc., without using the table saw as a work table. The lathe has its own sharpening center and dust collection and is in close proximity to the bandsaw and wood storage. The centerpiece of the shop has to be John’s wood sample collection which includes hundreds of samples sourced from all over the world. John is a twenty-five year member of the International Wood Collectors Society and has taken wood identification classes at UMass Amherst taught by Bruce Hoadley, author and one of the world’s foremost experts on wood identification.

With a degree in mechanical engineering from Syracuse University, John spent most of his professional career in engineering and facilities management positions in upstate New York. John and his wife Mary moved to the Bluffton area seventeen years ago. His current project is an entertainment table made from quarter sawn white oak in the mission style for their family room. John’s favorite woods include classic American hardwoods – cherry, walnut, maples, and oaks. John claims his favorite wood is “usually the one I am working on at the time.”

The shop measures 20×50’ and divided into two basic areas. Woodworking and turning. All machines are connected to dust collectors along with a whole shop air filtration fan which runs while working in the shop. Heating and AC are provided by two thru wall units along with a dehumidifier that keeps the room at 45% relative humidity. Wood is stored just inside the double doors and handy to the table saw and cross cut saw. The crosscut table was built in shop along with the cherry workbench. The bandsaw is located in mid-shop to service woodworking and turning. All wood clamps are wall mounted for easy access. The shop is cleaned after each use which was instilled in me in High School woodshop.

My woodworking consists mainly of Shaker style cherry and oak furniture for our home and family. My inspiration came from visiting three Shaker Villages in the New England states. While I do less furniture now it has been replaced with wood turning for the past three years. Turning began as a result of spending a week at John Campbell School in NC with my good friend Dick Glover taking a bowl turning class from Steve Cook. I have found turning extremely rewarding and that it is also a deep rabbit hole for both time and money.

Nick started his working career as an engineer working in the automotive and oil industries then moved to the Bluffton area venturing into real estate projects, restaurants and a myriad of other business interests. In February Dan Lee and Noel Wright visited with Nick and “talked shop” for a couple of hours. Nick was currently working on a cutting board as a gift for a neighbor. He has made much of the furniture in his home including a very impressive Bubinga rocking chair with compound angle joinery and hand contoured seat.