What is your expertise??

[lawrence]

I'm a Master Sergeant in the Air Force- I currently serve as an aircrew member on the EC-130H at Davis Monthan have a couple thousand hours flying around in RC-135s as well. My job is one thing, but I'm proud to say that my expertise and duty is mentoring and supervising young Airmen and junior officers.

I love the life, enjoy the job, but am truly honored as all get-out to serve with these young men and women who fill the junior enlisted ranks. There may be some out there that question the fortitude of the newest generation but I am not one of them; I see their determination and grit every day.

I have enjoyed reading your expertises very much as well,
V/r
Lawrence

[CarverJerry]

Ok, well I guess it's about time I stepped up to the plate and said a little about myself. I have been a machinist for over 30 years, made just about everything under the sun from nuclear boilers to parts on the hubble telescope which are still floating out in space somewhere. I have 3 patents in the medical field and even owned a Segway touring business in Florida. Then came the grandchildren....moved back to Ohio to be with them since we couldn't convince the daughter to move. Went to work for an aircraft wheel and brake then an English company (Meggitt Aircraft) bought the company and moved it to Mexico, another job taken from the Americans. (I'll stop on that note) So now I'm laid off, almost old enough to retire but still have a couple of years to go... Got my CW and my goal is to learn it and reproduce a guitar and make some signs. Love the work that LG does but I'll never get to his level. I've played guitar for many years, and still learning!! Music, wood working, camping and family are about the only things I truly love. My extended family here on the forum are some of my best buddies. Thanks for all the help you guys give us. That about sums up my life, man life goes by really fast when you put things on paper (or computer).

[Sshanks]

If anyone needs help on choosing what beverage goes with which carving, that’s where I come in!.. I am a Sommelier at one of the biggest hotel/casinos on the Vegas strip. My nights are filled with suggesting, serving, and tasting wine. My mornings tend to involve a lot of saw dust- along with the occasional finished product. I look forward to my education in carving from all of you!

[gitrbldr]

musician for 30 years. attender the "Galloup school of Luthrie" 5 years ago and have been building and repairing string instruments every since including orchestral strings as well.

[lhanner]

I am a disabled army vet. Serving with 101st Air bourne Div, 6yrs total I was Staff Sgt. I was 11b Infantry.
School;s attented while in the Army.
Jump school
Sniper school
Air assult school
Nucular, Bio, Chemical School(NBC)
Anphibious Warfare
Recon-school
I earned my CBI Badge with Company C 1st BLT 1st Brgd 327th in veitnam 1972 where i was wonded by an anti-personal mine.
After several sergeries both ears, left and right, knee,legs,feet. The army put me on disabled status and released me.
I came back home and went to the employment office to get a job. The man told me to list all the tranning I had. I listed all the above schools.
He looked at my application and said nothing for about 5 min. and then he looked at me and said "The only thing you qualifiy for is a hit-man for the mofia, and I don't thing their hiring",
So I started collage and after 6 yrs of collage and surgeries in between I finaly got my degree in computer science. I worked as a programmer for GM, and programer and site admin. for Columbia Forest Products. They sold out to Mohawk, and I retired. Now I do woodworking and I love my CW although I was about ready to smash it to #$$%%. I got the ROCK CHUCK and am happy.

[chebytrk]

I am a disabled army vet. Serving with 101st Air bourne Div, 6yrs total I was Staff Sgt. I was 11b Infantry.
School;s attented while in the Army.
Jump school
Sniper school
Air assult school
Nucular, Bio, Chemical School(NBC)
Anphibious Warfare
Recon-school
I earned my CBI Badge with Company C 1st BLT 1st Brgd 327th in veitnam 1972 where i was wonded by an anti-personal mine.
After several sergeries both ears, left and right, knee,legs,feet. The army put me on disabled status and released me.
I came back home and went to the employment office to get a job. The man told me to list all the tranning I had. I listed all the above schools.
He looked at my application and said nothing for about 5 min. and then he looked at me and said "The only thing you qualifiy for is a hit-man for the mofia, and I don't thing their hiring",
So I started collage and after 6 yrs of collage and surgeries in between I finaly got my degree in computer science. I worked as a programmer for GM, and programer and site admin. for Columbia Forest Products. They sold out to Mohawk, and I retired. Now I do woodworking and I love my CW although I was about ready to smash it to #$$%%. I got the ROCK CHUCK and am happy.

Welcome Brother! You're definately among a good bunch of people here that are always willing to help. I've got many ol' buddies who went thru the same thing as you and it burns me up every time I hear it. Our Gov't leaders sure needed us to do certain things that many wouldn't dare or didn't have the "nads" to do. So they trained some of us well and when they finished with us, they didn't have any more use.... However, they don't realize that we were also taught to "Adapt and Overcome" as the saying goes in the Marines and that's what all military members do. Not all, but many many of our Gov't leaders are like that and haven't served a day in their life in the military. Some people just don't get it and don't know just how much is given for our country by members of our mililtary. Anyway, glad you're on board and Thanks for your service....
JerryB
US Army (Ret)

[TerryT]

This thread is pretty old but I wanted to bring it back up so some of the new guys can learn a little about the old timers. We now have the "Introduce yourself" thread but that is fairly new. This one has us old timers.

I would hate to see this get lost. The post from BadBert in "Introduce Yourself" just reminded me of this one.

[Canemaker]

My experience is very limited to most of you, but everone has to start somewhere.

I am truely new to woodworking and a craftsman as a hobby. Having skipped shop class and woodworking class in High School, I didn't pickup a hammer until my wife and I started working on our first house project in my late 30's. I wanted to make something special for my parents for Christmas several years ago and started a year long project. After talking to several friends that make pool cues for a living I was turned on to the use of a Gorton 3U industrial pantograph. Searched the world over and found one locally and purchased it. I wasn't interested in making pool cues (although I have the knowledge and skills that I learned from my friends) so I decieded to make walking canes instead. I used my metal lathe and pantograph to make patterns for inlays, turnings and joints to make everything work. (Trail by error). The cane turned out beautifully and is hung on display in my parents house. (hopefully no one will ever really need to use it) At the top of the cane is my parents full names, dates of birth and marriage date carved and inlayed. Down the shaft and around the cane is inlayed all the full names and dates of birth for all eight children. The handle even has an ivory inlayed with chrimshaw. The handle is black walnut and the shaft of the cane is rosewood. Other than this and several other canes that I have made is the extent of my woodworking history.
I have tried plasma cutting, welding, stain glass and now woodworking with my carvewright. The carvewright has enlightened me to new avenues and adventures.

My wife and I have been collecting arthitectural antiques and molds for the past 30 years and plan on incorporating them into woodworking using the carvewright.

John

[ladjr]

Welcome John. I have made several Cane for Seniors at my Mother in laws retirement home. Would love to see a picture of yours sound exceptopnal.

[chebytrk]

Hey Leo,
I sure would like to see some of the canes you've carved. It's something that I've always been interested in, but have never tried. Do you have the Roll Jig or are you just carving out a 2 sided carve for the canes and then "glue up" to make it one piece. Sounds interesting.......

Welcome John. I have made several Cane for Seniors at my Mother in laws retirement home. Would love to see a picture of yours sound exceptopnal.