Hello from Burnsville

[Mike Callihan]

I do wish I had for this forum sooner. My name is Mike Callihan and I am a retired (sometimes just tired) engineer, life long woodworker and incurable tool junkie. I have lived on a mountain top in Western NC since my retirement about 7 years ago. Before that I owned and ran a company in the Milwaukee Wisconsin area.

Currently we are planning a move to Cincinnati OH to be closer to the Grandkids and family. However to do that I need to sharply downsize my shop. I currently have a 2300 sq. ft. shop populated primarily with vintage 3 phase iron. Unfortunately most of my power tools won't fit in a conventional basement shop.

I built the shop first and then built our home. I was a 3 year long labor of love. Here is the results of that effort. The shop or as my wife calls it my "Man Cave" is, of course, the red structure.

I look forward to hanging around the forum until the move becomes a reality.

Mike

 

[TracyP]

Welcome to the site Mike. We are glad that you found us. Show us some pics of your work cause we like photos.

 

[Jon]

that is an incredible Home you have and shop. You sure the grandkids are worth that.

Glad you could join us

 

[Bigdog72]

Welcome, Mike!

I would seriously consider moving the family here rather you leaving Mecca!

 

[McRabbet]

Welcome to the site, Mike from another resident of the western part of the state. I saw some of your recent posts on SMC and suspected that you were uprooting from Burnsville to other parts -- we're sorry to hear that you're moving to Cinci, but I guess it is family first. I'm President of a woodworking group based in Asheville (Western NC Woodworkers Association) with about 50 members and I suspect some may be interested in some of your tools that you are selling, although few of us have 3-phase power. Ironically, we just obtained a full set of FWW for the Association library through a contribution and some sharing by members - your collection is a great buy for someone that wants this great magazine set.

Our next meeting is a week from Saturday (Aug 9th) at the home of one of our members who runs a lumber sawing business -- if you are interested in attending to let others know about things you plan to sell, send me a PM with your email address and I'll send you details. And by the way -- you can remain a member here forever as you're from NC now! Welcome to the site and post more pictures if you can!

 

[Bas]

Mike, welcome to NCWW! Your Man Cave is an inspiration - got any pictures showing the inside? One tool junkie to another....I disagree with Geoff, go to Cincinnati....but give ME a call FIRST (dibs on the tools! :gar-Bi). Seriously though, that would be a hard thing to give up. But family is family....

 

[DaveO]

Welcome, Mike!

I would seriously consider moving the family here rather you leaving Mecca!

I was thinking the same thing. That is a beautiful home and a shop to die for. Plus there isn't a better place than the mountains of NC.
Welcome to the site, I am glad you could join us. It has always been said once an active NCWoodworker, always one. I would also love to see what is inside the Man Cave...we need pics.
I look forward to your input in the forums and seeing some pics.
Dave

 

[PeteQuad]

Hi Mike! Mike's been taking my money over at sawmillcreek lately.

 

[nelsone]

Nice set up Mike, Sorry to hear you're leaving just when you found us!

 

[Canuck]

Oh my, Mike; what a beautiful place you got there!!

I agree with DaveO, have them move here!!! (I have some family members up near Dayton, but the only nice thing about that area is being close to the Gerstner factory!:wsmile

I do look forward to hearing more about your shop, tools and ongoing projects!

Have Fun!!

Wayne

 

[Mike Callihan]

Thank you one and all for the warm welcome. I don't really have any decent pictures of the inside of my shop, it is always too messy, this the best I can do right now.

This a view of the main room it measures 24' X 40'. There is a 300 sq. ft loft above about half of this room the balance of the room has a 20' ceiling. There is 3 additional rooms along one side they are about 12' X 13' each. The other side has 2 rooms and lumber storage. One room on this side is my office and computer room. Needless to say I spend most of my time in my "Man Cave". :gar-La;

 

[ScottM]

Welcome Mike. Sorry you found us late but the important thing is you found us. There is something special about this site. We are more of a close knit family. So when the day comes you have to leave the nest you will still be part of us.

 

[RandyJ]

Welcome, Mike! Sorry to hear you will be leaving NC soon. I feel like we just met:dontknow:. Nice home and man cave:notworthy:. Looking forward to your contributions to the site.

 

[PeteQuad]

That looks like a pretty decent picture to me. Nice shop! And nice machines!

 

[sapwood]

Hi, Mike!
And welcome to NCWWer :icon_thum
Usually takes a member more than 2 posts and 2 pixs to make an impression . . . but not this time :mrgreen:

Look forward to your input,
Roger

 

[DaveO]

Thank you one and all for the warm welcome. I don't really have any decent pictures of the inside of my shop, it is always too messy, this the best I can do right now.

This a view of the main room it measures 24' X 40'. There is a 300 sq. ft loft above about half of this room the balance of the room has a 20' ceiling. There is 3 additional rooms along one side they are about 12' X 13' each. The other side has 2 rooms and lumber storage. One room on this side is my office and computer room. Needless to say I spend most of my time in my "Man Cave". :gar-La;

Dang!! Is that a jointer or a massage table. Wow you're well set up, I would spend all my time out there too..and if you get tired you can nap on the jointer

Dave

 

[cskipper]

Hi and I agree with the others - can't you get the family to move here? Great set-up - shame you have to lose it.

 

[JimmyC]

Mike,
When I die and go to heaven I want it to be in your house, with your shop on your mountaintop. It's beautiful ! Welcome to the best woodworking site on the internet. Enjoy your stay !

Jimmy:mrgreen:

 

[Douglas Robinson]

Mike:

Glad you found us. I knew you would have a better chance to sell your stuff here. Glad you made the trip. If you are selling the big iron. Especially the Joiner, we have a member Scott Smith who recently suffered a fire that consumed his tools. He had big iron too and used 3 phase. I am thinking you two should talk. He is building a new building on his farm and maybe the timing would be good as he may not be ready yet, but you may not be ready yet to part with the big stuff, as the move is still in the planning stages.

Doug

BTW: Scott has a BIG trailer to haul stuff.

 

[LeftyTom]

Welcome, Nike. Have the grandkids been down to your mountain paradise?