new member from Waxhaw, near Charlotte

[timsparents]

I'd like to introduce myself - my name is Roger Goldman and I am a long time lover of working with wood. I first knew this in the fourth grade, back in 1956, making a lamp in shop class. My first commissioned piece (for money!) was in 1963. Since then, I have been developing my craft and accumulating tools off and on until 1991 when I finally set up my first "professional" shop. Prior to then I set up in any space I could find, usually my garage. I have been very fortunate in my woodworking career. I am and always have been a one man shop, and have only done custom one-of-a-kind pieces for clients who found me thru word of mouth. Aside from my fourth grade class, I have never been an apprentice or taken any classes in woodworking, but have learned what I know thru patience, common sense, trial and error and the occasional help from articles in a few woodworking magazines that I have subscribed to. Truth be told, I would be doing this for free, but gratefully have managed to earn my living in the shop, which, for me is a spiritual experience that takes me away into a world with no time and great satisfaction. I have recently turned 60 (hard to believe!) and that in combination with a chronic back condition has put me in the position that I can no longer do large pieces, like desks, conference tables, armoires, etc. I intend to continue working, focusing on smaller pieces, and focusing on marquetry. While I have done some marquetry to be included in the design of certain pieces, it has not been a focus for me until now. However, I love it, and find just as much joy and satisfaction doing it as making a piece of furniture. Also because of this shift in my work, I will be selling some of my equipment and smaller tools. As I learn my way around the site I will be posting these items in the "buy and sell" section. In the meantime, I am grateful that my friend, Tom Ferone (toolferone), has brought this site to my attention. I wish I'd known about it years ago, but I guess we find things when we find things! I'm looking forward to participating in the forums, exploring the photo galleries, and communicating with others who have also found joy and satisfaction in woodworking. I don't know yet what the protocol is, but I've seen some email addresses on messages and postings. Assuming this is okay, mine is timsparents@earthlink.net

Thank you -
Roger Goldman

 

[chris99z71]

Welcome Roger! You're welcome here even though you're a friend of Tom's! (kidding! :lol: )
Welcome to the site! Don't feel bad about not finding it years ago, the site just celebrated it's 1st birthday.
With that many years of experience, it sounds like your solution to being able to do large pieces is to take on an apprentice.
Anyway, welcome to the site and I'll be seeing you around.
-Chris

 

[John Reeves]

Roger,

Welcome to the site. Lots of nice people with varying levels of skills. I am a beginner. Setting up a shop and learning how to do things. My next purchase is a jointer so I would appreciate any insights you have.

John

 

[toolferone]

Well Roger if you don't mind I will tell these folks here that I think you are one of the most talented woodworkers I have ever met. I wish I had met you a year before I did and I might have become your apprentice. Roger was one of my guiding forces in becoming a woodbutcher. Below are a couple of Rogers pieces I would like to share with the group. The pictiures don't do them justice.

This last picture is a project that I would not have been able to do with out Rogers help. It is my first experence with veener.

 

[DaveO]

Welcome Roger, I am glad you found us. From the sounds of your bio I am going to enjoy picking your brain for the years of accumulated experience and knowledge. Like Chris, I won't hold your friendship with Tom against you :lol: But watch out, he is a vector for the dreaded Woodguy disease that seems to affect all memebers of this site.

As soon as you get your bearings about the site, please request a photo album at the Help Desk on the left side of the page. I would love to see your work.

Dave

 

[DaveO]

Well Roger if you don't mind I will tell these folks here that I think you are one of the most talented woodworkers I have ever met. I wish I had met you a year before I did and I might have become your apprentice. Roger was one of my guiding forces in becoming a woodbutcher. Below are a couple of Rogers pieces I would like to share with the group. The pictiures don't do them justice.

This last picture is a project that I would not have been able to do with out Rogers help. It is my first experence with veener.

DANG!!!! really beautiful work....Tom you ain't kidding about his talent 8-O 8-O 8-O

Dave

 

[D L Ames]

Roger, welcome to NCWW. I am glad you could join us here. The projects Tom posted for are is incredible. Those are some of the finest example of woodworking I have seen. I hope you will provide us with some "how to" information from your experience with marquetry. That is something I would really like to learn.

D L

 

[clowman]

Remarkable work! And welcome to the site! I'm sure you will be a valued member!

 

[skeeter]

Hello Roger and welcome to the site. Very nice work shown in the pictures. Please request a photo album and post more of your fine work.

 

[JohnsonMBrandon]

Roger,

Welcome to the site. Looks like you have some pretty awesome abilities. Maybe you can teach us something!

 

[timsparents]

Thanks for the welcome, Chris. I've been touched by the quick and friendly response to my bio. As for an apprentice, I'm open to it, and have actually had two for relatively short periods of time in past years. Take care -
Roger

 

[timsparents]

Thanks for the welcome, John. As for a joionter, I would recommend an 8" with a five foot bed, if you can afford it. It is one of the most necessary pieces of equipment you'll need in your shop, especially if you buy your wood kd rough (kiln dried, not dimensioned), which I believe is the best way to go. You can then make sure your wood is dimensioned exactly as you want it. A planer would be next, to actually complete the process. Taiwanese knock offs are a good buy - my jointer is "Northstate", purchased here in Charlotte at Leneave Supply. It has been impeccable for me for 20 years. Hope this helps -
Roger

 

[timsparents]

Tom - you sneaked this on in on me!! I was a bit embarrassed, but I really don't mind. I'm planning on posting pictures to an album once I'm familiar with the site, anyway. I've gotten a quick and warm welcome from many of the site's members - really friendly and inviting. Thanks
Roger

 

[timsparents]

Thanks for the welcome, Dave. Tom snuck in those pictures, but I will be happy to post an "album" as soon as I am comfortable with moving around the site. Lots of warm replies from the membership, which made me feel good, and welcomed.
Feel free to pick my brain!
Roger

 

[timsparents]

Thanks for the welcome, DL. I'll post some pictures of the marquetry I've done, and will be happy to share or answer questions about what I've done and what I've picked up doing it. It really is tremendous fun and can produce some beautiful images.
Roger

 

[timsparents]

Thanks, Skeeter. Will post some pictures as soon as I'm more familiar with how the site works.
Roger

 

[timsparents]

Thanks for the welcome, Brandon. I'll be happy to share what I know, and look forward to using the site. I'm not a golfer, but I could have told you many years ago that it would have been a cheaper hobby or vocation that ww! Yet I doubt it could ever be as rewarding.
Roger

 

[timsparents]

Thanks for the welcome, Clay. Look forward to participating.
Roger

 

[clowman]

Hey Roger... do you get the feeling this bunch wants to see more pictures? We sure are picture hungry! To get you started in uploading pictures, you will find a very good how to type post by Monty in the faq forum. You can find those FAQs here. If you do encounter any issues, please post a message in the Problems forum, located here, and someone will help you out. Happy posting.

 

[jeff...]

Wow! very professional - one day when I grow up I hope to have that much skill...

Welcome to the site, a bunch of good folks here... I'm sure you'll injoy yourself