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The Editors Mailbox

Where'd the Woodworkers Go?

Gina Eide, Contributor

15 users recommend

"Gardening." When he's not in his shop, you can find furniture-maker Garrett Hack out in the fields. Here, he is turning over a corn field with his plow horse, Jazz. Read more about Hack and farming in a blog post by Tom McKenna.

Photo: Tom McKenna

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I get a little lonely when the weather warms up. I love the season change, but it also means that our Web traffic declines as shop dwellers head outdoors--less interested in researching woodworking projects and techniques.

I try not to take it personally, but it all makes me wonder, what do you cyberland woodworkers do in the off season? I decided to take this little poll. Instead of getting sad about the lower volume of visitors, I’ll just try to imagine you folks enjoying your warm-weather hobbies knowing we’ll all be back here together in full force when the weather cools off next fall.

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From the Shipwright's Toolbox

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UPDATE: Unlocking the Secrets of Traditional Design

Comments (39)

Gortyn writes: Sawing lumber.
Posted: 3:51 pm on June 2nd

scarab2211 writes: When I'm not in my personal shop or continuing the restoration of our 1790s home, I'm in my Woodcarving Shop at Millbrook Village within Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. There, I help to interpret the lives of the folk of the small rural, agricultural village of the mid-to-late 1800s.
Posted: 8:57 pm on May 31st

farmerbob writes: Being retired from my job as an aircraft pilot, I expected to have lots of time to fit everything in, including operating a small cattle ranch in southern British Columbia, Canada and woodworking. Trouble is, all kinds of other interests develop, so time is still at a premium. Dont know how I ever found time to work!
Posted: 12:29 pm on May 30th

frustratedfarmer writes: Being a full time farmer my shop time is pretty much restricted to the winter months. Although here in the North East Kingdom of Vermont it seems that winter is never far away.
We just had 28 degree weather two nights ago and today is May 29!
Posted: 6:36 am on May 29th

TXwoodchip writes: Since my shop is both heated and cooled I could spend time in it year round but I have 16 heavily wooded acres with trails I've cut winding here and there. It takes most of my "spare" time trying to keep ahead of all the downed limbs, poison ivy and ruts dug by wild pigs. Then there's the acre surrounding the house and fishing pond to keep up. Since I live about 70 miles from Houston I also had the task of rebuilding one of my barns after hurrican Ike put an Oak tree through it. I'm resawing some of it into lumber. Sometimes retirement isn't all it's cracked up to be but then I go to my shop and all is well again.
Posted: 12:45 am on May 29th

digvet writes: I live just a short walk from the Columbia river, and my small fishing boat. I spend a lot of time fishing year round. more in the summer, but the salmon run when they do.
Posted: 2:05 pm on May 28th

Timeforoldmen writes: I load my fly rod and flys in a duffel strapped to my Cruiser and fish the Eastern Sierras from Bishop North.
Posted: 2:32 am on May 28th

dmerzel writes: Men's Senior Baseball
Posted: 2:17 am on May 28th

rambak writes: Nice to see that there is someone else that loves woodworking and Draft horses, I Have my work shop in one end of the barn and the horse stalls for my Beligan horses Sadie & Edie on the other end of my barn.. Is is nice to be able to do both at the same time.
Posted: 10:37 pm on May 27th

koopa writes: there's always so much to do year round. if it's not skiing or fishing or hiking, camping mountain biking,travel, the list goes on and better yet i'm a woodworker and can build my own driftboat. woodworking takes up at least 50 hrs. a week. some weeks it's 70 or 80 hrs.
Posted: 10:06 pm on May 27th

hazelnutcream writes: Once the weather warms up, so do my RC model aircraft
Posted: 9:36 pm on May 27th

garconvolant writes: When I am not in the shop building or repairing something. I am at the airport working on my airplane or flying the other passion in my life. I am extremely blessed with a great interresting life. After my loving wife and grandchildren, I have two fantatastic hobbies: woodworking (making toys,pens,furniture, And Aviation. I just flew from New England to Florida,around the Gulf coast to Texas then North through Oklahoma,kansas,Colorado,Wyoming,Montanna,Alberta,British Columbia,Yukon and finally Anchorage Alaska. What a trip! Now back to the workshop.
Posted: 9:00 pm on May 27th

Quebequois writes: Any time I'm not working on a project, I can be found on the water. It works out well since I live on a boat.
Posted: 5:20 pm on May 27th

CLamb writes: Living in Grand Praie, TX, a subburb of Dallas, I have a small garage shop, Spring and Summer are typically when I spend most of my time working in here. I can tollerate the heat better than the cold. I have spent much of my time working with metal and welding, but I am starting to spend more time working with wood and have subscribed to this site and the magazine to learn more and get ideas for new projects. It gets pretty hot here especailly during July and August, but I just crank of the fan and work early in the morning and late in the evenings. between around noon and 4:00, I am in the house cooling off.
Posted: 5:00 pm on May 27th

xebeche writes: im actually down here in New Zealand with Daltxguy, and i'd agree with him on the poor lighting and cold shop situation. Thusly, im here inside reading your publication.
Posted: 4:47 pm on May 27th

weboyd writes: Fishing and exersizing Me and my dog.

P.S.
she also helps me fish.
Posted: 4:43 pm on May 27th

daltxguy writes: Well, it's not summer everyone in the world. Here in the S. Hemisphere we are facing down the barrel of short days and cold nights. If you want more readers in the 'summer', you have only to appeal to those of us who are experiencing winter. Actually, my summer activity IS woodworking. Perhaps this is true for other people as well. In the winter, the lighting is bad and the shop is unheated so not much time is spent there and instead it's spent doing virtual woodworking online.

Steve/New Zealand
Posted: 4:28 pm on May 27th

BALDEGO writes: I responded earlier but to expand on my doing things in three's for my three kids. I have build 2 beds, 3 blanket chests, 1 grandfather clock (second is half finished) one shaker sewing desk for my wife and numerious small boxes I give as gifts. I have to finish the clock and begin work on the third bed. Oh, I forgot to mention the three needlepoint hassocks. I work upstairs on needle stuff in the winter and in the (unheated) basement in the summer. When asked about what I do for a living my wife responds that I am "a hooker". It raises eyebrows and gets a laugh. I am really an investment banker and portfolio manager for a private company.
Posted: 3:53 pm on May 27th

TexasWoodworker writes: My woodwoorking competes with my work for Habitat for Humanity year round. As President of the local board of directors and a volunteer construction supervisor, more of my time is going to Habitat than my shop these days. I think it was my love of woodworking that got me into Habitat to begin with. I use every opportunity to learn and try new skills.
If it is too hot to work in the shop or build a house, I try to play golf.
Posted: 3:47 pm on May 27th

WorkshopJon writes: Well, I live in Wisconsin, meaning we have five seasons, Early Winter, Deep Winter, Late Winter, something called Spring for a week, then a very hot humid Summer. So the natives take advantage of the last two to do outside stuff when there aren't any t-storms or tornados rolling through.

WSJ
Posted: 3:42 pm on May 27th

BALDEGO writes: This may sound odd. Over a 30 year period I have hooked two rugs. Since I do everything in three's for my three children so I do not leave out a child I am currently hooking a third rug. It will be 4'x6' as are the others.
The first is a family portrait taken from a photo. the second is a story told in navy signal flags. This third one was designed by my wife, an artist, and hooked by me. I get the fabric from thrift stores, strip it, dye it etc. It keeps me upstairs when I am not building furniture, also for my family.
Posted: 3:37 pm on May 27th

islandfurniture writes: Being an avid target shooter I seem to have more time in the summer to getout and practice - living in the country means it's just a few steps to the range - my back yard.
Posted: 3:14 pm on May 27th

McCanon writes: My wood shop summer hours are abbreviated to 15-20 a week. After my 8-4 daily, I'll put in a couple three hours each evening during the winter months plus 20-25 hours on the week ends. Those same hours are yarding times during the growing season here in the northern Rockies. Spare hours in the summer are devoted to fishing, wood gathering, gold prospecting, gardening, and spending quality time around the BBQ'er.
Posted: 3:13 pm on May 27th

Olejack writes: We had a couple of ice storms this past winter that played havoc with the trees on our farm, resulting in limbs and trees falling on fences and gates. After making temporary repairs to keep live stock at home, I am now having to rebuild agreat deal of fence, a time consuming job. I am anxious to get back in the shop.
Posted: 2:50 pm on May 27th

Dock16 writes: May and June are busy times for us bee keepers. But I never totally abandon the wood shop
Posted: 2:38 pm on May 27th

Dock16 writes: Spring time brings high activity in the apiary. May and June are the busiest times for us bee keepers. But I never totally abandon the woodshop
Posted: 2:34 pm on May 27th

Brundo writes: After hand work at home I play chess to keep my brain active!
Posted: 2:23 pm on May 27th

JAB446 writes: As the weather warms we leave the shop and head to sea or the lakes where we spend most of the summer. I rebuild or build a small boat each winter the sell it in the spring to pay for materials.
Posted: 1:18 pm on May 27th

Joe Sullivan writes: Here in North Texas in the late winter and spring while the weather is cool I clear pastures, build fences, put in beds plant the vegetable garden and what have you -- all threaded in among earning a living and youth activities such as 4-H and Little League, and a bit of skeet or clays shooting.

Then when things get really hot, I retreat back to the air conditioned workshop, while taking summer breaks to the north woods and various relatives houses. We slip in a little fishing and photography, and ride horses in the relatively cool mornings or evenings (below 85 degrees).

In the fall, bird hunting calls.

Cheers!

J
Posted: 12:17 pm on May 27th

JC1500 writes: SPRING, SUMMER AND FALL ARE MY SHOP SEASON! I LIVE IN NORTHERN WISCONSIN AND THE WARM MONTHS MEAN I DON'T HAVE TO START A FIRE IN THE SHOP WOOD STOVE AN HOUR BEFORE I WANT TO WORK, WHICH MEANS I'M A LOT MORE ENTHUSIASTIC TO GET INTO THE SHOP NOW THAT IT IS WARM AND ALWAYS READY.
Posted: 7:35 am on May 27th

Bloggs writes: During the summer(when we have one),I play lawn bowls and usually have two games a week,also I do just enough work in the garden to keep it tidy and stop it becoming `Tiger Country`. I do not forget my workshop though, and do a couple of days in it as I still have a monthly craft show to supply.
Posted: 1:07 am on May 27th

jlalla writes: I umpire high school level and above baseball to the tune of 75 games plus
Posted: 6:43 pm on May 26th

bobcass writes: I have a very large honey do list....But I love her
Posted: 9:55 pm on May 21st

GEide writes: tazzer, I forgot about golf! I added it to the list.
Posted: 1:28 pm on May 20th

pezeshki writes: Whitewater kayaking -- runoff is just getting going!
Posted: 11:30 pm on May 19th

tazzer writes: You'll more than likely find me on a golf course!
Posted: 7:29 pm on May 19th

D11RDozer writes: I still have woodworking on the brain but the body has to attend family happenings and summer activities like camping, fishing, graduations, baptisms, holidays... and don't get me started on that pesky lawn around my house that insists I maintain it every 4-5 days.
Posted: 1:38 pm on May 19th

coastaleddie writes: Here in San Diego, California nothing changes.
Posted: 11:38 am on May 19th

StarfishJim writes: Don't be sad, we're here! I'm busy in the shop building bookshelves for the office that my wife has been "urging" me to finish for quite some time. Just as authors get "writer's block", I seem to have contracted woodworker's block on this project which involves lots of edgebanding and veneer.
Posted: 9:04 am on May 19th

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