akmarty

Marty Weatherup, Wasilla, AK, US
member

Been here a little over 7 years and really enjoy the beauty. I do miss the readily available hardwoods, they are kind of spendy here so I use lots of Alaskan birch that I have sawed by a local sawyer.

My wife and I and our two Brittany Spaniels enjoy hunting, fishing, gardening and sharing Alaska with our friends. I work a week on/week off schedule as a corrections sergeant and shift supervisor at a prison. On my weeks off I make lots of sawdust.

When the summer rolls around the woodworking usually goes on the back burner for fishing and hunting seasons. Summers are short and the salmon are only in the rivers for a short time so have to get meat in while we can. We dipnet around 30 red salmon every year (allowed for residents) so we eat plenty of salmon through the winter. I smoke some of it and we can quite a bit of it.

After hunting season closes I have several months of woodworking every week off. It's great therapy after spending a week with inmates. Looking forward to retiring in ten years and making building furniture full time with seasonal breaks for hunting and fishing.

Gender: Male

Birthday: 08/06/1959


Recent comments


Re: Borrowing Tools

I posted earlier but while I was having lunch recalled of all things a law enforcement training class I sat through in which the instructor got side tracked on a story about his dad and how he was brought up. He stated that his dad had always been diligent about returning borrowed tools and equipment but held to the rule that "if you have to borrow it twice, it's time to buy it." I have tried to make that my rule at least on smaller tools. There are some expensive tools I have that my contractor buddy doesn't and vise versa; tools we both need from time to time. I am not going to buy a framing nailer any time soon and he is not likely to buy a micro nailer either. But we both have them at our disposal.

posted: 4:28 pm on March 17th  

Re: Borrowing Tools

While I value my tools greatly and hate to see them get damaged, I still value people more. I have a contractor buddy whom I share tools back and forth with quite a bit. I can bet that my block plane will come back with a nick or two in it. No big deal. He is my best friend and he helps me with all the big job stuff I don't have the expertise for and I build furniture for him when he needs it or has a customer that needs it. My neighbors and a couple co-worker and I borrow tools back and forth and so far no mishaps. I guess if the relationship has grown to level that we feel comfortable asking to borrow/loan tools then I am comfortable in doing so.

posted: 12:54 pm on March 17th  

Re: UPDATED: Giveaway and Poll: The Most Requested Woodworking Gifts of 2009

Would really like a good dovetail saw, the time to turn some chisel handles for my old chisels and a good plunge router. A shoulder plane is pretty high on the list as well along with several books and DVD's on handtool work.

Marty

posted: 5:44 am on January 11th  

Re: UPDATE: Unlocking the Secrets of Traditional Design

I will take shot at it. I am always looking to expand my library.

posted: 5:29 pm on May 10th