I can't quite remember what it was that attracted me to my Grand-Parents home when I was 18, just starting my career with Canadian Pacific Railway and nicely getting interested in the softer gender. I always hoped that when I arrived, that Grampa would be at home and not down at the barber shop getting what little hair he had left cut. I would look for him in his garden first, then peer into the garage window and look for the neat old 52 Dodge car.
    Gramma would always be home it seems, so I would wait with her if Grampa would not be long coming home. I always managed to show up close to lunch time. Here I was on my days off from the railway in the mountains having eaten fries and gravy for a whole week in restaraunts. It was a treat whatever she happened to have available, and it always came from the cellar in a glass jar (just add bread).     There was a special smell that came with this visit..The smell of sawdust in Grampa's basement. Just recently I wandered into my own workshop and the same smell was very present, was Grampa there?. Who knows for sure. I wanted to think he was. I believe it was Nancy Green-Raine (Canadian sking champion) who said it best when asked what she would look for in a husband. She said she would like a man that smelled like her grand-father (Sawdust).
    Grampa's work shop was always tidy, but most of his tools where hand made from old files and wooden handles full of cracks. He would never buy a clamp, a few nuts and bolts through 2 pieces of wood and that would be it. How he did it I do not know as I have tons of clamps and that is not enough...He would never buy string, just an old piece of plastic he would fold many times and stretch it until it was string. Glue in a can, that we struggled to get the lid off, then onto the stove, reheat it and liquid glue again. His lathe was not a lathe, it was a conglomerate of wheels and pullies, move the belt for slow and move it again for fast. We sure are spoiled in this day and age.. ( I LOVE SPOILED)...     One of his specialities was inlayed coffee tables known as Parquatry or Marquatry. He would always give one away on a special occasion such as a wedding....I asked him once if he would make me one..His answer had me disappointed. He said, and I quote " I showed you how, now you get busy and make your own" I did and still have it. The legs are missing, but the table top now hangs on a wall in my basement.

I am now retired and just now again making wooden toys, as I did when my children were younger..
Right now I would like to give you some useful information and tips on wood working.... PLEASE SCROLL DOWN

Wood comes from trees. End of story. Now lets get to the basics of woodworking

Wood Working Information

I will never profess to be an expert and a lot of the information you will be reading here will be that which I myself have found on the internet. I hope you will find it enjoyable reading.

I do know that no matter what kind of wood working you may be doing, it is important that your work area be neat and tidy. Your tools should also be clean and in good working order.. In order to prevent an accident while working with tools that are motorized, it is a good idea not to dress in loose clothing, IE: long sleeves and gloves are a no no.. Safety glasses and dust masks are a must.

Check out more safety tips please by clicking on the Blue link at the bottom of page.

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Expect more to be added shortly... but right now go back and review my toys
Just click on Jimmy and his toy train, Or chick on blue links below to view my next page.

Please visit my friends site. Al is a meat cutter. He is very knowledgeable on meats and related matters. Please look at his site. It is full of information with Meat Charts and some useful Hunting tips.

   Click on the Al's Nose. Al has a link back to my site