In 2007, the author requested bids from a number of local cabinet shops in Plano, Texas, for a custom entertainment center.  Bids came back between $7000 and $8000.  “At that price”, he thought, “I could buy all the tools, build it myself, save about $4000, and use the tools on all those other projects we have in mind.”  And so he did just that, and became a novice woodworker.  Between 2007 and 2012 the 2-car garage in his Plano home became his woodshop and the cars were forced outside.  In 2012, after a move to Lehi, Utah, his wife got her garage back after a new home was built that included a dedicated woodshop.

The author is a Software Engineer working for FamilySearch.  In most software development organizations different people are in charge of requirements, marketing, scheduling, architecture, design, implementation, and quality assurance.  The author enjoys woodworking because he functions in all those roles — without the conflicts that exist between those roles in his company.

This blog documents some of the more interesting projects the author has attempted. Perhaps they will inspire others to take up woodworking as a hobby, or provide great ideas to other woodworkers.  Regardless, the author will continue to enjoy his hobby.

The author has chosen not to share his identity.