It was the mid 90's and I was still in the Air Force and was working on
the next stage in my life, retirement! So that lasted a week and I was
ready to get something started. Woodworking was always a hobby for me so
I was pretty well equipped. After all, I had a Shop-smith! One day I
was looking for a porch post that was too big for my lathe to handle and
happened across a column and stair company downtown. While I was
waiting my turn, the customer ordered some balusters and also brought in
a chair spindle to see if they could duplicate it. The lady said no but
I was standing behind the guy out of his sight shaking my head yes! She
said just a moment and took the spindle around the corner, I followed
her and told her I could do that for her company. She went back and
told the guy yes and the relationship began before I ever said hello. I
noticed the balusters he purchased were pretty plain and asked Betty,
after the customer was gone, if I added a rope pattern to the stock
part, if she thought it would sell. She said bring me one and we will
see. I ordered the Wood-Chuck that day and the rest is history. I've
watch the Legacy grow out of the Woodchuck as steel and then aluminum,
then to CNC. But I still hold on to the Woodchuck because of all the
things I can do with it, you just can't with the Legacy red line. My
business was 80% based on the turning and roping and 20% on radius
mill-work using the Woodchuck or the Williams and Hussy molder. 30
years was a great run and now, looking back, the greatest twist that
ever came from the ornamental world was the friends I have made. Some
friends have passed on and others are immortal but fellow sawdust
chewers and customers alike have a huge place in my heart. I found a
Customer-friend-student to pass on my twisted ways to. Doug said to me
when we first started the possibility of him taking the business, that
he loved to see a piece of lumber and visualize what was in there. I
knew right then that he was going to be a great fit! I'm a lucky man to
have had the opportunities I have had. I guess my secret is this, when
asked "Could you do this?" My response is always "Absolutely! Then I
figure out how and smile at what I got myself into. Never second guess,
just get started. I love this group because I see a lot of the same
attitude. I'm proud of you all! I am always here if anyone needs
help. And will always be a LiLtwisted.
Mike OK
Mike Pung 405-650-0542
On 5/12/2024 5:24 AM, Timothy Krause wrote:
Hello All,
I thought I would toss this question out to hear why you bought your
ornamental mill. For me, I bought my first machine when I wanted to
bring a different level of details to my current work. I was in a real
niche market that I wanted to do some woodworking "tricks" that few
people could figure out how they were made.
How about you?
-Tim
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