I have always enjoyed working with my hands, from making model airplanes as a young boy to tinkering with tools as I got older. In 2017, while still a school administrator, I enrolled in part-time home improvement and electrician courses in the evenings at the local technical college, anticipating that these skills could well save me some money in retirement. I expected to see a lot of young people in these courses, and was pleasantly surprised to find quite a few “older” students. The practical courses were very enjoyable. One of my course mates, a retired naval aviator remarked that if he were younger, he would have loved to do more training and start a second career as an electrician. I understood and shared his sentiments, but saw it as an avenue in retirement to work on my own home and as a hobby.
Prior to taking these courses I also dabbled in woodworking and have continued to do so. I make simple portable cedar chairs. I started making one each for the grandchildren and now build for others on request.
I have collected a number of tools over the years, some more useful that others. I have organized a small space in the garage for my hobby. It was not always this tidy, the current pics being the result of time available during retirement.
These are the chairs I make. They are strong and practical and come in two sections that slide together and apart for use, storage and transportation.
I am by no means a master or expert woodworker. I am still learning and find it an enjoyable and satisfying hobby.
Educhirp 