Hello
Everything has its own story, and Splinters is no exception. After graduating high school as a cabinet maker, life took off in another direction, but the love of woodworking and working with my hands especially with wood has been a lifetime endeavor. For many years our vehicles were relegated to the driveway as the tools took up this space in the garage.
I have always stated that I learned my retirement hobby at the age of 18. Now retired, this opportunity to create and build a community asset, that will endure for many years, is a dream becoming true. The opportunity to teach skills I learned years ago, in a facility similar to those I had the privilege of having access to. To create a facility that is centered around woodworking and creativity using this amazing art form, is very exciting. Every one who has ever touch wood knows about Splinters.
Creating excellence, one splinter at a time.
My Story
Growing up, I just had this gift of wanting to fix things, and woodworking became where I wanted to learn more. I had the very fortunate opportunity to learn furniture building, design, and technical drawing through a regional trade school, and this easily could have not happened. As I passed through 10th grade in public education, with no directional path being considered, the summer break was coming to an end, and the thought of going back to school was not on my to do list. I pushed my mom to consider alternative educational paths, because I knew the technical school existed and wanted to go. I chose to learn cabinet making since I really did not want to return to high school,. I wanted to use my hands.
According to mom, we were rejected at the outset to get admitted. The vocational system is typically a 4 year program, and I going into my 3rd year, and for that reason, we were denied. Mom pushed back and advocated for my desire to change my educational direction. By appeal, I was accepted to participate in the Mill and House Carpentry program that Included Cabinet Making. Although not my first choice, I did get to go to the vocational high school. All my other classes were the same as the cabinet maker program, so the education was the same. The only difference was they had a sliding table saw.
I am grateful for that opportunity which has now manifested into my retirement dream. I always said that I learned my retirement hobby at the age of 18. Time to put those words into action. How better than to create a potential brand of woodworking studios around the country to provide access to the tools and machinery on a scale most could never afford, nor the space for those machines. The name Splinters just seemed so appropriate, as anyone who has contacted wood have had a splinter or two. The beauty wood has when sanded and finished is a sight for those that appreciate wood grain.
Although woodworking never turned into a career, I did always have a desire to do more with it. This passion allowed me to create a woodworking meetup type of club in New England many years ago, and of course the many projects that were built along the way over the years in my garage.
A professional DIY community woodworking studio is enticing, simply because they are not common place. This art form is being lost to modernization, mass production, and the lack of facilities. Splinters is designed to change this. Providing a first class woodworking facility that promotes safety, utilizing industrial grade tools, all while educating those with the desire to learn, is reason enough.