Can I answer all of the above? LOL
I’ll try and keep my answer relatively short… I’ve always liked tools and building stuff. I started with legos and Lincoln logs, then treehouses and forts, then upgraded to skateboard ramps and rails, and finally moved onto furniture. My mom has a picture of me at like 5 trying to take apart one of those lawnmower sparking toys in the backyard. Later I started helped family and friends with home repairs. My dad is as white collar as you can get, taught me a ton in life, but nothing about tools. No fault to him, he’s an incredible dad and person, just not his thing.
I had a neighbor that owned a few apartments, when I was in late middle/high school, he’d “hire” me to help him with projects. One time o stead of paying me, took me to Sears and got me my own Craftsman power tool kit (with my parents approval, of course). I ended up going to college to be an industrial arts (wooodshop) teacher and did that a few years, until I realized teaching sucked. Throughout college and those first few years teaching, I built up my own tool kit, mainly to work on my boat, truck, and building simple stuff like building ******** boards. I got out of education and landed a desk job doing IT, “big” pay raise and a small sign on bonus, which I (obviously) spent on bench top/Lowes woodworking machines… Did that 10 years or so, all the while upgrading tools and building out a really well equipped wood shop, but also while hating my desk job.
Got laid off for COVID and did some woodworking to make ends meet, but ended up making more out of my shop than I would have at a desk (but keep that between you and I

). I was a bit confused how to proceed with life at that point. Then an opportunity came up to purchase my neighbors marine service business. Thankfully we live below our means and had some reserves set aside. Thought a lot about it and jumped in, been about a year and a half working for myself and wouldn’t ever look back. I’ve bought a ton of tools in that time, many “needed” for business but a lot I just wanted as an upgrade (tax write offs now!). I’ve learned a ton about running a business, keeping customers happy, doing quality work, and just overall being happy. I’m not making as much as I was sitting at a desk, yet, but I am gathering a ton of nice tools, knowledge, paying my bills, and slowly building my own empire. Life is GOOD!
Lots of interests and hobbies have come and gone over the years, but ever since I’ve been little, tools have remained a constant. Weird, I know. The other thing that’s stuck around is fishing, and boats a huge part of that. I finally feel I am on the right place, and every time I step into the shop, I can’t help but smile.
After all that, you look at these few photos… Who can say no to this stuff?



