So what did you do before this?

[NewLondon88]

Before my father passed away, I used to make solid body carousel horses with him in sizes from 1 foot tall to full size. Our best we ever did was a full size pegasus with two show sides.

Now that's worth a jpeg or two! :biggrin:

 

[boxerman]

I used to raise Boxer Dogs. Sold quite a few of them and made some decent money. Sold one male that made Grand Champion in a dog show in Chicago. That really made very happy to know that I really had some very nice Boxers. But got out of it was just alot of work &time. So that's why I go by Boxerman. Always like woodworking so I decided to buy a lathe and start turning pens.

 

[cwolfs69]

ive spent my life working most of the time. 60-80 hours a week usually. did find time to coach 2 boys through little league and 5-6 years with my youngest son as a semi pro fisherman. he and i were on the Bass Pro/Nitro Boats virginia State Team for 5 years. lots of time traveling and very expensive for that one. just got rid of the boat in January. finally last February decided i was losing money by continuing to work so i retired for the second time. (retired from General Electric in 2004.) 30 years in the mechanical engineering/machinist field and 15 years as emergency room RN. then i started turning pens. love it. wish i had started slower years ago. with the mechanical background the learning curve was pretty quick. trying to sell enough to support the habit. as many of you know, retirement (fixed income) isnt as financially nice as you think while working, but loving every minute of the freedom. 50 years working for others and uncle sam. now im enjoying life even if im broke all the time.

 

[OKLAHOMAN]

Built and showed Street Rods, My first was a 1939 Plymouth Sedan with a 305 sold it before finishing to buy a 1940 Chevy Pick up. When finished sold it to a local rodder who kept it for 6 years, it now has a new owner in Hawaii, then I built a 1929 Ford that won best in class in every show I showed it in, looked like a million, but could never get a smooth ride with the short wheelbase so sold it and then built Dee's favorite (she's still mad that I sold it) a 1948 Ford coupe, last was a 1946 Chevy Delivery Van, talk about an expensive hobby, pen turning is cheap compared.

 

[eldee]

I was into photography (and darkroom....) for years. I still am, but mostly take "snapshots" now. Been playing electric bass (with a very brief excursion into acoustic) off and on for about 35 years. I used to build static models and have collected a number of 1/8 scale car and wooden ship kits that will soon be up for auction. I have also been into things that fly all my life. I still have rockets, RC helicopters, and a collection of kites. The coolest of "all things flying" was my air and ground involvement in hot air ballooning.

 

[Grizz]

Actually, this is not 'new.' I've always been woodworking. Turning has taken precedence over flat work. But I am getting the yearning to get back into the flat work scene.

The nice thing about pen turning is seeing a final product quickly. Which is nice to do in my line of work.