Weekend Wonders: Why woodworking?

My interest goes back to my Grandfather. He used to say that if you got the opportunity to learn something, go for it as you may not know when you might need the knowledge. Of course, that usually prefaced some task he wanted me to learn so I could do it for him, such as caning a chair seat. In his retired years, he established a woodshop and it was a fascinating place so really piqued my interest. As his eye sight failed, he would often ask for help. It was certainly distressing to see him try to assemble something when he had to install screws by feel. I think of him often as I spend time in my shop.

I do woodworking because I am a disabled Veteran suffering from various injuries as well as PTSD. The wood and the use of one and a half hands keeps me busy. It occupies my thoughts and keeps my hands busy. I have always been creative in a number of mediums but the time in the workshop is the most therapeutic.

Woodworking allow me to forget work. I love my work but it’s still work.
I am fascinated by robotic too but with woodworking my hands and brain work differently. It relaxes me more. It’s “simpler” down to earth kind of feeling.

I have spent my entire career as an industrial electrician. Therefore I have worked with metals my entire life. Woodworking builds off of my construction skills and knowledge of tools yet, as Ianwater said, it is a “down to earth kind of feeling” It allows more creativity than wiring a powerplant/factory.
Also, I wanted to make a jewelry box for my daughter and to quote my wife I will “fully embrace anything that involves me buying and using new tools”

“I made that.” That’s why. :-)