The Heart of Woodworking: My Journey with Bamco Custom Woodworking Inc.
So, I was sitting on my porch the other day, sipping my coffee—probably way too much, if I’m being honest—and I started thinking about all the projects I’ve tackled with Bamco Custom Woodworking Inc. You know, sometimes I feel like I’m in over my head, but there’s just something magical about working with wood that keeps dragging me back in.
Bamco, for anyone who doesn’t know, is a small woodworking shop I stumbled upon a few years back. It’s run by this amazing fellow named Mark—just the friendliest guy you’ll ever meet. He’s the kind of guy who can turn a block of oak into a stunning dining table, and he makes it look so easy that it’s almost infuriating. I thought, "Hey, if he can do it, why can’t I?" Spoiler alert: it wasn’t as easy as I thought.
Lessons in Lumber
Now, my first project with him was a simple bookshelf—just something for my kids. I figured it’d be a walk in the park. I remember standing in front of that stack of maple and oak, tools spread around like some kind of chaotic art installation. I had my trusty miter saw and my old DeWalt drill. But let me tell you, I had no clue what I was getting into.
I almost gave up when I realized I had cut the pieces of wood too short—yep, classic rookie mistake. I can still hear the sound of the saw rattling as I pushed that blade through the wood, and then the sickening silence when I held up the pieces. I laughed at myself, honestly. Who does that? I thought I could measure twice and cut once, but somehow, I turned that into “measure once and wing it.”
The Smells and Sounds
What I love most about woodworking—and if you’ve ever done it, you know—are the sounds and smells. We’re talking about the earthy scent of freshly cut wood, a bit nutty with that sweet aroma, mingling with the biting smell of sawdust in the air. The sound of the sander whirring is like music to my ears. It’s therapeutic, really.
After I nearly threw the pieces in the trash, I went back to the drawing board and decided to salvage what I could. I headed back to Bamco, sheepishly explaining my disaster to Mark. He chuckled and went on to explain the importance of patience and the right measurements—simple things, but I had skipped over them in my hurry to create.
"You gotta check your cuts, buddy," he said, with that warm grin. It’s funny how everything just clicked after that conversation. I learned that a inch makes a world of difference when you’re building something from scratch.
Breaking New Ground
So I regrouped, bought more wood (this time, a beautiful birch), and I spent a weekend in my garage, finding that sweet spot of joy and frustration. My garage isn’t much to look at. It’s a hodgepodge of tools, leftover paint cans, and an old heater that doesn’t do much to keep the chill away during the winter. I had that heater blasting while I sanded down the new pieces, and even through the cold, sweat was trickling down my back.
I remember the way my hands felt, raw and splintered, but when I finally fit those pieces together, it felt like catching lightning in a bottle. I made a simple frame, then added some shelves, and in the end, I was grinning like I’d just scored a touchdown. I even painted it a bright robin’s egg blue that screams spring every time I glance at it.
The Family Touch
But the best part? When my kids helped me finish it up. They loved taking turns with the paintbrush, even if they ended up splattering more paint on the floor than the shelf itself. My daughter, with her little hands covered in that gorgeous blue, looked up at me and said, “Daddy, this is our shelf!” That hit me right in the feels.
It made all the frustrations, all the moments I almost threw in the towel, totally worth it. Not just that we created something for the house, but that we made memories in the process.
Just Go for It
Reflecting back, I wish someone had told me that it’s okay to make mistakes. That’s the heart of it, really. There’s magic in the mess, and every flaw tells a story—even if it’s a little embarrassing. If you’re thinking about diving into woodworking or any DIY project, just go for it. You might just surprise yourself at what you can create when you embrace the chaos.
Now, every time I glance at that shelf loaded with books and knickknacks, I don’t just see wood. I see laughter, some minor tears, and a journey that’s worth reliving over a warm cup of coffee on my porch. So, grab your tools, your wood, and your friends, and get to it. You won’t regret it.
