I started working for Grandpa while I was in high school. He was a
hand wood-turner from Holland. He would turn the posts on one lathe
and I would sand them on another. Eventually I was doing most of the
turning as well. I also worked as a residential construction carpenter
and completed four years of apprenticeship training and earned (not
bought) my Journeyman’s Certificate. Grandpa officially retired (1976)
and I took over.
I expanded the business that year to include some handrail
components but instead of buying and reselling mass-produced
factory rail and fittings, I elected to custom make everything
according to actual job-site requirements (just like Grandpa taught
me). While supplying a few local builders, I got to know some very
good finish carpenters and it wasn’t long before I hired one. This was
the beginning of my stair contracting business which continued until
1991. During that time we focused on “high-end” custom staircases for
new and remodeled homes throughout much of Southern California.
Because I was willing (and able) to make custom stair parts from
scratch (especially for curved stairs) I was afforded the opportunity to
work on some of the largest and finest estate homes. Working with
discriminating clients and architects continually challenged me and
eventually lead me to where I am today.
Today (and since 1991) I make only “sculptural” handrail parts for
other stair companies and individuals. I’ve learned that even the most
capable stair building professionals often welcome a little qualified
help with a difficult or time consuming piece. Professionally, this is
where I think I do the most good…instead of building just a few custom
stairs a year, I am now involved in hundreds of projects.
Today, I am as determined as ever to help improve the stair building
industry (one piece at a time) and my “best work” has now become
an important part of the other guys “best work” The home owner’s
themselves are the real beneficiaries of a “job done right”.
Incidentally, I still have Grandpa’s old ten-foot wooden lathe and still
enjoy doing a little hand-turning.
Thanks for your time.
hand wood-turner from Holland. He would turn the posts on one lathe
and I would sand them on another. Eventually I was doing most of the
turning as well. I also worked as a residential construction carpenter
and completed four years of apprenticeship training and earned (not
bought) my Journeyman’s Certificate. Grandpa officially retired (1976)
and I took over.
I expanded the business that year to include some handrail
components but instead of buying and reselling mass-produced
factory rail and fittings, I elected to custom make everything
according to actual job-site requirements (just like Grandpa taught
me). While supplying a few local builders, I got to know some very
good finish carpenters and it wasn’t long before I hired one. This was
the beginning of my stair contracting business which continued until
1991. During that time we focused on “high-end” custom staircases for
new and remodeled homes throughout much of Southern California.
Because I was willing (and able) to make custom stair parts from
scratch (especially for curved stairs) I was afforded the opportunity to
work on some of the largest and finest estate homes. Working with
discriminating clients and architects continually challenged me and
eventually lead me to where I am today.
Today (and since 1991) I make only “sculptural” handrail parts for
other stair companies and individuals. I’ve learned that even the most
capable stair building professionals often welcome a little qualified
help with a difficult or time consuming piece. Professionally, this is
where I think I do the most good…instead of building just a few custom
stairs a year, I am now involved in hundreds of projects.
Today, I am as determined as ever to help improve the stair building
industry (one piece at a time) and my “best work” has now become
an important part of the other guys “best work” The home owner’s
themselves are the real beneficiaries of a “job done right”.
Incidentally, I still have Grandpa’s old ten-foot wooden lathe and still
enjoy doing a little hand-turning.
Thanks for your time.
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| Background/History |
Grandpa
Copyright © 2008 by Jim Baldwin
Jim Baldwin
