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Congratulations Allen!

Congratulations Allen!

Congratulations to Allen Moon of Pelham AL!  Allen was chosen as the winner of the Popular Woodworking Magazine 2016 Workshop Makeover Giveaway. Allen won a new workshop stocked with more than $9,200 of tools from Jet, Bessey and Woodpeckers.

Allen is retired after more than 45 years in the healthcare industry. He is also a private pilot, has been woodworking since his teens and would love to have a CNC machine someday. We asked Allen a few questions about his shop, and what this prize means to him as a woodworker (and for his car’s inevitable future, living outside of the garage).

What was your first project?

Other than the obligatory set of shelves that everyone makes, I made a hexagon shaped dining table with inlayed Italian tile. The only tool was a Craftsman table saw, which I still have.

What tools do you find yourself using most around the shop?

Table saw, drill press, sliding miter saw, mortising cutter, random orbit sander.

What project do you plan on working on next with your new equipment?

A real desk for my office. Good-bye to my brother’s particle board, wood grain laminate monstrosity.

What does this win mean to you?

I’ll be able to build a much better desk and other office furniture. And the cars will be parked outside – probably forever. My wife is happy for me getting these tools, but she’s not excited with the garage situation. Guess I need to build her something cool before my desk.

What a pleasant shock to receive the email notifying me that I won the “2016 Workshop Makeover Giveaway”. This prize completes my shop, if a shop is ever actually complete. My only limitations now are space and money. 

I’ve had my eye on most of the Woodpecker products. I won’t have to buy their drill press table, router table, and saw gauge now because I won them. I haven’t seen a Woodpecker product that I don’t want.

I can’t wait to use the jointer and planer, and the lathe has been on my to-buy list. My shop is almost done and I’m way out of space.

I’ll see a piece of furniture or a decorative item I like and go home and try to make it fit my needs. I like to use reclaimed wood with faults that I fill with “stuff” and seal with clear epoxy. I also like to mix wood with brass/copper and tile. I weld too. Chinese style furniture in deep red really grabs me. 

Congratulations Allen!

— Jon Russelburg


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Comments
  • noosage

    Congratulations Allen, looks like these tools went to the right guy. A bigger shop is next on the list!

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