Casual Friday
I found myself working alone in the shop this afternoon. Brad was out on the island, John was home with strep throat and Nolan had left early for the mountains. While I think I can speak for the whole shop when I say how much we enjoy the social aspect of working together, it is nice to have some quiet time to really get some work done… just you, your spokeshave and a little Steely Dan. While making my rounds before leaving for the day, checking that the iron is off, the heat is turned down and the compressor is unplugged, it occurred to me just how darn cool this place is. So I thought I’d walk around and snap some quick photos with my phone to show you some of the things we see on a daily basis. All in all, 5 kits packed and ready for UPS, somewhere around 15 boards in various states of construction, and our beloved Pug in the shop for final touches before our next demo tour (East Coast here we come).
February 7th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
nice pics….shop looks pretty cool. must be a cool vibe hangin out and making cool boards. def some skills happening there, the boards ive seen look so good…ive always wanted a wooden board (even just the poly ones with just a top coat to look like wood) but know i know where i can get a real wooden board….and you guys are only a couple hours away…time to try and save some $$…..haaa…..take care….Steven
February 7th, 2010 at 12:35 pm
Steely Dan? You are such a dork. The shop, however, is very cool.
xoxo – Alison
February 7th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Having visited the shop a few times b/4 and while I was making my Waterlog, it does have a good vibe. Friendly people willing to answer any question and share tips on the board building process.
Re: Alison’s comment above – lighten up, one person’s music may not appeal to you but we all like what we like!!
February 8th, 2010 at 12:44 am
and not a computer in sight. take me back!
February 8th, 2010 at 10:36 pm
Mike, some people have a knack to create a cool and special place. A place that looks so full of soul and that fill people who sit at a desk for a large part of the day, like me, with a sense of envy! It keeps me motivated to finish my board.
I can hear Pretzel Logic playing in my mind.
February 9th, 2010 at 7:33 am
I’m sure Mike knows I’m just giving him a hard time. Just dishing back what I’ve taken for being a Justin Timberlake fan. I have no judgment of his love for Steely Dan or yacht rock.
February 9th, 2010 at 9:46 am
Alison, wow, do you realize that you just admitted that on the world wide web?
February 9th, 2010 at 5:55 pm
Nice images Mike. It makes me miss the shop and you guys who seem to always be there. At least I still get to see Brad – he comes out to the island smelling like a hamster cage, and I know he’s been working hard there at the shop – immersed in Cedar.
February 10th, 2010 at 9:16 am
How far south will the Grain-mobile be coming on the impending east coast tour? Will the poor, surf starved, Maine transplants living in South Florida get a visit?
February 10th, 2010 at 10:29 am
The Grain shop is a cool place for sure and smells like no other board shop I’ve visited. Had my waterlog kit all over the living room floor the other night. I wouldn’t be surprised if my bottom planks were cut from the same log as the Paipo in this post. Can’t wait till the weather warms up my garage so I can get going on my new board.
February 16th, 2010 at 5:29 am
Great pics Mike, makes me remanisce! cant wait to get back there for another class – the smell of fresh cedar, the sweet artwork that serounds you as you work, the sound of spokeshaves taking long comitted strokes. Not to mention the beautiful seroundings outside the barn, loved the drive in everyday! *sigh* Its only a matter of time
February 24th, 2010 at 9:14 am
Love the 3rd in the set of the dark cedar stripes the best. Nice shot, Mike.