When the project began to replace the stairs, railings, lattice work and such, I was a novice with woodworking tools. I could use a circular saw and a jigsaw; maybe a hand plane for rough work. But all that changed.
I would wager there are few people outside his family that knows his real name. Everyone just calls him Jim Bo. He agreed that I could be his helper and I recall that one of his earlier comments was, “You can start by cutting the pickets. I will make it easy for you and build you a jig.”
To show you the height of my ignorance I asked him bluntly, “What in the world is a jig!?” Right then and there my schooling began. Jim Bo taught me how to accurately measure and cut; how to angle and square; how to cross-cut and rip boards. Every skill he taught was underscored with safety; wear goggles and masks; use the fence for its intended purpose; develop a rule to keep your hands and fingers away from saw blades at a minimum of three to five inches.
He taught me to think and when I found I couldn’t think, he recommended I take a break. “Step back and look at your project frequently,” he said. “Then, as you become seasoned, start putting your own spin on things.”
I gained an enormous amount of knowledge from Jim Bo. But most of all, he gave me the confidence to step out on my own to utilize that knowledge. What began as an embryo has now fully developed into a custom woodworking shop where we are building lots of beautiful pieces to sell.
Keith was “keeping book” on every tool I mentioned; each trip from the local box store produced yet another item from my wish list… table saw, router, band saw, drill press, Kreg pocket hole joiner, dremel, nail gun, staple gun, joiner/planer and on and on and on.
Our latest completed project is a Farm House Bed of which we take great pride in building.

The six drawers under the bed add lots of storage space. The boxes that house the drawers act as a “box spring” so only a Queen Sized plump mattress is all that is necessary. Thanks to Keith for his support, his patience and his muscle. It could not have been possible without him!