Name: Bernie Weishapl
DOB: 3/13/47
Physical description
6 ft. 210 lbs. dark brown hair turning white with a receding hairline.
Location (for how long, previous locations, etc)
I live in Goodland, Kansas. Been here for 33 yrs. Previous to that was the U S Army.
Family information (brag on your spouse, kids, grandkids, dog, etc)
I have been married for 39 yrs. to the LOML Mary Ann. We have one son. He is married and living in Richmond, Virginia. We have wonderful DIL and 3 grand children.
Vocation (what do you do for a living, and what have you done previously)
I work for the Federal Aviation Administration. Been here for 24 yrs. Previous to that I was with Motorola servicing 2-way radio's. I also own and operate a part time clock repair and restoration shop.
Website?
No
Equipment Overview (lathe, tools, etc)
I have a 15" lathe, a MIDI lathe, table saw, 6 1/8" jointer, 12" planer, 2 bandsaws 1 14" grizzly, 1 Delta 10" benchtop, Drill Press, Compoud mitre saw, dust collector and numerous hand tools.
How many lathes have (or do) you own? Tell us about 'em.
I have 2 lathes. One is a new Sears 15" inboard turning and 20" outboard. I also have a Delta Midi.
How many turning tools do you have?
I have 21 tools. Too many and not enough.
Tell us about your shop
The wood portion of my shop is 12 X 20. It is under the same roof as my clock shop. As I get closer to retirement I am going to tone down the clock shop and expand my wood working shop.
How long turning?
6 months
What got you into turning?
Mainly my brother but a lot of inmates on here (Corey Hallagan & Bob Noles). I had been lurking on the site for quite a while and decided to take the plunge.
What do you enjoy most about turning?
I think it is the solitude and watching a piece of wood turn into a beautiful object.
What was your first completed turned project?
A black locust bowl. Boy was it hard. One of the guys told me it is not a good wood to begin with but I liked what I saw in the wood.
What is your favorite form that you turn?
As I just completed my first hollow form I would have to say Boxes and HF's. Big Mike got me into those boxes. I love HF's.
What is your favorite form someone else turns/has turned?
That is hard to say but HF's by Travis Stinson and Jim Ketron, plus Big Mike's boxes. I hope I can get that good some day.
What is your favorite wood to work with and why?
Honduran Mahogany or Teak. Both turn extremely well and finish awful nice.
Have you met or hung out with any turnin' Creekers? Tell us about it.
No but I hope to someday. I am hoping next time down in Virginia I would like to travel over and meet Jim Ketron.
What is your favorite individual piece that you have turned, and why?
My favorite piece is the HF I just completed. Probably because it was my first and it turned out better than I had ever dreamed.
What is your favorite piece someone else has turned, and why?
Again there are so many. Travis and Jim have some awful nice HF's I would like to be able to do. Also Big Mike's boxes.
What do you not turn now that you want to - or plan to - in the future?
I guess it would be a NE bowl. I have always wanted to do one.
What brought you to SMC?
I was looking for woodworking advice and stumbled onto this site 1 1/2 yrs. ago. Being here with everyone is the best thing since apple butter. Well maybe since Andy was a pup.
Got any nicknames? How'd you get it?
I guess if Ken can be honest I will to. My neices and nephews always called me Big B and it stuck.
Now let's get a little deep... If you were a tree, what tree would you be and why?
Walnut. I guess because it is a beautiful tree and beautiful wood but still the wood is hard and tough.
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