If you are interested in getting started in the Wood Shop or have a specific project that you would like to make but don’t feel confident in taking it on by yourself, there is help available. A few of our Wood Shop members have experience and knowledge that they are willing to share with you. After checking out their woodworking bios below, reach out to the one that you think will be the greatest help to you and arrange a time to meet in the Shop. This is a voluntary program, so not all the mentors may be available. You do need to be a member of the Center, have taken Equipment/Safety & Orientation classes and be an active, paid member of the Wood Shop.
OUR MENTORS
Jack Thielmann – (269) 369-1190 is a host in the Wood Shop almost every Thursday afternoon. He has a wide knowledge of the proper use of tools and machines. He has made many small projects and is our go-to guy for making things for use in the shop and for sale as fundraisers.
Jim Neuman – (269) 921-0437 has been a hobbyist woodworker for over fifty years. He has taught woodworking to home school students and adults. His experience covers a broad range from making small boxes to large furniture. Go to his Facebook page to view an album of some of the things he has made.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3388861079829&type=3
Jeff Starke – (269) 449-7174 has made a lot of things using hand tools. He is very adept at making wooden spoons and carved bowls. In addition to being a woodworker, Jeff is a blacksmith and often incorporates that into his woodworking projects.
John Kubicek – (702) 622-4031 was about twelve when his uncle taught him woodworking basics and proper use and safety of tools and machines. He took wood shop classes throughout high school including a class that built an agricultural classroom on campus. He started community college in the working trades and went on to graduate with a degree in industrial Technology. He has always had a home wood shop where he has designed and made cabinets and workbenches along with a myriad of projects. He scratch-built several radio-controlled models including the HMS Bounty Long Boat. John sometimes posts photos of things he has made on his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100016856680279
Bob Mann – (269) 449-2603 is a well-rounded woodworker having made a variety of items ranging from furniture to small gift items. He is familiar with all the tools and machines in the Wood Shop. He will be particularly helpful with scroll sawing, router table work, and spindle turning on the lathe.
Bruce Banghart – (269) 277-3066 has wide-spread experience in woodworking. He has an uncanny ability to figure out just about anything that needs doing.
Tom McDonough – (269) 240-8617 became interested in woodworking when he took Wood Shop in Junior High School. He attended an industrial arts university studying woodworking, drafting, sheet metal, welding, machine shop and auto shop. Since those early years he has created many projects (mostly commissions) which ultimately led to his focusing on his furniture and antique restoration business in his Wood and Stained-Glass shop.
Steve Smith – (765) 543-4734 has made many ballpoint pens and quite a few cutting boards.
Nick Weingart – (269) 235-1416 started woodworking at a very young age. He’s made things from dining tables to birdhouses.
Alan Golichowski – (317) 750-9697 is a woodcarver willing to teach beginners.
St. Joseph-Lincoln Senior Service Center 