I derive much satisfaction from working with my hands, with machinery, and tools of all sorts. Creating and building is at the very core of my being. From my earliest memories, I have been making things. Great satisfaction comes from making an object that fills my dreams and expectations perfectly. Not that it happens often, but it’s always my goal.

While I might say I’m self taught in many ways, I have to acknowledge I have had help from friends, peers, and enemies all along the way. Perhaps I have a natural aptitude for things mechanical, for working with my hands. Yes, that is partly true. Much credit is due to the fact that I work with my hands every day, subconsciously training my hands and mind to work together. This doesn't happen by reading books or watching videos or wanting those skills really badly. It comes from training your body, mind and eye, with actual hands-on practice. I consider every gun I make as practice. I always push my skills a little beyond what I know I can do. I stretch slowly, but steadily toward my goals.

I grew up in upstate New York, in the foothills of the Berkshires, within earshot of Henry Hudson playing ninepins. I’ve got five brothers and four sisters. One brother, Frank, had to know what I was doing all the time. I had a full time audience with him peeking through the crack in my door, all I would allow. Now I can’t get enough of him.

For first grade, I went to Spencertown Academy, a two room school house. Then I went to Catholic schools for too many years, including high school at Saint Joseph's Seraphic Seminary. I attended Syracuse University but halfway through, realizing in a flash I was done with formal education.

I worked various jobs over the years, among them a machinist position in a plastics firm. I have been running my own machining business since 1990, primarily serving the local plastics industries. As I get older, I wish to spend more of my time at building guns and creative work.

I lost a very dear friend recently. If there is any message in that for me, it’s do what you really want to do, and start now.