Woodworking on Vacation? Part II
After visiting Dunedin, Florida (see “Woodworking on Vacation? Part 1” below) we headed north a couple hours to the town of Cedar Key. Cedar Key is definitely “old Florida.” I’ve heard it referred to as the “anti-Mouse.” It’s stuck out on an island in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico. (Yes, you can drive to it). From when we first entered the town I felt like we had jumped back 50 years. There are some modern accommodations (though we stayed in a cottage built in 1914), but you won’t find any McDonald’s or Holiday Inn’s here. It’s clearly a “laid-back” fishing community (especially known for its clams).
While driving around town we came onto an old building that was the home of “Wells Wood, Outdoor Furniture.” We found out later that it used to be a Baptist church and I read in the local newspaper that there is some effort to get it onto the National Historic R
egistry. The large barn-style doors were completely open so we stuck our heads in to see what was going on.
There didn’t seem to be anybody in the shop so we just sort of looked around. We saw this sign on one of the benches (click on photo at right to enlarge). We heard later that the “Wood God” was an older man with an incredible amount of energy. 
His main product seemed to be cypress outdoor furniture such as Adirondack chairs. They were very comfortable.
Most of his equipment was old Sears Craftsman. I wondered about why he had mounted his table saw to a single pedestal (click on photo at right)?
Here at Woodsmith, ShopNotes, andWorkbench magazines we’re always showing off the latest and greatest ideas in router tables. But check out these two I saw at Wells Wood (photo at left). They’re just a router 
mounted to the bottom of a piece of fir plywood with legs added. For the “Wood God’s” needs, they probably work just as well as our fancy, schmanzy router tables!
Finally, it’s a good thing I didn’t have a truck with me. Wells Wood was selling beautiful, clear long boards of cypress for only $1.25 a board foot! That would have been tough to pass up.
If you ever get to northwest Florida, stop by Cedar Key. And check out Don Duden, woodturner, as well. His shop is The Natural Experience Wood and Clay Gallery at 334 2nd St. Unfortunately, he was closed when we were in town but I’ve heard some great things about his skills. I understand that he turns daily in his glass-enclosed workshop.
Michelle Pearson said,
Love this shop! The shop, the man himself, and the furniture fit in so well with this quaint town. When (for I know you want to…) you visit this town, be sure to look for his shop. And, have a seat in one of his chairs … they just wrap right around you.
(posted on October 24th, 2009 at 9:55 pm)