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Interview
My name is Brian Grella and I am the owner of Garage Woodworks LLC. I’m a lover of science and woodworking. I have a Ph.D. in medicinal chemistry which is the field of drug design.
Stats: Hobbyist
Shop size: My wood shop is in a 23′ deep by 22′ wide garage. It’s been a long fought battle, but I have finally and entirely, kicked my wife out of the garage. It’s all mine! 🙂
How long have you been woodworking?
I have been woodworking for about 11 years. I naively bought a table saw to install molding when a miter saw would have done just fine. The table saw, a solid cast iron top contractors saw, was a nice buy and I still use it today.
What is your day job?
Currently, I am a scientific writer. I compile data generated by analytical chemists, make conclusions, and organize everything into a coherent report.
Can you remember your first project and what was it?
My first project was a maple sofa table and it was made with a lot less power tools than what I have today.
What made you decide to start producing online content?
In 2006, I started a webpage for two reasons: I wanted to share my experiences with other woodworkers and I wanted a place to organize all of my experiences and projects for myself, to re-visit.
What was your first video project?
The first video I released was a jig for table saw blade alignment. I released the video in November 4, 2009.
Link: www.garagewoodworks.com/video.php?video=1
What camera setup and editing software do you have, do you have someone helping you, any extra gadgets that you use that helps you film?
I use a Canon T4i for all of my video footage. The camera was purchased via donations from fans and supporters of my podcast. It is capable of producing 1080p resolution footage. My old camera, that I used on my earlier videos (Video 81 and earlier), was a Sony Digital-8 camera and was of low resolution. My video mic is a RØDE Video Mic Pro. The sound that it captures is very good and of low noise and I do not find that I need to do any post production audio editing.
For editing I use Adobe Premiere on a PC.
Gadgets? I recently started using a rolling dolly that I made from a skateboard. This requires an extra pair of hands to use, but my kids and wife don’t mind helping when I ask.
Do you only do woodworking or do you work with any other materials?
Only wood.
Wacky Wood Works: Ah a true woodwork at heart…lol
What is your favorite project you have made so far and why?
Probably my favorite project so far is a Greene and Greene desk that I made for my son. I love making projects that really get used. I expect it to get scratched and banged up. I also expect it to last for generations (hopefully).
 
Do you have a favorite tool, if so what is it and why?
I probably don’t have a favorite tool, but I do have one that I use at least once every woodworking session, and that’s my dial indicator. I’m borderline obsessed with alignment and accuracy. I think this comes from having a scientific background. Scientific equipment must be calibrated to high standards in order to function as expected. This might be where it comes from, but who really knows; it could be in my DNA. My shop tools aren’t aligned; they’re calibrated.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
Where I get my inspiration from seems to change as time passes. I use to get my inspiration by watching The New Yankee Workshop (Norm Abram) and WoodWorks (David Marks), but today it mainly comes from woodworking magazines and websites.
What do you have coming up in the near future?
That would spoil the fun!
Wacky Wood Works: but but but … oh okay…
What advice would you give someone that may want to start making things?
I’ve had this advice on my website for years and I think it still holds true: “One of the most important things that I have learned over the few years I have been making sawdust, is that you DON’T need the most expensive tools to make beautiful furniture!. My first table saw, for example, was far from top-notch and did quite well for me.”
Wacky Wood Works: We agree…
 Fun Fact
I love astronomy. In the warmer months, I like to drag my 9.25″ Schmidt Cassegrain telescope outside and do a little astrophotography. I’ve captured a few deep sky images like the ‘Dumbbell Nebula’ and the ‘Ring Nebula’. I also enjoy photographing planetary objects too.
 Saturn  Ring Nebula Wacky Wood Works would like to thank Brian Grella from Garage Woodworks for his time for doing this interview. We hope it will inspire others to just get out to their shop and make something.
Visit Brian’s website: www.garagewoodworks.com
Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/GarageWoodworks/
Regards
Nighthawk
All photo’s on this page are the property of Brian Grella from Garage Woodworks, Wacky Wood Works has written permission to use them exclusively for this interview. |
