USA Pacific Northwest

[Fuzzie]

I'll be doing a road trip through Oregon and Washington states later this year. Are there any cool woodies places that shouldn't be missed along the coastal strip?

Is it worth trying to fit in a stop in Fort Bragg, CA along the way? I figure the home of College of the Redwoods and Hock tools should at least have some eye candy around somewhere. Does Hock Tools have a shop with a rejects bin?

[Fuzzie]

Maybe if I could spell Northwest correctly I'd get an answer.

[BobL]

I've been in that area a couple of times and I love it.

In Seattle;
Hardwicks and Sons Interesting old school (looks like a 19th century mining store) hardware with a range of tools you won't see anywhere else.
http://www.ehardwicks.com

Not woody but I can recommend; the Space needle for views; Ride the Army Ducks city tour, and the Science Fiction and =Music museums, if you are into any of those and even if you aren't.

Masdens in Amboy if you are into chainsaws and milling.

You might get some ideas from these threads
https://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=118782

If you can get to Vancouver there's the Lee Valley Store and a little further north there is this
https://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=118999 - this is really worth seeing

[Fuzzie]

Thanks Bob,
The Inside Passage School looks cool, but unfortunately we're unlikely to be going into BC on this trip.
We're looking to stay a few nights at this place in Portland, which could be interesting.

[BobL]

Thanks Bob,
The Inside Passage School looks cool, but unfortunately we're unlikely to be going into BC on this trip.
We're looking to stay a few nights at this place in Portland, which could be interesting.

Looks good - make sure you post some pics.

[joe greiner]

Apparently tours aren't available until May, but Pilchuck Glass School, NE of Seattle, has some spectacular wood buildings.

Cheers,
Joe

[artme]

Ana and I will be there in Seattle about mid June.

Thanks for the info Bobble.

[ian]

Port Townsend for
Pygmy Boats
Northwest School of Wooden Boat building
Port Townsend School of Woodworking and Preservation Trades

Portland, Oregon Gary Rogowski's woodworking school -- The Northwest Woodworking Studio

[Fuzzie]

Well after an inauspicious start, flying out of the GC on the 21st, connection to SYD 3 hours late because of nasty weather, missed flight to LA. Still storming on the 22nd, new flight to LA leaves another 3 hrs late, arrives 4hrs late to LA, missed rebooked connection to San Francisco, finally got to SF 1 day late.

Picked up car next day and have been driving up spectacular coast toward Portland for the last few days. Visualise 1000km of the Great Ocean Rd and you get the idea!

Many roadside timber yards/craft places particularly in Nthn California. I briefly toyed with the idea of stopping,but reality is no space in luggage for boards or burls - I guess turners would be more inclined to pick up small pieces for pen blanks or other smalls.

Stopped in Ft Bragg as Ron Hocks shop address is on the main highway near the centre of town. No signage but I walked around the back of the block anyway and found a small 2 room shipping department/workshop. No retail. Impressively small operation. Friendly people, but unfortunately no seconds bin

Didn't see any furniture galleries and too pressed for time to search out on spec the College of Redwoods school ( there are quite a few campuses over many miles)

Interesting climate here. Max 14 yesterday, 27 today, 15 tomorrow.

[Fuzzie]

For the metal heads the maintenance lathe in the SF cable car powerhouse and the cable pulling system:
cable1.jpg cable2.jpg

For the woodies, a piece of antique furniture in the cable rooms and the floor made out of endgrain bricks.
cable3.jpg

And one of the many roadside lumber shops, they usually sell carvings as well, but more usually bears and post boxes. I think the prop of this lot had been playing too much dungeons and dragons:
timber.jpg

[issatree]

Hi Fuzzie,
Took awhile to locate him, but we have a Forumite in Seattle, goes by " Ticklingmedusa ", John Lopez.
You might find him, or he may just read this.

[Grumpy John]

...................................................
Interesting climate here. Max 14 yesterday, 27 today, 15 tomorrow.

You only had to come to Melbourne for weather like that .

[Old Croc]

Hi Fuzzie,
Took awhile to locate him, but we have a Forumite in Seattle, goes by " Ticklingmedusa ", John Lopez.
You might find him, or he may just read this.

Sorry guys, John lives in San Diego, right down the bottom end. But Robo hippy is up there somewhere, would love to see him some time,
Rgds,
Crocy.

[Fuzzie]

Thanks guys. As it turns out I haven't got much spare time in the schedule as we seem to be fully occupied with the plan as is so far. I'm not even getting back to update this thread much!

Onward today to drive around Puget Sound Islands a bit and maybe visit

[Fuzzie]

A couple more pics. First a few turning blanks being delivered by train.
logs.jpg

We visited one of the classic park lodges built in the '30's , Timberline lodge on Mt Hood. Amazing wood framing and hand wrought iron work. To make your fire dogs first cut two 6' lengths of railway line, slice the runner from the web and coil neatly to finish.
hood1.jpghood2.jpg