Saskatchewan, Canada - As much as we love our jobs, everyone needs the chance to get away from work and find a retreat. Often hobbies serve as a way to gear down from work and gear up for home time, or to give our lives the creative outlet we may not always find in our workplace. For firefighter Darcy Rusk of Saskatchewan, Canada, woodworking is the hobby that rejuvenates him for an enjoyable but sometimes stressful job.
“It is good to have something completely different and relaxing that lets you escape the normal grind,” says Rusk.
Rusk has always had an interest in working with wood, and like many, was inspired by others in his family who had a deep love for creation.
“My grandfather was an incredible craftsman and could do amazing things with wood. He was a master wheelwright and could make most anything from wood.” Rusk continues, “He made many pieces of furniture for himself as well as other people. Many of these pieces are still around today even though he passed away many years ago.”
Rusk is quite an accomplished woodworker himself, though he modestly speaks of his own work. Throughout his home you will find many of his completed and impressive projects such as shelves, cabinets and cupboards..
When pressed for one of his favorites, he says, “I am proud of an island I made for our kitchen that we use daily.”
On display in his home are quite a few turned pieces. Wood turning is one of his favorite projects to take on as he likes the rapid results. “Pieces can take shape quite quickly in turning versus days or weeks in cabinetry,” he says.
“In wood turning, pieces can be made from chunks of wood that cannot or would not be used any other way. I have made some very nice pieces from chunks of wood scavenged from the local dump. I have also used wood from trees that were removed in my neighborhood and would have either been burnt or put into the landfill.”
Aiding him in his woodturning projects is his Laguna Tools 18/47 wood lathe. Initially apprehensive about purchasing and having the lathe delivered to Canada, he found it to be a problem free-process and was able to put it to work right away.
“The 18/47 runs smoothly and is very quiet in operation; I find myself turning at higher rpm's because it is so smooth and quiet. This is the first lathe I have had with variable speed, and this is definitely a feature that I will not be able to live without. Just turn the dial to get the exact speed required-no more changing belts to get about the right speed,” says Rusk.
Rusk enjoys the satisfaction that a finished piece brings whether it is useful or just enjoyable to look at. A piece of wood can take you on an amazing journey, and you never know where it may lead. Each one has its own life waiting to be brought out, a voice which must be heard.
When asked if he had any future woodworking plans, Rusk states, “I am waiting to see were it goes, but it is possible.” Woodworkers know; it is the wood that leads and anything is always possible.
