Beth n Rod 1,279 Report post Posted March 24, 2005 The amazing wood kid By Rob Golub RACINE - Give Nick Roy, 15, some wood. Stand back. Results follow. After you visit the blinds, bathrooms and builders at the Home Expo today, you'll find teenage entrepreneur Nick Roy in the basement of Memorial Hall. He's selling his labor of love. He's selling yet more stuff he's made out of wood. What's interesting about his carpentry is that he picked it up with absolutely no training whatsoever. No books on carpentry. No home repair TV watching. He just made it all up. [/url]It all started when, one day, he asked his dad to build him skateboard ramps in their Racine backyard. When dad said he didn't know if he had the time, Nick asked dad if he could at least have the wood. Much to everyone's surprise, Nick then went ahead and built a small skateboard park. That was sixth grade. Now, as a freshman at Case High School, Nick finds he's the expert. "We're learning how to make boxes now in shop class so I'm a little ahead," he admitted. Nick's father, Charles Roy, 42, gave his son some space in front of his Memorial Hall booth, CCC & W Deck Cleaning & Power Washing. Nick displays smooth, professional-looking and hand-made wooden boxes at a small table at the front of the booth. Nick sold a $45 box Saturday, his first-ever sale. "It feels great," he said. "At first I wanted to be an architect and then I found out I wouldn't be able to build stuff so I decided I want to be a carpenter," he said. "I want to start my own carpentry business. When I grow old that's what I would like to do in life." Why wait? Nick wants to start up his business now, at age 15. Forget boxes. Next, he wants to try building and selling cabinets and entertainment centers. http://www.journaltimes.com/articles/2005/03/20/local/iq_3446479.txt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beth n Rod 1,279 Report post Posted March 24, 2005 Note: The young man in this article is the son of Charlie Roy, a member here on TGS. Charlie, thanks for sharing this with us. Hope you don't mind that I wanted to post it here for posterity. Great article! Beth Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
charlie 14 Report post Posted March 25, 2005 No problem Beth. The wood he uses is exotic wood for his pieces. The best part of this is that he had 25-30 people come up to him and said they came down there to see him. He also got two more orders. Charlie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beth n Rod 1,279 Report post Posted March 25, 2005 Charlie if you have any photos of his work, post them, with prices of the items. Some of the wood lovers here might be interested in them. ;) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
reed 500 Report post Posted March 25, 2005 Congrats Charley, and MOST OF ALL, CONGRATS NICK. Love it when the youth of today have theirs talents put forth and not sitting around the computer games. As they say where I was raised, You done good by him Charley. Reed Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
charlie 14 Report post Posted March 25, 2005 Here is his website. users.wi.net/~ed95 Charlie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beth n Rod 1,279 Report post Posted March 25, 2005 Charlie - can you provide the full URL? The partial you gave didn't work for me, and I might just need to purchase an original Nick Roy! Beth Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RyanH 14 Report post Posted March 26, 2005 Sounds like my cousin. He was making skateboards in junior high, guitars in high school, violins, cellos and some REALLY fancy exotic wood furniture since. Top notch quality with no formal training. I think since then he's turned his attention to masonry work. Amazing stuff, though none of it made it to me. It's cool when people like these guys seem to have these amazing natural talents. i'm more respective of that type of talent than just about any other personal trait. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
charlie 14 Report post Posted March 26, 2005 Beth http://users.wi.net/~ed95/ Charlie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beth n Rod 1,279 Report post Posted March 27, 2005 Thanks Charlie! Let's also welcome Nick Roy to the BBS. Looks like he joined. Nick, we would love to learn more about your craft, and the beautiful work you do. Beth Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newlook 265 Report post Posted March 27, 2005 Charlie and Nick...welcom aboard. I was on your site. Outstanding work. As Reed said, it is good to see youth doing something positive and productive. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nickscustomcarpentry 14 Report post Posted March 27, 2005 Well thanks alot everybody. I love making exotic pieces of art and having my own bussiness I can do that and earn some money for other tools and expand my shop. Right now I'm tring to learn how to make mini cabinets and end-tables and I should have those out early summer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Howard 50 Report post Posted March 28, 2005 Welcome Nick and Charlie Nick, Nice work, good quality wood work is very hard to find. Have you ever thought of making Cigar Humidor's? They're not much bigger than what your making now. Just a thought. Again very nice work. Howard Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
charlie 14 Report post Posted March 28, 2005 I told him he should make earns for people loves one. Charlie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nickscustomcarpentry 14 Report post Posted March 28, 2005 Yea i have thought about humidors. I have to do a little research on how big most cigars are and what kinds of wood is best for cigars. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Celeste 341 Report post Posted March 29, 2005 Just a female view - I think wooden jewelry boxes are exquisite for both men and women :) Nick, your work is very impressive :) Celeste Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Howard 50 Report post Posted March 29, 2005 Nick This site has a good description of what a humidor is what it does and what woods to avoid and which ones are the best. I also has deminisions as well. Enjoy reading. http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/pages/w00069.asp Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nickscustomcarpentry 14 Report post Posted March 29, 2005 Thank you, it will probaly be awhile on the humidors though I like to test my boxes on friends and family first. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Howard 50 Report post Posted March 30, 2005 No problem Nick, let me know when they're ready for prime time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
charlie 14 Report post Posted April 5, 2005 He just got a lathe today and is turning things already. I am going to have him make me some wooden pens. Charlie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JFife 14 Report post Posted April 7, 2005 Nick, You are seriously da man!! Good job not being a worthless punk like probably 90% or us were when we were your age! I loved that bloodwood/cherry box, when work picks up and I get over the winter money blues (dad will understand that one:)) I am going to buy one of those. I am sure your dad is proud of you, but more importantly, you should give yourself a big ole' pat on the back for not being afraid to take a risk and doing something you love with your talents. Best of luck to your future, and all the great things I'm sure it will hold, jon Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Celeste 341 Report post Posted April 7, 2005 Hey Nick, Just remember, if you can love your trade, you'll always be happy with your job. This is a great talent that you have and you can go far with it! (But you still need to go to college!) Celeste Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nickscustomcarpentry 14 Report post Posted May 10, 2005 i have moved to www.nccwoodworking.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
