Thread: Hello to all from me!

Hello all. My name is Mark, and I have been a "lurker" on here for years, but have never posted anything. So its about time I guess!!!! My name on here, "Dovetailmap", is a combination of my favorite wood join that I have yet to master, and my initials.

My home is a little mubbrick on an acre in Heathcote Junction in Victoria, which I am renovating with my wife, no children, 14 misc broken parrots, 3 cats and a perpetually hungry labrador!! (Is there another kind??? )

Survived the Black Saturday bushfires, - easily the worst day of my life so far. It was so bad that at one point we hugged and said goodbye to each other, only for the wind to change, and drive the fire toward Kinglake. We are still dealing with it...

I work as a Product Designer for a small plastic fabrication business in Thomastown, designing mostly shopfitting solutions for Coles, Myer, Australia Post, Aldi, among others. If you have been to any of these stores, you HAVE seen my work. The work is good and as a bonus, I have unlimited access to CNC Lasers, Routers, Milling Machines, Lathes, Welding gear, etc etc. Very handy for the budding woodworker like myself. (And others here of course....)

I enjoy surfing and hiking. I like to go rock climbing when I can. I love mucking around with Subarus'. And I really enjoy designing/making my own furniture and related items, hence my lurking here. I am in the process of fitting out my workshop with goodies!!! Working with wood is my first true love, and has been so since my uni studies, but could never find a well paid job designing with wood. But that still remains my ultimate goal down the track - to work for myself design and making commissions etc. I have done a few already, and found it an extremely rewarding experience, albeit, doesnt pay the bills....

Thats about it for now.

Thank you to all those who contribute to what is easily the best woodworking forum on the net. I have visited them all, and this one is streets ahead.

Mark