The Pedal Gee Bee

I’m an IT guy by trade, specifically: web application design. I spend all day wrangling electronic bits of information into meaningful herds on someone’s screen. It’s a amazingly ethereal and modern profession, requiring a certain level of skill and artistry to pull off. I enjoy it, for the most part, but at the end of the day I’ve got nothing to show my family and friends and say, “I built that”.

I also had a grandfather who loved to work with wood. He may not have been the greatest woodworker there ever was, but as a kid I was always fascinated with the latest thing he created when we’d visit. When I showed everyone the plans for the Gee Bee, he was the only person who not only got excited for me, but wanted to help in any way he could (even though he was very ill). I wish I could have built it with him. Unfortunately, he passed away before construction ever began, and before he could build any toys for his great grandchildren.

His woodworking tools, homebuilt jigs, and creative spirit were passed unto me. For that, I am eternally grateful. While he can’t do any of the actual drawing, cutting, gluing, he’s still here in my shop… and he still lends a hand.