It is easier to write when you are dreaming...

crtreedude · February 07, 2008, 04:03:27 AM

Hi folks,

I don't write much as some of you might have noticed (perhaps with relief? :D ) now a days. I guess when you are figuring and a dreaming, it is easier to post a lot, but when you hit full production, boy do you get busy!

Our Baker sawmill has been working very well - Well on its way to pay for itself. This last year not only did we buy the Baker, we also built a furniture / shop and outfitted with machinary and people.

The woodshop is booked solid all the time. North American furniture for Tico prices is really going well, and we turn a decent profit at it based on volume. We have 5 full-time people in the shop cranking out doors, cabinets, molding, spindles, pretty much you name it, they build it.

Now we are building a kiln - dehumidifier style I think (whatever they are called).

Finca Leola sure has grown over the last 5+ years. We are now 30 employees - we have construction crews, full-time mechanic, full-time electrician plumber, and of course the crews for the plantations, the nursery and a couple of people just for livestock.

Sometimes I wonder what business we really are in! :D

Anyway, just letting everyone know we are alive and well.

Warbird · February 07, 2008, 10:49:29 AM

Glad to hear you are well. Congrats on the wood shop, it sounds awesome.

Robert Long · February 07, 2008, 11:25:34 AM

Send pictures of your operation!

We'd love to see them!

Robert

logwalker · February 07, 2008, 12:05:16 PM

How can you make a tantalizing post like that and NOT INCLUDE PICTURES !!!

crtreedude · February 07, 2008, 12:33:57 PM

Dear me - I see I have forgotten the most basic of rules - must post pictures!

Honest, I will get to it quickly I hope.

leweee · February 07, 2008, 12:39:19 PM

FRED.....you know pics are a (pre...Wreck ..was it) with this post. ;D

SwampDonkey · February 07, 2008, 05:59:49 PM

Glad to here everything is well down there.

Did I mention it was cold and white up here? Tends to bring things to a halt. ;D

3 more months and we'll be whacking bushes again.

crtreedude · February 08, 2008, 04:51:24 AM

Okay - photos on their way. This is a lathe we got from Grizzley that we are using to make spindles - The lathe is kept turn pretty much all the time. You will see a copier attachment. The experienced worker makes the first one - and then an apprentice copies.

crtreedude · February 08, 2008, 04:53:52 AM

One thing that we make as well is carvings, these are done by our head of construction

crtreedude · February 08, 2008, 04:56:25 AM

Doors are a big item for us - both full size and cabinet. Full size goes for 200 dollars, cabinet doors go for 24 dollars each.

and finished

logwalker · February 08, 2008, 12:26:15 PM

Where are those doors going? Joe

Roxie · February 08, 2008, 02:10:31 PM

Is that an armadillo on that table of carvings? How much do ya want for that?

Robert Long · February 08, 2008, 04:13:16 PM

Nice pics!

Is your work shop in the open air? Out here that machinery would be rusty in one week!

Keep the pics comming 8)

Robert

scgargoyle · February 08, 2008, 04:24:19 PM

Soooo- how do I get some of those doors delivered to FL?

Mooseherder · February 08, 2008, 06:21:22 PM

I'd like to purchase a Turtle Carving and maybe one of those masks. ;)

crtreedude · February 08, 2008, 07:52:10 PM

Quote from: Roxie on February 08, 2008, 02:10:31 PM
Is that an armadillo on that table of carvings? How much do ya want for that?

Nope - Amy bought it for me for my birthday that is coming up - it is on my shelf now. It really is pretty.

crtreedude · February 08, 2008, 07:59:31 PM

By the way, I am hoping soon to have a distributor in Florida - then you all can buy things - but not my Armidillo! But I am sure that we can make another. ;)

The turtle was bought by the distributor - it might not be obvious, but the turtle was made of the roots of a palm tree - the circles are where the roots were.

Also, the mask is from a type of palm here that is very hard. Interesting stuff for sure.