Woodworking Makes Retirement Interesting

Retirement can lead to a whole new life, one that allows a person to embrace dreams and develop interests. Dale Dombrosky, Sidney, discovered that fact when he retired from a long career as a plumber and turned his attention to his hobby of creating everything and anything from wood. He produces marvelous scrollwork, builds birdhouses and furniture, manufactures wind spinners, jar lid openers, key chains, plaques and signs, and creates a whole host of other specialty items.

“I make a little bit of everything,” Dombrosky remarks. “I repair furniture and I also make all sorts of other items from wood. If I see something I like, I have to try to make one myself. I’ve got pattern books to help me as well as thinking up my own ideas. I also whittle out walking sticks and canes.”

Dombrosky likes producing each and every one of his creations, but he particularly finds satisfaction in carving his walking sticks and in his patriotic scrollwork. “I enjoy it all, but all things considered, walking sticks and canes give me a lot of pleasure because each one has its own personality,” Dombrosky comments. “It’s like reading a book. You start it and you don’t know what to expect. When I take a stick and start whittling, I’m often surprised at what I find in there.”

He adds, “I’m most proud of my patriotic scroll work and plaques. I enjoy making items with a patriotic theme.”

Dombrosky’s scrollwork takes several weeks to complete as each piece requires many careful, patient steps to produce a quality finished product. However, attention to detail pays off as Dombrosky produces amazing results with his work. “I make over 1000 saw blade changes with each scrollwork,” Dombrosky says, “so it takes time. I lay the pattern out on wood, I then drill holes in the back where I must make my cuts, and then I start the cutting process, changing blades frequently as needed.”

Dombrosky will make small items that he often gives as gifts to people who have treated him well or who have need of a particular item. “I make a lot of giveaways,” he remarks. “I’ve given away key chains and jar lid openers that I’ve made. When people are courteous to me, I try to repay them with a gift that I’ve made. I get a lot of satisfaction from giving.”

Dombrosky’s hobby didn’t just start after retirement, although retirement has allowed his work to blossom. He has practiced his craft for years, gathering knowledge and help from several sources along the way. His grandfather worked with wood, and Dombrosky inherited that love. “My grandpa worked with wood and I’m following in his path,” Dombrosky remarks. “I’ve been doing this kind of work for years, and I try to duplicate his work. I’ve also got his old tools.”

He continues, “John Bock was an inspiration to me as far as craftsmanship goes. I’ve always admired him, as he could repair anything. He was a very talented craftsman.”

Although Dombrosky chose a career in the plumbing field, he continued his woodworking hobby on the side, constantly honing his skills and abilities. “I did this work before I retired from plumbing,” Dombrosky says. “I had a little trailer in the back where I worked. I started buying one tool at a time and pursued this hobby.”

Dombrosky now considers his business, Custom Creations, a hobby business, but that suits him just fine at the moment. The business provides him great pleasure and gives him something to do, but it does not tie him down. “I go into the shop every day for a few hours,” he comments. “I still make time to go for coffee and meet friends. I’m enjoying retirement and I keep busy, but I can walk away from the shop if I feel like it, and I can take a week of vacation as well.”

Dombrosky concludes, “I got to the point in life where I can do what I want. I go for coffee when I want, work in the shop when I want, and take it easy.”