Creative Woodworks & crafts 2000-03, страница 116

by Ray WHckens from the January 1999 issue

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Raymond Wilckens (left) on a recent visit to the incredible showroom of loji "Joe" losif (right),

An amazing visit

I fivsi became acquainted with loji (or Joe, as he prefers to be called) losif when he requested one of our catalogs and mentioned that he would like to visit our shop. When Joe visited, we spent the better part of a Saturday afternoon looking at his photo album and talking about fretwork.

This prompted my wife and I to decide lo return (he visit and see the showroom in his home, which we did in January. 1998. However, when we arrived at Joe's house, we were not prepared for what we were about to see, because Joe has more fretwork on display in one house than we've ever seen before. In all, Joe has 215 projects in his showroom, his shop, and throughout his home.

All of Joe's projects are cut from three-ply luan plywood using a hand frame saw. and upon close inspection, it's almost unbelievable to see how perfectly every cut was made. Joe prefers to use an Olson No. 2/0 fretsaw blade in his hand frame and a 3/8"-Dia. hand drill mounted in a small drill

make things for family and friends as well as for charitable organizations and fund raisers who are very happy to receive such fine hand-crafted donations. Joe also notes that he doesn't like to cut out a project more than once. He would rather move on to a new project to add to his collcction.

Joe recently purchased a new 16" Delta Variable Speed scroll saw and says he loves it after a few slight modifications. However, Joe is quick to add that. "When I want (o get it done fast. I just use my hand frame."

When asked what advice he might have for new scrollers, Joe replies, "Just relax and lake your time. Don't rush the project. Remember, scrolling is supposed to be fun, and the best part is you don't have to spend a lot of money to have a very enjoyable and satisfying hobby."

Sounds like good advice to me from a true Old World craftsman!

On November 26th, 1999, loji losif passed away, at the age of 81. On behalf of Contributing Editors Ray and Dan Wilckens and the Creative Woodworks & Crafts staff, we send our love and sympathy to loji's wife, daughter, and son-in-law.

press to bore the very liny starter holes. Joe can clamp a blade into the hand _{Joe can c| a b|adg jnt0 hjg hgnd frame faster than mogt}

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saw faster than many can on powered scroll saws, and when he begins his cut, you can see the care and craftsmanship that goes into his every stroke. Oncc cut out, his projects are finished with a light coat of gloss spray lacquer.

can change blades on their electric scroll saws.

From Old World to new technology

Joe explains that he learned the art of fretwork using a hand frame while attending school as a boy in Bucharest, Romania. Ai lhe age of thirteen. Joe cut out a replica of the Eiffel Tower noting thai, "most of the patterns at that lime came from Austria and Italy." Although those patterns have long since disappeared. Joe still has many of these very intricate and ornate fretwork projects on display.

When Joe, along with his wife and daughter, immigrated to the United States in 1967. the only possessions they could bring with litem were their wedding rings and sixty pounds of luggage apiece. Joe notes, with a smile, "We only knew two English words, 'ves' and 'no'. The only problem was that we didn't know when to use them."

Joe found work near Kansas City, Kansas and he and his family moved into a modest suburb there. Joe quickly began earning promotions and moved up to a respected position with the company. During this time, Joe continued to work on his fretwork projects.

In 1981. Joe decided to retire so thai he could devote more of his time to fretwork. He began mail ordering patterns from all available sources and has collected a vast array of designs, including a lot of patterns he designed or re-designed for his own use.

Joe proudly proclaims that he has never sold a project. He loves to

Joe's fine craftsmanship is illustrated by these beautiful silhouettes.