Creative Woodworks & Crafts-050-1998-winter, страница 33

J.H. "RUSTY" VAUGHN: AMIMSPIRATIOMAL PROFILE

^HP¹ By Ray Seymore ^^^SHHHHBHBHHHI

J. H. "Rusty" Vaughn owned and operated a service station in Rockwall, Texas and was a woodworker by hobby until his retirement in 1988. At that time, his 7 2' x 78' backyard woodworking shop was equipped with a scroll saw, a radial arm saw, and a few other stationary woodworking tools he had acquired over the years—enough to provide him with a few hours of enjoyment each day and to make small crafts for his family and friends.

Shortly after Rusty's retirement, however, he suffered a stroke that left his right side paralyzed—his hand, arm, and lea were completely immobilized. It seemed that the hobby that Rusty loved would now be a part of his former life.

A little help from his friends

After Rusty had "worn out" two recliners, his son-in-law Dwight, a Garland, Texas fire fighter, saw the need for Rusty to get back to his craft and came up with a project for him to make. He asked Rusty to design and cut name plaques as gifts for two of his retiring fire fighter friends. Dwignt helped Rusty by holding the workpiece as Rusty guided it through the scroll saw, and a method of rehabilitation for Rusty was born.

Having completely lost the use or his right hand, Rusty had to retrain himself to use his woodworking tools. But his desire to again make special gifts for his friends and family motivated him to develop methods for blade installation and inside cuts using just one hand.

An inspiration to others

According to Rusty's personal physician, Dr. Richard K. Bellinger of Rockwall, "Rusty's progress since the stroke has been remarkable. I often use him as a role model for other patients. He felt most of the frustrations that stroke patients usually feel, but with help from a loving family and a determination to get back to his woodworking hobby, he soon was baclc in his shop. I see his work all over town."

Rusty's favorite project to date is a desk name plaque that has the scroll sawn name laminated onto a "brick wall" backing. The "bricks" are individually cut from padauk or mahogany and glued up to make the wall. Each plaque contains about 50 of these bricks, and each brick is bevel cut by Rusty on his router table to exactly the same size.

From ingenuity to independence

With the use of standard clamps, homemade fixtures, and techniques he has invented, Rusty is able to complete his projects without any assistance. For example,

Rusty and his grandson Haydon share an interest in woodworking.

Rusty's "brick wall" name plaque is his favorite project to date.

Using a magnet has made the task of changing blades much easier for Rusty.