About Mark Patoka

Whittling a piece of wood; making a fort out of lumber scraps. What boy (or girl, for that matter) doesn't love tinkering with wood? That's how it started for me. Who knew that those 4-H and junior high wood projects would turn into a lifelong hobby. Starting a family, going to school, and having a career put a damper on this hobby for a while, but one day my wife surprised me with a Sears Craftsman table saw, and things haven't been the same since. I went from making a few little shelves and knick knacks to building pieces of furniture for the house. Every time my wife said, "Hey, can you build me a (fill in the blank)," I'd reply with, "Sure, but I need this tool to make it." Before I knew it, I had a house full of furniture and a shop full of tools.

Now I have turned my attention to creating coin racks and turning wood. After retiring from the Air Force with 22 years of service, I'm through moving around and have the opportunity to really set up shop. I enjoy the challenge of making custom wood racks and am always looking for new ideas. Take a look at my site. If you don't find something you like, I'd love to hear from you and work with you to create that special coin display rack for you, a loved one, or a colleague at work.

Every item is personally crafted by me and of a quality I'd be proud to have you display in your home or office. If you'd like to see other projects I have completed, I invite you to check out my woodworking gallery at www.patoka.net/woodwork.htm.

Mark