From the desk of Dan Gatto

February 1, 1998

My first love for woodworking, I believe, was when I was 10 and helped my father build our first garage, then later remodeling the upstairs. I enjoyed high school shop class, and when I was older, made furniture and refinished antiques that I purchased at auctions. I bought a small house when we got married, and when the family grew, I added to the front of the house, added to the rear, went up a story, and attached a two car garage. I designed and built a 22' oval gazebo with a 3 layered roof. I have read many woodworking magazines over the years and purchasing various tools for these jobs. I love old cars and frequent car shows all summer long. In fact; I bought a 29 Pontiac (wood frame construction), stripped it down completely, and rebuilt it over the years. I think all of these things have prepared, inspired, and led me to make and design wooden models, (automobiles and trucks in particular); and to eventually form the company I own today. I believe these products are becoming the new craze. I have been working in this field for the past 9 years creating and designing plans for the novice woodworker/collector who appreciates details that go beyond children's toys. I have had extensive training in drafting and art all through Junior High, High School, and college, and for the past 19 years I have worked full time in the truck prototype frame department at work.

Most of my plans have evolved into incorporating 3 dimensional drawings, such as you might find with putting plastic models together. My intentions were to create all wood models detailed similar to model ship building, but at an affordable price (using your own scrap wood).

From my large scrap books of customer responses, I have had customers winning blue ribbons and best of show at state fair all over the country. Customers, who have received other plans from other sources, have raved over the simplicity and ease that my plans afford, yet the results have brought in as much as $400.00 to $900.00 for some models and an unusual auction price of $1225.00 from one woodworker in Michigan. My customers include doctors, shop classes, craft shops and retired wood workers, and many others (including inmates). I have sold plans to every state in the United States, just about every English speaking country and although my plans are printed only in English, I have numerous non English speaking customers who have purchased them.

Parts catalogs are now beginning to produce 3" treaded tires for the larger trucks that I design, but it is not really necessary because my plans include directions to make all parts (including spoked tires for the antique cars and motorcycle). I try to make each model with some moveable parts, such as a hose reel that works (on the Antique fire truck), or as the hood that pivots forward (on the tractor rigs, etc.) to show the engine assembly and give them that added realism. Whether for a desk novice, collection, award, or gift, making "Woodblock Models" is a rewarding and profitable hobby as well as creating a collection to be cherished a lifetime.

Enjoy!

Dan Gatto