The Legacy
My name is Nick Tambakis. My interest in woodworking and Mopars was sparked over 35 years ago by my father, the late Nick Tambakis Sr. He was a skilled craftsman and gentleman in every sense of the word. He worked as a tool and die maker for many years, and after his retirement in 1980, he still felt the need to design, build and fix things.........that's just the way he was. He decided to devote more time in his retirement years to his longtime hobby of woodworking. Now, when you take a man who spent his working career measuring his work in thousanths of an inch (not fractions), he's not going to settle for sloppy wood joints and "almost is good enough". His woodworking ability was pretty spectacular. He left me some mighty big shoes to fill if I wanted to make him proud.......and that's what I want to do.
My Hero
I spent many hours as a boy watching my dad work and trying to learn as much as I could from him. After all, he was my hero and I wanted to be just like him. He taught me many things in that basement workshop of his over the course of the years, mostly things like the importance of proper planning, patience and the need to forgive yourself when you make a wrong cut......."Just figure out where you went wrong, and learn from it". If it sounds like woodworking and everyday life have some things in common..........well, he taught me that too. Thanks Dad.
Soul Searching
Over the years, I haven't forgotten those lessons, and thanks to him, I've developed my love of wood and big block Dodges (nice combination). I have enjoyed studying the characteristics and properties of various wood species, and the proper way to work each one to achieve the best results. My first projects were relatively simple pieces of furniture, picture frames, etc. Even though I like working on these projects, 90 degree angles can get boring........I wanted to create something with form, curves and soul.......something that would grab your attention and make people take notice. This is my direction, and is reflected in the projects I'm currently taking on. Most importantly, I'm not doing this because I HAVE to......I'm doing this because I WANT to.
Welcome To My Woodshop
I built my woodshop here in the hills of northern New Jersey in 2002 where I live with my wife, Lori and our pets Riley, Bailey and Smokey (all of them are a great deal of help in my shop). Many of my most creative ideas have come from my very talented wife (and a hot cup of black coffee). Living here in the "sticks" allows me to harvest and process some of the lumber I use. Our local cherry wood is the some of best I've ever seen. My primary passion is working with figured woods. These are woods that tell an amazing story in the swirls, twists and color variations of their grain. More often than not, you don't find huge slabs of these prized woods, so using these treasured pieces means you have to be creative. You can either cut them into thin slices (veneers) and use them in box lids, or grab that block of wood, start cutting, shaping and creating in 3 dimensions.........Not the easiest or most popular way to work with these woods, but that's my way.
As you can see, my shop is full of older, well-used equipment. That's because I respect tradition, and the use of the vintage hand tools I was taught to use many years ago. Part of this respect is the responsibility to maintain, sharpen and use them properly. That old tool box in the photos was my dad's Gerstner, and dates back to the mid 1940's......It'll outlast me!
As you can see, my shop is full of older, well-used equipment. That's because I respect tradition, and the use of the vintage hand tools I was taught to use many years ago. Part of this respect is the responsibility to maintain, sharpen and use them properly. That old tool box in the photos was my dad's Gerstner, and dates back to the mid 1940's......It'll outlast me!
My Other Drive
Now that I've got the time to devote to my love of woodworking, I spent some time deciding on a product that I can make that would be original, unique, and incorporate another of my passions.....Mopars. Ever since my parents brought me home from the hospital as an infant in a 1956 DeSoto, my family has been driving Mopars. My favorite was our 1963 Dodge 440. Aqua inside and out.
When I was old enough to drive, I got the family 1972 Dart Custom 4 door, slant 6. Not one of my better rides! Then came the 1973 Chrysler Newport Custom, 400 big block (now that's a little better!). Then it happened......the 1968 Charger R/T, 440, 4 speed.
When I was old enough to drive, I got the family 1972 Dart Custom 4 door, slant 6. Not one of my better rides! Then came the 1973 Chrysler Newport Custom, 400 big block (now that's a little better!). Then it happened......the 1968 Charger R/T, 440, 4 speed.
......And In Conclusion
I probably don't need to tell you what that meant to me at 22 years old! My first modification was to install a pistol grip shifter out of a 1970 Road Runner. The Charger is long gone, but my love of all things Mopar never died.
So here's my chance to put my woodworking skills to good use and develop a product that you can literally wrap your hands around......real wood grips for the Mopar/Hurst pistol grip shifter. Done in woods, styles and colors that they never dreamed of in 1970...........but maybe they should have.
So here's my chance to put my woodworking skills to good use and develop a product that you can literally wrap your hands around......real wood grips for the Mopar/Hurst pistol grip shifter. Done in woods, styles and colors that they never dreamed of in 1970...........but maybe they should have.