Lee Jesberger is a general contractor. For most people, 30 years of running a general contracting business is enough, but obviously this man doesn’t need sleep. In addition to his contracting business, he is a master carpenter, writer, webmaster, instructor, and inventor of the Ezee-Feed infeed/outfeed system.
Lee runs a contracting business that specializes in high-end renovations in Sewell, New Jersey, with his partner in crime, Bruce Driscoll. This dynamic duo is Batman and Robin of the world of fine furniture/cabinet making. I’ve posted some of his projects below, but you should see more on his website.
Lee’s typical day begins at the workplace where he calls himself a cabinetmaker/furniture maker. This is an understatement. What he creates are works of art.
Then he comes home and works in his backyard store. No mere shed, this “man’s cabin” has (almost) every professional toy boy wonder could want. Later at night, he writes how-to articles and posts projects on his website. Some time later, perhaps after a midnight coffee break, he works on his side business: the Ezee-Feed feeding and delivery system.
The Ezee-Feed infeed/outfeed system was created as a result of the need for a major renovation project. Tired of the problems created by using a roller stand, Lee created his own handy shop gadget that provides the same precision and ease of use as a sliding table saw BUT, at a fraction of the price. It is designed to allow one person to easily cut/rip laminated products and rough lumber down to 1/32 thickness. This device reduces your physical effort, while safely and precisely doubling your productivity. See the Ezee-Feed in action; go here now: http://www.ezee-feed.com.
Lee and Bruce embarked on various woodworking shows to promote the Ezee-Feed product. Two somewhat shy guys posing as marketers initially felt like bad used car salesmen. That was until people started talking to them and realized that they were actually professional and experienced cabinet makers and furniture makers. Lee and Bruce started talking about their projects and jobs, and the carpenters started asking them questions. The result of those Woodworking Show inquiries is the website http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com. This free resource for woodworkers is packed with information, including a glossary of woodworking terms, free woodworking plans and tips, and instructions for building cabinet doors. Lee is also a regular on a woodworkers forum called http://www.lumberjocks.com.
What does Lee find most satisfying? Work with the client to give him the final product he wants. It’s that “Wow” factor that inspires him to constantly improve his craft. He appreciates the beauty, grace, and concern for proportion adhered to by 18th-century American furniture makers. “And they accomplished all of this with primitive tools compared to what we use now,” says Lee. “Being a contractor is like being a conductor. You have to put the whole project together within budget and time constraints. It’s often a frustrating job, especially if you end up working with people who aren’t especially competent, but the end result and the customer satisfaction make it worth it,” says Lee.
Lee’s list of top ten tools:
1. Delta Delta Saw
2. Jet cross cutting table
3. Ezee-Feed Feed/Outfeed System
4. 20″ Powermatic Glider
5. 18″ Jet Band Saw
6. Inline Turf Punch for Adjustable Shelving
7. Blum Hinge Machine – Cuts Three Holes for Euro-Style Hinges
8. Ashley Isles Carving Tools
9. Japanese Wood Chisels: Far superior to western chisels, laminated plates, amazing tools to work with, some are truly works of art.
10. 8″ Delta Joiner
