This is the magnificent view from Jim's shop in Riverton, Utah. Looking at this makes you wonder how Jim gets any woodworking done at all, but we assure you he is just as addicted as any other woodworker.
The wood bug bit Jim very early when he was around 8 or 9 years old. A totem pole, that he carved out of redwood for a Cub Scout project was his first try at woodworking. It measured about
1 1/4" in diameter and was about 18" long. The love of carving stayed with Jim throughout his life and any carving with a challenge is still his favorite type of woodwork. However, ceramics and metalwork run a close second to the carving.

Inside Jim's shop, pictured to the left, it's obvious that he spends a fair amount of time there. He's able to spend more now since he retired from his position as a Machinist/Mechanic at the Kennecott Copper Mine. Most of the time if you're looking for Jim just find his shop and you'll find him. It can consume more of his time than the job at the mine, but he loves what he's doing.
Jim's Grandfather and his namesake, James Johnstun, had the first saw and lumber mill in the Uintah's Mountains in Paradise, Utah. Around 1880, he moved his woodworking shop to Vernal, Utah in the Ashley Valley near Park City, Utah. You'll see a sample of James Johnstun's work in our Amazing Projects section on the home page of Woodworkers Auction. Uncle Jim's Father, Lavell Johnstun was also a woodworker and did inlay work similar to his Father's. Lynn Johnstun (who was Lavell's brother and Jim's Uncle) invented a rotary engine to run a pump. This is probably where Uncle Jim get's his mechanical aptitude.

Last June, we made a trip to Utah and visited Uncle Jim and Aunt Alice. We were making a special delivery of the new Powercrafter High Speed Carving Tool that we distribute. Knowing that Jim was eager to try this new toy out, Dave made sure he received it immediately upon our arrival. That insured that we saw very little of Uncle Jim for the rest of the trip. He and the Powercrafter developed an immediate relationship and man and machine retired to his shop. The picture to the right shows Jim's very first try using the Powercrafter. This leaf was developed in his first day of working with the tool. Here he is adding more detail to the carving. We'd like to tell you about the rest of the project, but we can't because it's a secret and he's making it for Aunt Alice. You just know she's gonna read this.
Right away Jim started combining his mechanical and engineering skills with his carving. He has plans to include fiberoptics in some of his Powercrafter carving designs. We'll have to go back for a visit to bring you the finished results.

This black powder rifle is an ongoing project for Jim. To the right you can see the pattern beginning to take shape on the stock. Below left is a close up of some of the detail on the barrel and in the lower right is a view of the complete rifle.
We know that Jim is back to work on this project now that he has the Powercrafter. He told us that his favorite tool is anything that cuts and that the one tool he couldn't do without were his hands. Amazing work he turns out with those hands. Hurry up Uncle Jim, we want to see the finished project. Never mind whether it shoots or not, what do the carvings look like?
Jim doesn't have a website, but he we know he likes receiving email. We're sure he'd like to exchange carving tips in particular and now and then the occasional email joke that's making the rounds. You can contact him at ASTUN@aol.com .