LIWC Member Profile: Armor Products
These days I don't even have to think about whether or not I can go out
and find a magazine on woodworking. At any time I can run down to Barnes
and Noble, Borders or even the local supermarket and find at least one.
In my early teens I had to resort to an occasional article in Mechanix
Illustrated, or Popular Mechanics. These magazines covered everything
from how to lay a foundation for a garage to the latest gadget for the
homeowner or tinkerer. More often than not, these woodworking articles
were written, photographed and illustrated by two brothers.
After some time spent in the Navy, college and the rigors of raising
a family, a renewed interest in woodworking got me started in seeking
sources for wood, tools and hardware. Well, there just happened to be
a local supplier of hardware, woodworking plans and supplies. That was
my first encounter with Armor Crafts. The business is located on Larkfield
Road just across from the side entrance to Home Depot. I would go in,
look around and buy a few things, but I always felt as if I knew the person
who had so graciously helped me with my purchases. This went on for about
a year, until I got up the courage to ask the gentleman if we knew each
other. No, he said, not to his knowledge. I felt comfortable with him
to the point that I could browse around the store, pick up books and leaf
through them. Then it came to me. A book I picked up had a picture of
the author, and it looked like the owner of the store, Mr. John Capotosto.
Closer examination of the book told me the author was a Rosario Capotosto.
I asked John about this Rosario. He smiled and told me it was his twin
brother. I have a copy of the Long Island Star-Journal, Monday, Dec. 21,
1959, that writes about these twin brothers who are freelance writers,
photographers and inventors working out of their basement workshop. Well,
from those beginnings came many articles and furniture designs and plans.
John, the owner of Armor Products, is a woodworker who gets to design,
build, and photograph the products he sells and even makes the plans and
the company catalog. All those items you see on the walls at Armor, John
has made and painted. There is some beautiful Intarsia, and the next time
you're in Armor Products ask to see his latest projects, a Mack truck
and a fire engine. They are outrageously beautiful. He keeps them hidden,
but he'll proudly show them to you upon request.
Armor Products has been a member of the Long Island Woodworkers Club
for some time, and I thought they were overdue for a Member Profile. I
really could write a lot more, but we have limited space, so instead,
go pay them a visit. You will meet other woodworkers and John and his
son, who will attend to you and answer your questions about woodworking
with credibility.
- Gabe Jaen
