How an 88-Year-Old Machinist Turns ‘Junk’ Into Treasure

Joe Nemes may be retired, but he still puts his years of experience to good use restoring beautiful antique smoking stands.

Epoch Times reader Joe Nemes, owner of Nemes Machine in Akron, Ohio, displays his collection of smoking stands in his basement workshop. Courtesy of Denise Bench

They say one man’s junk is another man’s treasure. But turning junk into something beautiful is an art in itself.

For that, you need an artist. But not the kind who works in oils or clay.