Old Farts Studio

About Chris

Chris's journey into woodworking and craftsmanship began at the age of 12, working alongside his engineer father on various projects around the house. He quickly discovered a natural talent for building, and by 14, he was already being hired for small projects. Before he knew it, he was working for the owner of the local lumberyard, earning both experience and his first line of credit.

His skills soon led him to the electrical warehouse, where he helped build displays and offices—all before he even had a credit card. At the time, specialty woodworking hardware was only available through catalogs, requiring phone orders and credit card payments. Determined to keep growing, Chris applied for a credit card but was initially denied. A conversation with a bank manager changed that, and by 18, he was running his own projects while attending a local engineering school, even hiring classmates to work alongside him.

At just 18, Chris officially launched Francino Craftsman, taking on home renovations, from installing windows and repairing roofs to designing high-end bathrooms, kitchens, and garages. During this time, he also designed and built custom truck storage solutions, pioneering concepts that are now standard in modern vehicles.

As his reputation for problem-solving and craftsmanship grew, he moved his workshop from his parents' garage to Sea Cliff, NY, where he specialized in custom furniture and unique projects. After 13 years of running Francino Craftsman, he decided to lean on his engineering degree and took a position in Southern Maryland.

Starting over in a basement workshop in Waldorf, MD, he continued his passion for building. After 12 years, he relocated to Leonardtown, MD, where a dedicated workshop became a must-have for his new home. Over time, his passion projects evolved, and a close friendship with a neighbor—built over weekends spent in the shop—led to the birth of Old Farts Studio.