As a lurker for some time and an accomplished eBay sniper (I've
considered changing my eBay ID to something like "Unertl20"; I snipe
without apology because I learned the hard way that a lot of you from
whom I buy tools will do the same to me if I'm fool enough to bid too
early), I already know many Galoots. Others I know only through their
writings, their web sites, or their videos (and I'm not going to digress
just yet). For those who don't know me, here's the required bio.
Background: a child of the South, with 40 years in Texas preceded by
several in the Trans-Sabine region, I've been living happily and working
reluctantly in the San Francisco area since 1984. Woodworking was not a
part of my life until the past few years, with the exception of some
very early exposure to turning.
As MofA described his former self, I'm a software dork. Have been
since 1959, and, unlike that worthy, haven't yet been able to afford to
tell the man to KMA. The subject does occupy my mind almost constantly,
however. As an antidote, I have turned to a number of expensive hobbies.
Woodworking belatedly got my attention a few years ago, and I overfilled
my garage fragment with more Delta tailed apprentices than I have room
to accommodate safely or comfortably.
Experiences with current production planes (before I discovered
Lie-Nielsen) and saws sent me in search of better tools, which
inevitably led to a maniacal accumulation of old tools. I've dealt with
several of the major dealers and been generally satisfied. For the most
part, however, I've built the collection and continue to overflow it on
eBay. Having accumulated so many things which I now find to be surplus,
I'll probably start selling off some of them eventually. If not, my
widow will have some pleasant surprises.
My special afflictions are planes and panel saws, although I've loaded
up on chisels, eggbeaters, braces, and all sorts of pure crap in the
process. In planes, I am a great fan of YB's, and because I was born
prior to WWII, nobody can call me a Yuppie. Get over it. After all, I've
also supported worthy Galoot Steve Knight by having this affection for
infills. And I'm happy to report that his work every bit as well as
those from Spiers or any of the countless, nameless Scots who made more
limited runs of infill planes.
In addition to infills, I have a special fondness for 3's. That's
about the smallest size I feel comfortable handling, although I do have
a couple each of 2's and 1's. Favorites are Type 3 and 4 Bedrocks, Type
11's, and Sargents. I'm also building a collection of woodies, of course.
As to the panel saws, I got the first one because of the cramped
conditions of my "shop". Then I discovered that the grip and overall
size would be perfect for my grandkids or even for my daughter, and
started looking for another good one. Well, at about a dozen, I think
I've reached the point where I can spare them one as soon as they make
the apartment-to-house switch and can use it.
Much of the collection has been acquired similarly - if I like it or
think it's an essential part of a hand-tool collection, I tend to pick
up an extra to stockpile for them. I've stockpiled enough in their names
now that I could equip several small shops with all the hand tools
they'd ever need. And, like most collectors, I don't hesitate to pick up
an even better one if it presents itself and screams "bargain" at me.
After all, one of these days, they'll all be more valuable, and I can
possibly finance part of my retirement by unloading some of them. I'm
sure many of you have told yourselves something similar. But it's true
that, with a few exceptions, they're not making tools like these any
more. I'm grateful for the likes of Lie-Nielsen, and I try to spread my
budget over some of his nicer offerings whenever possible. He's not the
only one making good tools now (thanks for several goodies, Steve), and
I think it's important that tool lovers support the few who are brave
enough to devote themselves to creating or recreating fine tools.
Accumulating knowledge necessarily comes with accumulating old tools;
I've obtained most of the standard references and keep DAT, BPM, and AWP
on one side of the keyboard, Dave Heckel's Sargent guide and a copy of
John Walter's Stanley guide at the other. Both volumes of PTAMPIA are
nearby, along with a number of catalogue reprints, other patent guides,
books on the making of wooden planes or other tools. Through a lot of
reading, too much spending, and a long time lurking here, I've gradually
accumulated enough knowledge (or at least the resources required to fake
it) that I feel I might be able to make an occasional contribution to
the group. So, despite the fact that I've come to Galootishness
relatively late in life, I'm looking forward to being a part of the
group.
Just one question: does anyone know the origin of the word "galoot"?
The relatively ancient dictionary I keep in this room just lists its
origin as unknown; I no longer have any references specializing in
slang. My personal theory, and it's just that, is that it might well
have come about as a corruption of the French "galeux". I base that only
on the similarity in sound and definition, not on any serious research.
OK, two questions: where can I get one of those caps?
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