OldTools Archive

Recent Bios FAQ

13797 Gerry Kmack <azkmack@n...> 1997‑02‑19 bio: Gerry Kmack (kinda long) (includes minor gloat)
Esteemed Galoots,

I have been putting off writing this bio for some time since, well frankly
I'm still fairly new to the world of hand tools, and am in awe many of you
other porch-dwellers.  But my interest in woodworking, and most recently,
woodworking with hand tools has grown enormously over the past couple of
years.  My SWMBO (wife of 25 years, who sometimes knows me better than I
know myself) remarked a while back that my newfound hobby seems to give me
a sense of satisfaction and inner peace that she's never seen in me before.
 Mebbe she's right, anyway I know this: I truly love working with wood, and
I'm here to stay, so here goes.

I'm 46 and own a computer software development company (based in
Scottsdale, AZ & Hastings, MN).  I've had my own business since the early
80's, and those of you out there who have done the same know the truth
about it: it's *hard* being self-employed, especially at the beginning.
Anyway, the point of this is that, until the last couple of years, every
waking hour has been spent on keeping the business going, and raising my
family (3 great kids - ages 9, 12, & 15).

I have always been interested in wood and woodworking, but my present
involvement began about 3 years ago, when two things happened: 1) my
business finally reached a "critical mass" of stability (I won't bore you
with the details), and 2) my wife (excuuuuse me, SWMBO) bought me a Delta
compound mitre saw for my birthday.  Don't ask me why she chose a CMS; I
never asked, but it was the first *quality* tool that I ever owned (see, I
told you I was new to this stuff).

Was that thing cool!!  I made frames; bike stands for the kids; all sorts
of stuff, and discovered that if I was careful, I could make things fit
perfectly.  I thought I was N**m A***ms! Epiphany.  Strange, maybe but true
nonetheless.  Anyway, I quickly found the plethora of great woodworking
publications, and eventually found rec.ww, and finally....OLDTOOLS.

I should also mention that, up til now all of my woodworking has been done
in an 8' x 16' storage shed, that I share with 5 bicycles, garden supplies,
etc.  No room for a T*b*e s*w, or any other decent-sized electrical
apprentice.  Out of desperation, I "settled" for acquiring a few handtools
to complete some of my projects.  One thing has led to another, and now,
among other things, I have the beginnings of a *user* plane collection:

<>Record #4 1/2 (bought new but tuned to where it's fun to use!)
<>Record #7 (new, still working on it) 
---[BTW I'm looking to replace the *plastic* handles with some real wood -
anybody know where I can buy decent a used rosewood tote & handle for my
#7?????]---
<>Stanley #113 (GLOAT - I bought this from the great grandaughter of the
man who owned and used it - it has 3 patents, all before 1900, and is in
*great* condition!)
<>Stanley #71 series 6
<>Stanley #79 
<>Stanley #60 1/2
<>Stanley #19 (sweetheart era - bought from the Leachmeister )
<>LN #140 (ordered last wk - haven't got it yet)	

Those of you who work with computers for a living know well one of the
realities of this profession: change is a way of life.  I think that's one
of the things that first attracted me to woodworking, especially working
with hand tools.  When I use a 100-yr old plane, I feel a connection to the
past that you can never get when you work with constantly changing
technology.  I hope someday I can learn to use the plane as well as the
original owner (I've seen his work - he was *good*).

Flash to the present:  we are currently in the middle of a remodeling
project, which includes the construction of a free-standing garage, which
(with the support of my SWMBO) is designed for dual use: vehicles and
*workshop*. oboyoboyoboyoboy.  Am I gonna get a t*b*e s*w?? yeah, I think
so,  but I have already designed the workbenches, shelves & sharpening
center that I will need to continue to expand my use of hand tools.

Paddy if you read this, I hope you won't mind if I send you a set of blank
tapes (plus $5), to get a copy of the "workshop anthology" that you are
compiling.  At this point, I don't feel that I could contribute much (just
a big empty shell), but I promise to file a contribution when you get ready
to do your first update.  Anyway, it sure would be great to see some of the
other great workshops that are out there, as I'm just trying to figure out
how to set of mine...

That's about it.  Thanks for bearing with me thru this long-winded bio.
I'm delighted (and truly honored) to be able to share the porch with such
an esteemed (and friendly) group.  

Gerry Kmack

who hopes to eventually earn the enviable title: GALOOT!



Recent Bios FAQ