Another lurker steps onto the porch.  I decided to try my hand at
participating in Galootaclaus so I am posting a bio.  As a girl who grew up
around mechanics they just shake their heads at this 'woodworking' thing.

My story starts with scale modeling of military miniatures and a lot of
scratch building. I was looking for something more challenging and settled
on wooden ship models. Suddenly I needed a whole new skill set (and
vocabulary; chamfer is not something you use in everyday English). So I set
about gathering numerous unmentionable power tools and took over the upper
floor of my father's garage. He didn't mind, the ceiling joists were about 2
inches off my 5'3" frame so he was just using it for storage.

Round about 1998, I discovered the old tools list and have been lurking ever
since. I discovered that I already owned a number of old tools like a few
disston saws, a Yankee screwdriver and two type 20 Stanley smoothing planes.
I also discovered that part of the problem with said tools was quality and
sharpness. Many books, websites, Oldtools digests and Woodwright's Shop
episodes later I found out that I didn't need power tools to build stuff.
There was a whole world of specialized hand tools out there and I just
needed to find them.

Rust hunting is a favourite pastime but my objective is always for user
tools. Although some people have mentioned that I might have a "saw
problem". Returning a dilapidated rusty tool to working order provides me
with a lot of satisfaction. I really enjoy buying old $1 backsaws and
restoring them to their former glory. Currently, I am behind in projects and
those saws just keep following me home.

Professionally I am a teacher and recently transferred to high school where
I teach construction. My students get a real kick out of me going "old
school" when I use a brace or crosscut faster than they can get the bandsaw
set up.

Two weeks ago I slipped down a new slope with the acquisition of a W F &
John Barnes 1883 Patent Drill Press. It was simply too beautiful to walk
away from for $100 Canadian. Even old power tools were elegantly made.

For my birthday this year I went to an old farm auction and acquired a
Armitage Mousehole anvil (200 lbs) so I can explore blacksmithing. I have an
old round Webber BBQ that I am going to convert into a forge so I can mess
around and really annoy my neighbours (Did I mention I live in the city?).

Currently I reside in Hamilton, Ontario which is just around the bay from
Lee Valley Tools, an hour from Tools of the Trade and eight hours from
Patina.

Storm
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi  Bob--

On 10/24/07, Bob Passaro  wrote:
> Hi all,
> So I barged in here a little while ago, asking questions and spouting
> off.

Most appropriate.  That's what we're here for.

> took another class, taught by Brian Boggs, the Kentucky chairmaker.

Ooo-ooo.  You know Brian Boggs?  Cool.  Can I sit by you on the porch?
 Chairmaking is one of those things I keep thinking I'm going to do
when I grow up.

> After that, I started poking around, buying a few and fixing them up
> -- often an investment of considerable time -- and I was hooked. I
> have become rather obsessed with old chisels.

Fixing up chisels.  Yeah.  That's what actually brought me out of the
woodwork.  I had a nice evening lately doing just that.  I have been
neglecting the edge tools for so long that they have gradually
migrated over next door to my son's house, and we had an evening when
the wives were busy so we got them out and tried out his new wet
grinder.  It's cool, but I could spend another several days sharping
up tools.  The priorities were the slicks, framing chisels, and
drawknives.  Very satisfying work, and it's really nice to have a tool
that can do hollow grinds on those laminated blades.  Dang, they get
funky after a lifetime or two of use...

Phil Koontz
Flirting with the dark side during the dark months
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well, I don't KNOW Brian Boggs. Just met him during that class a few  
years ago. If you ever have a chance and want to learn to make a post  
and rung ladderback, he's your man. He does workshop now and them, in  
various places. (www.brianboggschairs.com) He's very smart, a good  
teacher, engaging, opinionated. And to see him work a drawknife on  
the shavehorse is worth the price of admission. The knife is like a  
blur and chips are flying and ... then the shaping is just exaclty  
right.

Anyway, thanks to everyone who sent kind words of welcome. It's a lot  
of fun around here.

On Oct 25, 2007, at 9:00 AM, oldtools-request@r...  
wrote:

> Ooo-ooo.  You know Brian Boggs?  Cool.  Can I sit by you on the porch?
>  Chairmaking is one of those things I keep thinking I'm going to do
> when I grow up.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi Neighbor, nice bio. No wonder I can't find any good chisels at the
flea markets, you beat me to them. I have about 50 old chisels that
need new handles, nothing outstanding. Just users. I glad to see the
new thread on making the London pattern style. I will have to try
some. Speaking of Mr. B. Boggs, I am in the process of making his
style of a shave horse. If you are ever in the area, give me a call, I
am in the book.

--

 Richard


Richard L. Rombold WIZARD WOODWORKING 489 N. 32nd. St.
Springfield, Or .97478

 Take a look at my mess and work.
 http://www.PictureTrail.com/gallery/view?username=thewizz

"Do not meddle in the affairs of Dragons, for thou art crunchy and taste
good with ketchup"

 Political Correctness is a doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical
 minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media,
 which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick
 up a turd by the clean end."

------------------------------------------------------------------------