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60488 Kirk Hays <khays@s...> 1999‑03‑31 Bio - Kirk Hays
Well, time to throw my bio up on the porch, after lurking for a few
months.

Twenty years a software engineer, decided a couple of years back to
get into woodworking.  Acquired various expensive tailed tools, and
discovered that I'd get the Fear every time I'd turn one on.  This was
Healthy, as each and every one proved eager and ready to bite.
However, the noise, dust, and danger interfered with the dual
objectives of relaxation and craftsmanship.

After an experience best titled as "Dances with Routers", involving
starting a tailed router while the bit was in contact with the wood,
I determined to regress to the methods of our ancestors.

To that end, I've cleared space in the garage, put up a maple topped
workbench, and acquired various chisels, saws, bench planes, and
sharpening supplies.

First project completed was a doll bed, sized appropriately for
"American Girl" dolls, just in time for Christmas.  Made of
quartersawn red oak, 22 blind mortises and fitted tenons, fumed, and
finished with padded orange shellac and beeswax.  No nails and all
square.  It's strong enough for me to stand on.

Current project is a play table for my son, made from birch.

Future projects include a dining room table for SWMBO, and
a grandfather clock.

Other interests include raising kids (two, aged 6 and 9), and
collecting and shooting US military rifles classified as Curios and
Relics.  To that end, I have an FFL.

Epiphanies experienced so far:

        - padded shellac
        - the back of a chisel polished on an 8000 grit waterstone
        - the sound of a #7 jointing a board
        - *sharp* blades
        - scrapers!  Wooo-hoooo!

Finally, I'd like to thank my cousin, Mike Lindgren, for pointing out
to me the Quiet Way, and the existence of this mailing list.

He pushed me down the slope.

Hello, Galoots.

Kirk Hays
Cedar Mills, Oregon.



Recent Bios FAQ