Hello fellow galoots,

Well, I've been lurking under the porch for quite a while now, reading the
digest version that arrives several times a day.  I'm enjoying my time here but
it's about time I post a bio and come out into the light.

Like so many others that enjoy old tools, I work in a a hi-tech computer job
and like the contrast of doing things the old way.  It seems to give me a link
to the past when times were not so hectic and you actually made things directly
with your hands rather than staring at a computer screen all day.

Several years ago (in a former life...) I taught high school shop classes for
ten years.  When I was doing that, my hobby was ham radio and computers.  A
year or two ago I got the Normite bug and bought some of those screaming tailed
monsters, but recently I've been drawn to using hand tools again.  I used to
force my woodshop students to make some joints by hand and do a couple of
simple hand projects before they could use power tools.  They hated me for it
then, but hopefully they'll thank me for it someday.  I have fond thoughts of
Jr. high school woodshop class where we made projects by hand.  I feel sorry
for the many kids now who will never have a woodshop class since so many are
being turned into computer labs.  A lot of people my age (late-40-something)
are getting back into woodworking now as a relaxing hobby because they once did
it in a high school class.

Anyway, recently I think I've gone over the edge and am now on the slippery
slope and picking up speed.  I've been going rust hunting on weekends and even
enjoy surfing on eb*y just to look at the pictures of all of the old tools and
occasionally finding something I can afford. I'm getting a pretty good set of
user planes #3 to #8 and even have a Fulton #2 that a friend gave me.  All of
the planes are older than me except for the #3 my dad bought when I was 2 years
old.  I seem to be attracted to braces and bits and can't seem to pass them up.
I also have a couple of old drills -- a Miller Falls, and an 1897 Goodell-Pratt
breast drill.  I never thought I was "addicted" to anything, but lately I've
been worried...

My dad and some contractors I know think I'm crazy because "no one ever uses
these tools any more -- after the invention of electricity", but I like to use
them.  I live in a typical tract house and I don't like to make a lot of noise
after 10pm so hand tools are very useful for times like this also.

I don't consider myself a "collector".  I like buying tools that the collectors
don't want and restoring them to be useful.  Then I feel like I have rescued an
old tool from the landfill.  I've got an electrolysis rust-bucket and use it
often on those non-collector tools I find that cannot be hurt by cleaning them
up.  I have even tried doing some baked-on japanning on a couple of old
spokeshaves that had no finish left. I borrowed the toaster oven and took it to
the garage.  The garage smelled a little funny for a couple of days.  My kids
think I've gone over the edge, but that's OK.

Well there I said it.  "My name is Jim and I'm becoming an old tool addict..."

I really enjoy listening to all of you on the porch with far more experience
than I, and hopefully I'm getting some of that knowledge from old-timers to
sink into my head.  I've got a lot of unexplored territory to cover yet.  Oh,
and did I remember to say that I've been picking up several books lately about
old tools.  Is there an end in sight?   Anyway, I tell myself that I'm doing it
to keep my sanity from my hectic day job.

So, now can I buy some stuff from all the F.S. lists on the porch?  :-)

Anyway, I'll probably still be lurking in the shadows mostly unless there are
one of those rare moments when I may have an answer for a newbie.  I'll mostly
be trying to soak up knowledge from those wise individuals who have been there
before me.

Thanks for listening,

Jim Boyett
Santa Rosa, California
boyett@s...