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15048 GACHASSIN, KRIS <GachassinK@b...> 1997‑03‑13 Bio - Kris Gachassin

Hey porch puppies -- I guess its time that I properly introduce myself.

My name is Kris Gachassin (Ga-Sha-San).  My current residence is Daphne,
Alabama. Daphne is just 15 miles east of Mobile on the Gulf Coast.  I am
originally a native of South Louisiana, deep in the heart of Cajun
Country.  I am 32 years old, happily married to my lovely wife Pam, and
have two girls age 6½ and 4.  By day and some long nights I earn my
living as a construction estimator for a large engineering and
construction company based out of Birmingham, Alabama.

As with most of you other Galloots, my woodworking interests were
sparked by the Almighty - Norm the Abnormal.  Up until the last few
years, I would have discounted the use of  tools without tails as being
inefficient and not very accurate.  Thanks to American Woodworker
Magazine my interest in traditional woodworking was sparked by an
article featuring Mike Dunbar and the construction of Windsor chairs.
Picture this -- go to flea market, bag some rusty iron, clean-tune-and
Scary Sharp.  Swish-swish-swish and before you know it, I'm ankle deep
in a pile of shavings!!  Poor belt sandah must go -- too slow and does
not produce as smooth of a surface.  Now I am not saying that I will
free all of my tailed tools, but I do introduce more and more hand tool
work in my projects.  Pit sawing and hand scrubbing many BF of lumber is
not my idea of fun.  In modern day woodworking I feel there is a good
balance between hand and p*w*r tool work.  So far I have not made Mike's
chair making class but it is still high on my list.  The drive from
Mobile to Portsmouth is kind of rough.

My tool interests at this point are definitely user and not collectors.
Tool hunts in the Deep South have proven tough.  I guess that the humid
and corrosive atmosphere down South is tough on iron.  I still find it
hard to believe that in a city as old as Mobile (circa 1702) that more
old tools don't show up.  Any old tool suggestions in the Southeast
would be appreciated.  There is a gentleman who is a MWTCA member and
has just opened an antique shop with a good collection of users and
collectors near me.  This has helped a lot.  Latest purchase was a
Stanley No. 18 block plane.  Minor tune-up, hone the iron, and it will
now produce shavings with a 4.2 second hang time.

Current project list:

*	Tavern style dining table -- Antique longleaf yellow pine top w/
painted base 
*	Real work bench -- possibly Kirby style.  I hope this doesn't
re-ignite Klauz vs Kirby debate.

If any of you Galloots ever make it down South give me a call.  I will
show you around the area and cook you a real mean Cajun gumbo.

So Galloots, if there is room on the porch can I pull up a seat, chew
the fat a while, and drink a few beers ?

Sincerely
Kris Gachassin



Recent Bios FAQ