Hello everyone,

I just found and joined this list last week, and I thought since I plan 
to be around a while, I ought to introduce myself.

I'm Eric, 38, a relatively new woodworker - just picked up the hobby a 
couple years ago while living in Malaysia. I built a bench, which took 
me forever, and mounted a plain ol' shop vise on it (who knew that there 
were woodworking vises?). I then made a bed for my son and a picture 
frame, and that was about it.

We've been in the States for about a year, and are returning to Malaysia 
in September. While here, I took a hand tool basics and sharpening class 
at Woodcraft, and my eyes were opened to the beauty of hand tools. I 
just had no idea. The plane I bought in Malaysia that I thought was 
utter junk was probably fine, if I had only sharpened it! I also learned 
about the magical cabinet scraper. Wow.

I got an additional boost to my hand tool enthusiasm when my dad 
revealed that my great-grandfather (who came to the States in 1913) was 
a carpenter, and that I was welcome to any of his old tools that were in 
my dad's shop. So now I'm the proud owner of Rudolf's old Millers Falls 
brace, a North Bros. ratchet screwdriver, and a Victor jack plane, among 
other things.

The only downside to being a galoot, that I can see, is the addiction I 
now have to eBay. I suppose that once I round out my basic starter set 
of hand tools, I'll calm down. But I'm spending way too much time right 
now looking online for stuff that I *could* buy cheaper at a store, but 
don't because I want the (usually) better-quality old stuff.

So anyway, that's me and my journey in a nutshell. I'll post updates 
(and pics) as I progress as a galoot. See ya around!
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