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Recent Bios FAQ

210377 Mark Lovett Wells <mark@m...> 2010‑12‑03 Bio Update 2010
My name is Mark Wells.  I'm 37 and I live in Austin, TX with my wife
and young son.

I majored in computer science and math and write software for a
living.  Software I wrote helps validate student records collected by
the state departments of education in Wyoming, Alaska, Missouri, and
Idaho.

I did some woodworking as a child and learned from my dad.  My dad
wouldn't use a hand tool if it were the last tool on earth.

I started woodworking again in 2001 after my employer went bust.  I
went from a highly-sought-after engineer to unemployed in the blink of
an eye.  Unemployment changed my perspective on many things.  For one,
I had time to start woodworking again!

I started out with hand tools.  I kept reading about the joys of using
hand tools on rec.woodworking.  I didn't really have money to take
classes, so I read books, articles, and rec.woodworking.  I started
with a blue Record #5 (jack plane with a plastic handle, Jeff).  I got
the old Veritas sharpening guide, some sandpaper and glass, and tried
to "use hand tools."  I was able to get the blade sharp enough to take
some shavings.  I was trying to use the plane to the rounded edges
from a 4x4.  Based on that experience, I decided hand tools are too
hard and take too long.

Over time I stocked up on power tools.  I bought all the usual
machines (except a table saw) and built some nice stuff.

During this project
  http://www.mwells.org/woodworking/shaker-toy-shelves
I realized I really need a functional hand plane.  I also realized
that if I wanted my son to come in the shop, I would have to learn to
use hand tools.

Brent Beach taught my how to sharpen.  At one point Brent mentioned
the Old Tools List.  It took me several more months before I started
sitting on the porch.  That was sometime in 2007.

Since then I've been sliding.  I unplugged my jointer and planer.  I
wrote an evangelical hand tool children's book.  I sold my compound
miter saw.  I try to find other people who are interested in hand
tools and teach them the meager skills I have learned on my own.  I'm
in deep.

Recently my shop time has been limited.  I'm working on a queen-sized
bed.  I bought the wood in January of 2009.  (You all are such a bad
influence.)  After I finish the bed, I have a list of ideas a mile
long.  With a young son, a one-car garage, and an analytical mind,
most of my woodworking limitations are time, space, and courage.

I'm glad I found you guys.  I am convinced that my journey to hand
tools would have been shorter if I had started with a coarse crosscut
saw and a sawbench rather than a jack plane and a workbench.  I
probably could have skipped the power tools altogether.  Anyway, I'm
glad I finally made it on the porch.

Mark
http://www.mwells.org
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Recent Bios FAQ