OldTools Archive

Recent Bios FAQ

30284 Mark Stull <mstull@f...> 1997‑11‑10 Bio - Mark Stull
Well, having been prodded to submit my bio (thanks, 
Hal), I've written this up and am submitting it for
your reading pleasure....

I live in Jefferson, Maryland, which is in Frederick
County (having been settled so long, this is not a bad
area for old-tool availability). By day, I'm a computer
software geek, but by night, I play the fiddle and (try
to) work wood, mostly with "old" tools. I also brew my
own beer, make my own wine, and load my own ammo.

I had the usual woodshop classes in Junior High (this
was before the days of "middle school"). But I never 
enjoyed them much, and in fact, I can only think of one
project I actually managed to finish (a cutting board).

I started working wood "for real" in 1988. We had just
moved into a new house, and realized the need for a 
bookcase. After seeing the prices of bookcases at
the stores, I figured I could surely make something just
as good for a lot less money. So, not knowing any 
better, I acquired a circular saw, a router and a 
beltsander, figuring this is all I would need. It's
pretty funny now, looking back on it.

Not too long after this, I came across Roy on the TV,
and thought "Wow! That sure seems to beat all those
noisy machines." (I had by this time also picked up a
radial arm saw). So, I went out and bought some (new)
Record planes. And I started looking around for things
like spokeshaves, drawknives, and the like.

Since then, I've really gotten fond of wooden planes, 
both bench and moulding. Interestingly enough, I still
don't own any old metal planes. I've gotten rid of the
radial arm saw (although I have acquired a tablesaw
instead, but as I posted a couple of days ago, I mostly
use it as a table), and picked up a bunch of handsaws
(saw sharpening is next on my list of things to learn).
Oh, and I've taught SWMBO to be on the lookout for old
tools whenever she's out and about.

I also do some woodcarving (using knives and gouges
only; no power tools there!). Well, actually, I do have
a bandsaw that I use for roughing out the blanks.

When all is said and done, I think I like woodworking 
using the "old" methods, because it's a much more laid-
back way of doing things. It takes me back to times 
that were simpler (well, that's the perception, anyway).

Oh, I did finally finish that bookcase. Turns out it
would've been a lot cheaper to have bought one, although
far less interesting and fun.

Mark E. Stull
Jefferson, MD
mstull@f...



Recent Bios FAQ