OldTools Archive

Recent Bios FAQ

63751 Dorian Reeder <dorianr@s...> 1999‑06‑09 Another Newbie Bio
Hello,
     oh hallowed,
          experienced,
               old handtool gurus:

('Old' goes with the handtools, not the gurus.)  Well, look up 'newbie'
in Webster's and you'd probably see my picture.  I don't know how many
ways there are to say newbie, but I guess they'd pretty much all apply
to me.

I'm a 48 year old male (don't let the first name fool you) who some 35
or so years ago attended parochial schools that didn't offer any sort
of vocational-technical training.  As a result, I got directed toward
the math and science kinda disciplines.  (This did me just a *world*
of good in 22 years in the military.  ;-)   In all seriousness, I
regret the absence of vocational-technical training, but not the
presence of math and science training.)  Anyway, to try to put a
positive spin on being untrained I like to think of it as being that
proverbial old, dry sponge just waiting to soak up every little
bit of moisture that floats by.

It was interesting reading the Nahm thread over the last couple of
days.  I'd have to confess to some of the same experiences that several
of you reported.  Watching NYW did bring on an interest but all those
hi $$$ stationary machines and tailed tools made it all seem pretty
much out of reach.  Then maybe a year or so ago I happened on to the
wreck-the-wood discussion group and lurked there until their next flame
war started.

Fortunately, before that happened a few threads about the porch,
Patrick's B&G, etc., came along and peaked my interest.  So I read,
clicked a link, read, clicked, lurked, clicked. . .well you know that
story.  Anyway, before long I had ordered my first two hunks of rust
from the MofA, a #5 and a #60-1/2 (actually, I don't think either one
of them had even a speck of rust.)  Then it was off to the flea markets
and antique malls to bottom feed.

So far the additions have mostly been of the Stanley persuasion; a #3C
(which I've got a question about, but I'll post that separately), #4,
#608 and #12.  Oh yeah, I also picked up a nice little M.Crannell
on the cheap (if $15 is cheap).  It cuts a pretty, delicate little 1/8
inch bead.  (BTW, what are these long, thin, wooden planks attached to
the bottom of my feet?  Skis??  What are they for?  What slippery
slope?)

I don't know if you guys and gals who've been doin' this for years
can relate to this anymore or not.  For someone like me, who'd never
done anything more than read about how to use a handplane, to get one
of these old beasties, to run it through SS, to touch it to a piece of
hard maple, and to see a _reasonably_ thin shaving curl out of it,
well, it's just a really incredible feeling!

Oh yeah, this ramble is supposed to be a bio.  Okay, I'm married to a
trust department banker type who, so far, has been _amazingly_
understanding about this tool thing.  During the day I sit here in my
Yukon, Oklahoma home at this %#^)*!~ keyboard all day and do application
development for a software vendor to the banking industry.  Other than
learning about old tools and wood as a hobby, I also like homebrew (both
the making and the drinking) and good cigars.  I realize the last two
don't go particularly well with the first two, at least not at the same
time.  Anyway, I'll bring this ramble to an end now and post my separate
and very short (I promise) question.  I look forward to soaking up some
of your collective expertise!

Dorian Reeder
Yukon, OK, USA



Recent Bios FAQ