OldTools Archive

Recent Bios FAQ

79571 DYurwit@a... 2000‑06‑10 bio----finally
Venerable Galooti (sounds like an intro to an Asian Star Wars; and makes my 
spell-check very unhappy):  
     After lurking under the porch for the better part of a year, soaking up 
the collective wit and wisdom, I guess it's about time I quit the voyeurism 
and join the fun and occasional fray. (Fortunately I am not a "joiner" or a 
"jointer," so I can stay out of the current heated thread.)  I know you all 
hear it frequently, but I am amazed by the wealth of knowledge within this 
group and the willingness to share readily and openly. And what I find even 
more intriguing, is the diversity of experience, backgrounds, and 
temperaments of the group members.
    I almost forgot.  I am Dan Yurwit, from the wilds of central New Jersey, 
where I currently call myself a semi-retired Realtor.  I'm much too young to 
retire, and much too old to work as hard as I have been for the past 15 years 
in this business.  (In previous lives, I have been a psychotherapist, social 
worker, and home improvement contractor, among other things.)  I'm hoping 
that the "semi-"  part will allow me to do some of the deferred improvements 
and maintenance on our 1923 home, and maybe even try my hand at producing a 
few pieces of Craftsman style furniture (using vintage hand tools, of 
course).  SHMBO is more realistic.  She'd settle for just having me locate 
that elusive leak in the back roof!
    Now the confession---I am a collector of antique tools; primarily 
woodworking, but including a little of everything that I find interesting or 
aesthetically pleasing. On occasion I even part with a few on that on-line 
unmentionable. Those that interest me most are those which usually get 
classified as "primitive," or those that show the mark of the maker's 
hand---whether in wood or iron.  Stanley, Millers Falls, etc., tools are 
great as users (and I do have plenty--although there is no such thing as 
enough), but they hold little interest for me as collectibles. I've been at 
this for over 30 years, and still love the hunt.  On the other hand, I enjoy 
using any of my antique tools when there is a project to be done.  Few are of 
such value that they have to just sit on a shelf.  I knew I was hooked on 
using antique tools back in the early 70's when I dragged home a section of 
very old chestnut log from the woods and managed to turn it into a beautiful 
(although not very well-made) jewelry box, using just the antique tools I 
owned at the time: froe, maul, shaving horse, drawknife, marking gauge, 
scratch awl, dovetail saw, scraper, a couple of woody planes and chisels. I 
guess I did cheat with a modern screw driver, but I still love that box and 
thrilled at discovering the beauty and workability of the wood.
    Enough nostalgia.  I hope to be able to keep learning from this forum, 
and to be able to contribute an occasional comment or question. But I surely 
do hate polishing brass.
Dan



Recent Bios FAQ