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84500 Ambrose Liao ambrose@m... 2000‑10‑03 Bio from Maryland
Hello everyone!

My name is Ambrose Liao and I live in Chevy Chase, Maryland about a mile
North of Washington, DC. After lurking for many months, I thought it was
about time I introduced myself. I too am a computer geek (Information
Technology Specialist) who enjoys woodworking with hand tools.

I am new to oldtools in that I took wood shop while in school but did not
actively pursue woodworking after that until recently.

When LOML and I bought our home, I became the honey-do handyman and with
that came the interest in woodworking. The progression from p*w*r tools to
hand tools was an epiphany for me. I loved watching N*rm on TV and admiring
his multiplicity of expensive tailed apprentices and constantly dreamed of
acquiring more p*w*r tools. However, the realities of not enough space,
time, money... and the necessity to have eye, ear, lung protection whenever
I wanted to do woodworking made me realize that woodworking should be
approached as a craft: done with manpower/not horsepower.

One Sunday morning, I turned on the TV and spotted a guy wearing a funny cap
and acting kind of goofy. However, he got to work with his wooden mallet,
mortise chisel, tenon saw and mortise gauge and he had cut a mortise AND
tenon in about 5 minutes in one take without taking ANY measurements! Now, I
have seen N*rm do this with his dedicated m*rt*s*r and his t*bl* saw, but it
took much longer than 5 minutes (even though it had been edited down to
about 30 seconds). So, I have Saint Roy to thank for introducing me to the
revelation of old hand tools. I've learned more from watching one of his
shows than I've learned watching all of N*rm's shows.

My main tool search (WTB) right now is for a good user mortise gauge, a
10-12" try square, and a 8-9" sliding bevel all preferably rosewood and
brass. I'm also looking for a solid 3/8" mortise chisel.

Since this is new to me, and since the budget is tight, I'm definitely a
bottom-feeder. So far, I've acquired some inexpensive (nothing costs more
than $22!) user tools which I've rehabilitated:

Disston D-7 crosscut ($6 estate sale)
Disston D-12 lightweight rip saw ($15 antique mall)
Disston #4 mitre box/tenon saw ($4 estate sale)
Dunlap crosscut, ($2 estate sale)
Imperial tenon saw ($16 antique mall) (anyone know of this manufacturer?)
coupla coping saws
Stanley #OH4 two-tone smoother ($15 thrift shop) (my first plane!)
Stanley #5 ($22 *bay)
Stanley #9-1/2 low-angle block ($10 from the List, thanks Trevor!)
Stanley two-tone block ($8 thrift shop)
Stanley #78 rabbet complete ($18 antique mall)
Stanley #122 transitional ($15 antique store)
Buck Brothers Jack ($10 antique store)
Pexto, Witherby, Marples chisels (assorted places)
Stanley #51 spokeshave ($3 *bay)
Cleancut 8" drawknife ($10 thrift shop)
Tryon drill ($15 antique mall) (anyone know of this manufacturer?)
Millers Falls hand drill ($5 thrift shop)
Irwin Auger bits (estate sales)
etc...

I have learned much from the Porch and will start asking some newbie
questions. 

The first question. What finish is best for wooden tool handles, both for
saw handles and plane knobs/totes? I've had to clean up some of my finds
rather extensively (some were painted) and am now need to refinish them. The
main question is what's the best finish that won't get tacky when it gets a
bit wet with perspiration or heat (paddylac, varnish, tung oil, linseed?)

Thanks.

Ambrose 



Recent Bios FAQ