As a lurker for some time and an accomplished eBay sniper (I've 
considered changing my eBay ID to something like "Unertl20"; I snipe 
without apology because I learned the hard way that a lot of you from 
whom I buy tools will do the same to me if I'm fool enough to bid too 
early), I already know many Galoots. Others I know only through their 
writings, their web sites, or their videos (and I'm not going to digress 
just yet). For those who don't know me, here's the required bio.
   Background: a child of the South, with 40 years in Texas preceded by 
several in the Trans-Sabine region, I've been living happily and working 
reluctantly in the San Francisco area since 1984. Woodworking was not a 
part of my life until the past few years, with the exception of some 
very early exposure to turning.
   As MofA described his former self, I'm a software dork. Have been 
since 1959, and, unlike that worthy, haven't yet been able to afford to 
tell the man to KMA. The subject does occupy my mind almost constantly, 
however. As an antidote, I have turned to a number of expensive hobbies. 
Woodworking belatedly got my attention a few years ago, and I overfilled 
my garage fragment with more Delta tailed apprentices than I have room 
to accommodate safely or comfortably.
   Experiences with current production planes (before I discovered 
Lie-Nielsen) and saws sent me in search of better tools, which 
inevitably led to a maniacal accumulation of old tools. I've dealt with 
several of the major dealers and been generally satisfied. For the most 
part, however, I've built the collection and continue to overflow it on 
eBay. Having accumulated so many things which I now find to be surplus, 
I'll probably start selling off some of them eventually. If not, my 
widow will have some pleasant surprises.
   My special afflictions are planes and panel saws, although I've loaded 
up on chisels, eggbeaters, braces, and all sorts of pure crap in the 
process. In planes, I am a great fan of YB's, and because I was born 
prior to WWII, nobody can call me a Yuppie. Get over it. After all, I've 
also supported worthy Galoot Steve Knight by having this affection for 
infills. And I'm happy to report that his work every bit as well as 
those from Spiers or any of the countless, nameless Scots who made more 
limited runs of infill planes.
   In addition to infills, I have a special fondness for 3's. That's 
about the smallest size I feel comfortable handling, although I do have 
a couple each of 2's and 1's. Favorites are Type 3 and 4 Bedrocks, Type 
11's, and Sargents. I'm also building a collection of woodies, of course.
   As to the panel saws, I got the first one because of the cramped 
conditions of my "shop". Then I discovered that the grip and overall 
size would be perfect for my grandkids or even for my daughter, and 
started looking for another good one. Well, at about a dozen, I think 
I've reached the point where I can spare them one as soon as they make 
the apartment-to-house switch and can use it.
   Much of the collection has been acquired similarly - if I like it or 
think it's an essential part of a hand-tool collection, I tend to pick 
up an extra to stockpile for them. I've stockpiled enough in their names 
now that I could equip several small shops with all the hand tools 
they'd ever need. And, like most collectors, I don't hesitate to pick up 
an even better one if it presents itself and screams "bargain" at me. 
After all, one of these days, they'll all be more valuable, and I can 
possibly finance part of my retirement by unloading some of them. I'm 
sure many of you have told yourselves something similar. But it's true 
that, with a few exceptions, they're not making tools like these any 
more. I'm grateful for the likes of Lie-Nielsen, and I try to spread my 
budget over some of his nicer offerings whenever possible. He's not the 
only one making good tools now (thanks for several goodies, Steve), and 
I think it's important that tool lovers support the few who are brave 
enough to devote themselves to creating or recreating fine tools.
   Accumulating knowledge necessarily comes with accumulating old tools; 
I've obtained most of the standard references and keep DAT, BPM, and AWP 
on one side of the keyboard, Dave Heckel's Sargent guide and a copy of 
John Walter's Stanley guide at the other. Both volumes of PTAMPIA are 
nearby, along with a number of catalogue reprints, other patent guides, 
books on the making of wooden planes or other tools. Through a lot of 
reading, too much spending, and a long time lurking here, I've gradually 
accumulated enough knowledge (or at least the resources required to fake 
it) that I feel I might be able to make an occasional contribution to 
the group. So, despite the fact that I've come to Galootishness 
relatively late in life, I'm looking forward to being a part of the 
group.
   Just one question: does anyone know the origin of the word "galoot"? 
The relatively ancient dictionary I keep in this room just lists its 
origin as unknown; I  no longer have any references specializing in 
slang. My personal theory, and it's just that, is that it might well 
have come about as a corruption of the French "galeux". I base that only 
on the similarity in sound and definition, not on any serious research.
   OK, two questions: where can I get one of those caps?