OldTools Archive

Recent Bios FAQ

113169 "Andy Chappell-Dick" <andy@m...> 2003‑01‑13 my bio
Greetings, everyone.  Please to meet you all, thanks for making room for
me.  You folks sure keep up a lively banter.

I started woodworking professionally twelve years ago, mostly part-time
while my kids were little.  Since my youngest started first grade last
September, I'm now trying to figure out how to make a worthy full-time
living at this.

I have always preferred hand tools.  A couple of handheld power tools
lurked around for a while, but they're pretty much out of the picture.  My
passion is not in the hand tools per se, but in the act of working without
an external power input.  To that end, I have lately acquired a couple old
foot-powered treadle tools (although, as Thom told me, that's a slippery
slope...)

I'm not into high-end stuff, neither the tools I use nor the stuff I make.
 Not the tools for the simple reason of my lowly economic status.  Not the
stuff because my skills aren't there.  Yet.

My interests and experience include:  architectural restoration
(sashmaking, in particular), furniture of many types, finish carpentry,
planemaking, historic demonstration.

I've spent a year working construction in Japan (long story) and last
winter helping with the restoration of a listed property in Wales (sad
story).  I'm originally from southern Ontario (like most good things in
America, this list also seems to have a surreptitious Canadian content.)

Again, good to meet you all.  More bio details later.  I'll just stand
over in this far corner of the Porch... keep my back to the wall for
awhile...



Recent Bios FAQ