OldTools Archive

Recent Bios FAQ

126033 "Peter Monson" <peter.c.monson@u...> 2003‑12‑17 De-Lurk & BIO for Peter Monson
Hello Galoots: I have been lurking under the porch for a while now, and
feel it is time to introduce myself. For those who are interested, I am
in my late 40's and live with SWMBO, GIT and DOG in the Rocky Mountains
outside Denver, Colorado, elev. 8,000 feet, and work "down the hill" in
Denver. I can also be found skiing or biking when I get the chance. It
all started innocently enough when my son (aka GIT) was born six years
ago. I began my woodworking adventures (in my garage shop which still
contains two cars!) when I wanted to build him a rocking horse for his
birthday and found a pretty cool plan. I followed it to the letter,
using a tailed j*g s*w mostly and a recent vintage Disston hand saw.
(Old tool content so far = 0). Next we needed GIT furniture, and were
dissatisfied with price and/or quality of commercial offerings and so
decided to do it myself, to "save money". (Of course, I justified more
tools by pointing out to SWMBO how much we saved on furniture -- I'm
sure no other galoot has ever done that. ;^)) I proceeded to do more
projects, mostly in the Arts and Crafts style, and mostly using
electrons. Presently, I am (slowly) doing the (8) Stickley style chairs
for the dining table I made SWMBO last spring but using more hand tools
than before. I have always been intrigued by hand tools for woodworking
(having tuned skis for many years with hand tools) but have only
recently stepped onto the slippery slope of old tools, mostly in search
of a better way to smooth wood than tailed s*nd*rs and their ilk. Also,
the shop is quieter and friendlier for GIT and SWMBO when the power
tools aren't howling. I have only recently appreciated the value of old
tools and begun a small collection of "users" which I do use, or at
least try to use, on my projects. These include a few Stanley bench and
scraper planes, and spokeshaves, a couple of Millers Falls spokeshaves,
and, dare I say it, YB British infill planes. I am afraid that I am now
clinically addicted to rosewood, steel, gunmetal and diaphanous
shavings. Is there a cure?? Perhaps there is none, which is ok since I
know where to find likeminded toolaholics. I thank you all for the humor
and knowledge you share here on "the porch". I fear that for a while I
will be taking in more from this group than I will be able to return, at
least in the short term, but hopefully I will be able to contribute
something of value down the road. In that regard, I will be posting a
question or two here in the near future. Cheers, Peter


Recent Bios FAQ