OldTools Archive

Recent Bios FAQ

160729 Matthew Cottrell <mcottrell@c...> 2006‑05‑31 Bio, somewhat long, and a question/remark...
Esteemed Galoots--

Typical story--I've been lurking for a few months (well, more than a 
few), have thoroughly enjoyed, and
felt I should step up to the Porch for all the usual reasons.

I'm 51, married, no GITs, two cats (only one of whom shows any interest 
in being a Shop Cat), and have built
something of a c*ll*ct**n of both tailed apprentices and real tools.  I 
was fortunate that my late father was a fairly
serious DIY-er, although killing electrons was always part of his plan.  
He and my brothers and I did lots of fairly
serious remodelling things in several houses, so I got used to saws, 
hammers, squares, drills, etc., at a young age
(about 5, actually).  Even learned to sweat copper pipe (never with a 
REAL blowtorch, though),
as well as to do el*ctric*l things.  Dad did have, by means which I'll 
never know, a fair number of old hand
tools which fell to me even before his passing.  Things like an Ohio 
Tools filletster, plough, dado planes, nosing planes,
side beads, etc.  He NEVER used them.

Bottom line:  I love planes of all kinds (well duh!!), and have lately 
taken quite a shining to saws, braces, and...other
things...and best of all, SWMBO is VERY tolerant.  She has her own, 
uhhh, obsessions, however, so it evens out.

Took woodshop, metalshop, and drafting in junior high and high school in 
Cincinnati, OH, even though I was
so-called "college prep" material, and my counselor STRONGLY recommended 
against what he derided as
"manual training".  In college, and in graduate school, however, I 
became something of a machinist, electronics
technician, and all-around hands-on kind of Ph. D. physicist.  My oldest 
brother had introduced me to electronics
at an early age; and I still do some of that (vacuum-tube audio gear, if 
you really want to know).  And, most
precipitously over the edge of the slippery slope, my mother used to 
take me to country auctions starting when I
was about eight years old, and ocassionally let me buy old stuff.  I 
have, to this day, in my office, a Victorian round
oak table with real claw feet, for which Mom and I agree we probably 
paid $5.00, in the "olden days..." about
1966 or so...Also my first plane--a Stanley #27 (transitional wood/iron 
fore plane, Jeff)--maybe fifty cents, in almost
new condition.

Having made the transition to the DARK SIDE of management, I don't have 
enough time to do much other than
clean and admire my old tools, but I do turn out a project or two now 
and then--mostly bowls (on a tailed lathe),
small furniture, and home improvement stuff (trim, bannisters, 
miscellaneous built-ins, etc.).

Anyway--I look forward to participating, and learning more from the 
established members here.

As for the questions/comments:  I attended the previously mentioned 
Atlee Hochstetter/Hess Brothers auction in
southern Ohio last year, as part of visiting my dear old Mom (83 years 
young).  She was intrigued, and sat through
several hours of watching me bid, but the seating was a bit hard on 
her!  Won a few good items (Atkins saw,
several planes, etc.).  The Hess brothers and their crew are GREAT 
auctioneers, with a real old-time call style, cadence,
and great attention to the crowd (just pay attention--if you lose your 
place, you can be in BIG trouble!).

However:  I seem to recall seeing on their web site that Hochstetter 
"sold the farm", literally.  I can't seem to resurrect
this info--did anyone else see this?  I'll have Mom watch the local paper...

Thanks for the indulgence, and I'll try to throw out a question or a bit 
of (questionable) wisdom now and then.  If
anyone in and around, or even near, the tool and wood wasteland that is 
Columbia Maryland wants to
correspond, let me know.  Sorry for the long-windedness.
Regards,

mjc

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Recent Bios FAQ