Well, here goes . . .
    My name is John Welch, I'm 36 and I'm the manager of the Euchee Creek
Library in Grovetown, Georgia. I've been interested in old tools for about
ten years; it started when I was living on a farm doing caretaking chores
in lieu of rent and I found that I could buy quality older tools from the
flea market cheaper than I could buy new stuff in stores. This, in
combination with a fear of losing my fingers and incredible cheapness, lead
to an appreciation of hand tool work. Now, I try to make some time every
day (if only an hour or so) to spend in my portable building working on
something; especially my woeful lack of skill. I have a wife, a 5 year old
daughter (she has her own toolchest and tools), another kid on the way,
dogs, cats and horses for the wife. I live in the country and I like it
that way.
        There are lots of tool guys around my area (near Augusta); they seem to
 be
an OK lot except around auctions when they mercilessly outbid me on things
that I point out to them. I was shocked and pleased to find that others
shared my interest.
        Recent oldtool work: I turned some topwater fishing plugs out of
cedar, pine and odd palletwood for my father on a treadle lathe. I'm going
to make a lot more for myself. On Thanksgiving Day I forged a fire rake
over at my Brother-in-law's house on a forge and anvil that he got from me.
        Anyway, I'll post if I have something to contribute.
John Welch