OldTools Archive

Recent Bios FAQ

5998 RYwoodview@a... 1996‑09‑16 Somewhat tardy bio and hello
Greetings and salutations!

While I am sure this is a constantly breaking record, at this moment I must
be the most delayed auto-biographer on the List.  Last November, when O'Deen
and TB were initially plotting the Neanderthal break-off from rec.ww, I
dropped Paddy a line to note my interest.  I followed the archive from the
beginning, and then subscribed in January.  Ever since, I have been silently
and shamelessly lurking, learning, and leaning on all of your greater wisdom
(and greater style, in most cases).  Having finally convinced myself that
simple solidarity is good enough reason to introduce myself, since I have
absolutely _no_ technical skills or advice to offer my betters -- here goes:
 
 
I am 41, and over the past several years, while repairing and renovating what
is turning into a very pleasant home on a few acres with horses, dogs, cats,
fruit trees, meadow, barns, and a large forested park behind, I have acquired
an adequate set of Normish tools, both portable and stationary.  No
embarassment from me about that -- it wouldn't get done otherwise.
         But.....
I've always been interested in learning handcraft skills, and I had several
grandfather/great-grandfather woodworkers in my lineage, and one or two
pieces of furniture that they created.  My father and I have a few genuine
Old Tools from them that we don't dare use (yet) but now that my "production"
phase is over, I have the chance to begin thinking and learning rather than
just doing.

I began with a few things from various sources: a #8 jointer plane (1920's
vintage per the Blood & Gore), a big C-clamp (Brink & Cotton #148), a brace,
a 2-foot folding ruler, an old rosewood and brass Stanley adjustable bevel
and a beat up draw knife.  A couple of months ago, I picked up a benchtop
jointer to add to my p**** t*** options, and when setting it up, decided I'd
just as well take down the old, highly patinaed #8 to see if it really does
what they say.  I couldn't bring myself to start with a real tuning job, so I
just tried it as is edging some boards for glue up.  This particular plane
was given to me a decade ago, having been purchased from the estate of a
deceased Kansas City area woodworker active into his 80s.  So he probably got
it when new tools were good tools, and last set it down 60 years later when
it passed through to me -- then I ignored it entirely until now.  Wonder of
wonders, the blade was sharp, reasonably square, and it bit right in, a
little thickly.  Once the blade was a hair shallower, it cleanly slid right
along that board leaving only a single board length and width translucent
shaving in its wake.  I can't say it was a religious experience, but I was
mighty surprised that that old man had somehow seen fit to get it right
through his death, the sale, the getting and giving, and my indifference
through two moves and no care from me into my hands that night just to show
me that there really is something magic about these tools if you just show
them a little respect.  By the way, the boards fit perfectly and I have yet
to run anything through my moto-jointer.  And I solved my worry over how in
the world would I ever lap a sole that long by trying some straight-edges
several directions on it and declaring it flat enough -- which the results in
my first-timer hands seemed to support.  Put me down for the Lumpy Sole
faction, since it seems like so much less work.
I'd add that over Labor Day weekend, my parents visited and my father and I
were refinishing some chest of drawers they brought for me.  I pulled out the
#8 and managed to flatten the top on one of them, knot and all, and was again
very pleased.

Last month, I went to my first flea market in search of old tools, and also
stopped at a consignment store seeking the same.  I felt it a very good haul:
 a simple 1 1/4" wooden rabbet plane (no marks) and a good unrusted user #5
for $40 together, a #71 router plane with one 1/2" blade and no guide but
100% nickel and beautiful knobs for $25, a clearly hand-made well-used and
perfectly tight, usable marking gauge for $1.50, and a good solid mallet for
$3.
If I paid too much, don't tell me; I was thrilled with the experience and
with finding some things I will use that I know something about from the List
and those books I've been reading.

Finally, in my other life I seem to be an anomaly here.  My computer is a
tool to help me in my business (physician) and I have absolutely no other
connection to the computer world, software programming, or system
administering (except our home Mac), nor do I know beans about woodworking as
a living.  Which is why, of course, that I can't wait to get out of my office
and into my basement workshop or barn, as my own change of pace.  I like
being outside anytime, working around my place or backpacking (especially in
winter, which is a good thing around here), fishing, hunting, etc.  

I don't know what else I'll have to say, but I hope this now establishes my
rights to ask questions and get in on the new editions of Hats by Olguin,
Marking Knives by Hock, and IT Saws by P&P.

(Good grief, 80 lines to say hello -- good thing I didn't have much to say.)

+                                 +                                   +
        Robb Young                    'Woodview'
  RYwoodview@a...     Pittsford, New York                       
                                           (716) 442-7830
+                                 +                                   +      
" . . . there is only one great thing,
             The only thing,
        To live to see the great day that dawns
             And the light that fills the world."
                                  - - Old Inuit Song          
+                                 +                                   +
                               



Recent Bios FAQ