Hi GGs:
After lurking for several months and sending a number of private
comments, I've decided to join in the fun despite feeling I'm a bit out
of place re the goals and opinions of the majority. But that's not a new
feeling for me and maybe the group can stand a bit more balance. My
interest in old tools is much more as a collector than as a user - the
ratio is probably about 98/2. I am very tolerant of the opinions and
preferences of others that disagree with me and have been a bit
disturbed by the apparent disdain with which some user Galoots seem to
view collectors. As my wise old grandmother used to tell me, "If two
people agree on everything, one of them is unnecessary."
Anyway, on to the conventional data. I grew up in a small farm town
in southern NJ, went into the Army out of high school, served 9 years
with them as an electronics technician, switched to a civil service job
with the National Security Agency (NSA), and retired from that in 1985.
Now living in Cheverly, MD, just outside DC with SWMBO of 50 years; have
1 son and 1 daughter, both living in this general area.
Started collecting tools in early 70s. As of this year, I've moved
out of the collecting mode and am now weeding my piles out - selling off
cheaper/junkier stuff first and working my way up the quality ladder. I
belong to EAIA, MWTCA, PATINA, CRAFTS, and TATHS and have written
numerous tool articles for all their publications plus the Fine Tool
Journal and others. But my primary claim to fame in old tool circles is
having edited the EAIA's Directory of American Toolmakers (DAT); a large
part of 8 years of my life went into that. My collection is quite
eclectic with representative examples of a wide range of types, users,
etc., vs. any one speciality. But I do tilt somewhat toward measuring
type tools - rules, levels, calibrated bevels, scales, etc.
That's all I can think of for now; more of my quirks will
undoubtedly become evident in my message postings.
Best Wishes to All,
Bob Nelson
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