Hi all,

Time that I introduced myself. Sorry it has taken so long but I wanted
to get a feel for the group before I put my foot in my mouth. My name in
Randy Wilkinson and I own and operate R.S. Wilkinson. I am in the
business of building antique reproduction furniture. I have been working
in this capacity for 8 years and have never looked back.

What a journey it has been. I started 8 years ago after getting my
degree(BSEE) and was unable to get a job. So I took a leap of faith and
started building furniture and thus developed the bug for old tools.
After working for a cabinetmaker(at least that is what he called
himself) for 3 years I went to work restoring eighteenth century homes.
What a blast that was as well as an education. I can't tell you how many
bdf of floors, walls, and millwork I have hand planed. During this time
I started to develope a need to restore and then conserve wooden
artifacts. And that is the path I have been on ever since. Presently,
along with building my furniture, I do lots of restoration of eighteenth
century furniture and most recenty have been acepted to the Furniture
Conservation Training Program at the Smithsonian Institution. My
interests lie mostly in the wooden molding plane area but the Stanley
tools are the backbone of my business.

I glad to hear that there is debate over how to treat our tools as well
as the dedication to the use of tools in a maner inwhich the tools were
created. Thanks to Patrick for introducing me to the list.

Randy