Hello, I thought that since I've been posting a bit lately that I'd
introduce myself.  My name is Steve Longley.  The short-non-Galoot profile
is:  married, no kids, two dogs, one cat, and working on my third "old
house" project.  Well, *old* in my neck of the woods (1936) - that neck
would be Dallas - and those woods would be Texas.

I'd classify my woodworking skills as "variable."  I know a lot more
theory than I've been able to put into practice, and I'd like a chance for
my "bench time" to catch up.  Most of my woodworking over the years has
been confined to old house restoration and as such I've learned quite a
lot about duplicating old millwork and house parts and I've gotten to
where I can cut-and-cope a mean crown moulding (thank you very much).

For my pleasurable woodworking time, I've always tended toward hand tools.
I think that stems from an appreciation for true craftsmanship and the old
ways of doing things (as well as being a bit of a contrarian).  I learned
a lot of my skill-set volunteering at the "Age of Steam Railroad Museum"
in Dallas, working on historic railroad cars. (btw... You should see some of
the old mechanics and metalworking tools that were donated by the Pullman
Co. when they closed their Dallas shop back in the early 60s! - oops, I
digress).

As for my non-rusty, less-dusty hobbies:  I am a backpacker (that's
mountain hiking, Jeff). I usually do 3-5 weekend trips a year in nearby
Arkansas and an annual 5-6 day trip to somewhere in the Rockies.  I
occasionally build a bit of stained glass, most of which I have given away
as gifts.  I do have a couple of larger architectural scale glass projects
lined up for the house, but that's for another discussion.

I've had workshops since I was about 14 when I commandeered a wooden shed
in my parent's backyard.  Other shops have been in a metal building, a
dirt-floored one car garage, a brick-floored greenhouse, and most recently
in a very nice 2-car garage with a 13 x 12 bump-out in the back of one of
the bays.  Of course I have no hope of ever getting a car into my side of
the garage, but SWMBO insists on getting one in hers - but I did negotiate
air-rights on her side!

While I'm a newbie to this group, I'm somewhat of an old-timer as well. I
was a regular lurker and sometimes commentator in rec.woodworking back in
the last century (1993-95), that would be prior to the great
Normite/Neanderthal schism - although it was brewing at the time.  This
was back in the pre-WWW dark ages of dial-up and download / read and post
/ dial-up and upload via Bulletin Board Systems.  The BBS that I used back
then was called "The Lunatic Fringe" - Yes, I see that those who know me
are nodding their heads ;-)

My old tool collection is geared heavily towards the user category.  I
have enough to get me by on most projects without having to resort to the
tailed-ones if I don't have to or want to.  I bought my first three
Stanley planes back in my rec.woodworking days from non-other than Patrick
himself (lets just say that they've been sharpened a few times since
then).   Those of you who have FS lists will, if you have not already,
hear from me as I expand my collection of users.

While my grandfather was finish carpenter back when carpenters were
carpenters, I never knew him since he died in the 1920s and I did not come
along until the 1950s.  Unfortunately, nothing of his tools made it my
way.  Who knows, maybe I've bought something of his I don't even know it -
anyone have plans for a Ouija Board?

As I've read and lurked over the last couple of months, and as you all
offer up links, I've been perusing your webpages.  I have to say that I'm
thoroughly impressed with the work that you Galoots are doing, impressed
with the webpages, as well as the projects and the tool building.  Scott
Grandstaff's work is amazing and I'm so impressed with Steve Knights work
that  I've ordered a coffin smoother from him - the first new plane that
I've ever purchased - and a woodie - imagine that!?

I've recently been investigating and studying up on carving (btw... very
nice Green Man on your website Jim Thompson).  Like Jim, I've been reading
Chris Pye's books, but so far I've only gotten as far as a few elementary
practice carvings.  Now that I have a real workshop, I want a real bench.
I hope to build a traditional style bench within the next year, but the
list of honey-dos and house to-dos don't seem to be getting much shorter.

I always find the porch discussions most interesting, if not downright
entertaining.  It's amazing how any topic broached will bring forth a
wealth of information and considered insight -- and it's all offered up
with a genuine willingness to share.  I'm looking forward to hanging out
with, and continuing to learn from, such a fine bunch of people.

Cheers,
Steve