Greetings all,
I have been reading "oldtools" for some years now and decided to join up.

I live in the state of New South Wales, Australia.
Was born in a small country town where the main industry was cutting 
cedar (australian
red cedar)
My dad was a real blacksmith making anything from nuts and bolts for the 
local bridge
construction during the Depression when hardware was hard to come by, to 
the usual
horse shoes and plough (plow) blades etc., to leaf springs for cars and 
trucks etc.
Interestingly, just before he died in 1974, you could buy a cheap, 
imported, complete
spring set for less he was able to buy the steel to make an equivalent set!
These were very inferior to his handmade springs.
Guess thats progress for you, the throw away society!!

Anyway, back to the story....
I spent all my working career in the power generating industry.
Started as an apprentice electrician and then became an electrical 
draftsman which I did for
30 years.
Not so long ago about 150 of us were told "sorry, you're redundant".
So here I am, almost 54, unemployed, debt free and ohhhhhh sooooo happy!!!
Have all the time I want to follow the swap meet trail around the state 
plus auctions plus
garage sales etc.

I am divorced, raised my 3 offspring basically by myself so it is good 
to have a
break from the 9 to 5 lifestyle.

My main interest is metalworking/machinist tools but will buy almost 
anything of interest
given the opportunity.
Also collect older books on machining, woodworking, tool catalogues 
(catalogs) and
anything to do with steam power.
Oh, yes, not to forget the hundreds of vinyl records and about ten 
turntables
(gotta play the lp's on something).
Also have a 20 or so valve (tube) radios which may get restored someday.
And yes I do need a bigger storage shed....6 metres by 9 metres is 
barely adequate and
I really would like to be able to use my workbench and lathe and drill 
press without
having to clamber over boxes of books and tools to get to where they are.

Please help me, do I have a problem?
Should I attend my local "HA" group (that's 'Hoarders Anonymous')?
......."Hi, I'm Peter and I have a problem".
Is there a cure out there or am I on that slippery slope?
Medication perhaps or therapy?
Please advise.

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