Another lurker steps onto the porch.  I decided to try my hand at
participating in Galootaclaus so I am posting a bio.  As a girl who grew up
around mechanics they just shake their heads at this 'woodworking' thing.

My story starts with scale modeling of military miniatures and a lot of
scratch building. I was looking for something more challenging and settled
on wooden ship models. Suddenly I needed a whole new skill set (and
vocabulary; chamfer is not something you use in everyday English). So I set
about gathering numerous unmentionable power tools and took over the upper
floor of my father's garage. He didn't mind, the ceiling joists were about 2
inches off my 5'3" frame so he was just using it for storage.

Round about 1998, I discovered the old tools list and have been lurking ever
since. I discovered that I already owned a number of old tools like a few
disston saws, a Yankee screwdriver and two type 20 Stanley smoothing planes.
I also discovered that part of the problem with said tools was quality and
sharpness. Many books, websites, Oldtools digests and Woodwright's Shop
episodes later I found out that I didn't need power tools to build stuff.
There was a whole world of specialized hand tools out there and I just
needed to find them.

Rust hunting is a favourite pastime but my objective is always for user
tools. Although some people have mentioned that I might have a "saw
problem". Returning a dilapidated rusty tool to working order provides me
with a lot of satisfaction. I really enjoy buying old $1 backsaws and
restoring them to their former glory. Currently, I am behind in projects and
those saws just keep following me home.

Professionally I am a teacher and recently transferred to high school where
I teach construction. My students get a real kick out of me going "old
school" when I use a brace or crosscut faster than they can get the bandsaw
set up.

Two weeks ago I slipped down a new slope with the acquisition of a W F &
John Barnes 1883 Patent Drill Press. It was simply too beautiful to walk
away from for $100 Canadian. Even old power tools were elegantly made.

For my birthday this year I went to an old farm auction and acquired a
Armitage Mousehole anvil (200 lbs) so I can explore blacksmithing. I have an
old round Webber BBQ that I am going to convert into a forge so I can mess
around and really annoy my neighbours (Did I mention I live in the city?).

Currently I reside in Hamilton, Ontario which is just around the bay from
Lee Valley Tools, an hour from Tools of the Trade and eight hours from
Patina.

Storm
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