Hello to all. I have worked with wood most of my life, but until
recently it was more of the advanced carpentry rather than fine
woodworking variety. One exception was a time spent building and
repairing stringed instruments some 25 years ago. Though I have a shop
fairly well-equipped with power tools, most of my time now is spent with
hand tools. This is due in no small part to all I have learned from
contributors to the Old Tools list. The dusty box in my shop labeled
"old planes" has produced some good users now that I know how to
sharpen, tune, and use them.

I am nearing 60 years of age and retired a couple of years ago after my
partners and I sold our engineering/construction company. Since then I
have used the extra time to pursue my interest in woodworking as well as
photography, kayaking, gardening, and playing guitar.

I consider myself more a user of old tools rather than a collector, but
my wife would probably dispute that point. I do have trouble avoiding
stopping at every flea market and antique mall I pass. My lastest
project completed was a small table in African ribbon mahogany (one
drawer lamp stand from a FWW article) and am now working on a craftsman
style sofa table.

I look forward to becoming a more active member of the list as well as
participating in Galootaclaus.

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Ken Shepard kens@c...
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