Since I started posting a couple of weeks ago without introducing myself,
I thought I better get on it.
       I am 35, and have lived in western Washington state my whole life.
I started in my parents construction business at 16, before then I worked
summers on my grandads farm in eastern Wa. I started as a laborer, then
carpenter, carpenter foreman, and for the last 10 years superintendant. I
got interested in woodwork through my finish carpentry stint, and because
for three years I lived on a sailboat and anything that I wanted for the
interior of my boat I had to make from scratch. The handtool thing started
because there was no room for bulky power equip. on a 27' boat! Also I
have always had access to the modern stuff through the company.
        My wife and I bought 20 acres of trees and stumps 6 years ago
about 40 miles S.E. of seattle, near the sleepy little town of Cumberland
(pop. about 300). We spent 5 years clearing part of it, fencing and
putting in pasture, and then building a barn and finally our home. We got
out of our mobile home last summer. Doing it all ourselves was taking too
long so we hired a big chunk of the house out. I kept most of the trim
work though, including the stair rails and balusters which my Dad and I
designed, made and installed.
       Our 2 year old son is another big reason we ran out of patience
with the mobile and called out the troops on the house. Now I get the fun
part, building furniture and doing a little fancy trim work inside. Gives
me another excuse to buy more tools!
      I buy a lot of old junk tools out of the rust bin, or in boxes at
garage sales etc. Basic bottom feeder I guess. I got my favorite smoother
that way though, a WW II era #4 with red stained wood and an extra heavy
body. Without a blade it was 15 bucks, the lady had 2 Irons in the $1 bin,
gave her the 15 and she threw in both irons. This brings up my WTB, an
adjuster nut and handle for my $2 #12 1/2 scaper, and a depth stop for my
$3.50 #190 rabbet plane. At least I think #190's had a depth stop, better
go check B&G.
       One more thing - any of you guys notice a difference in feel in WW
II era planes? Maybe it's my imagination, but I think the extra weight
make a real difference. Once I got it tuned and a heavier iron in it mine
instantly became my favorite, cheapo red stained generic wood and all.
                                                                    Kevin
Clements
                                                                    King
of the Junk Bin

Cumberland Wa.