Warning: If you shudder at the mention of Norm A. please move on to
the next post. If not, read on...

    July Esquire Magazine. Page 133. Please don't shoot me, I didn't
write the article.
Headline:

    "The Most Famous Carpenter of All Time, Excepting Jesus"

Opening Paragraph:

    "The funny thing about Norm Abram is that by the time he finishes
work on an old house, it's no longer an old house. This is because when
Norm shows up to poke around your twenty-seven room Victorian, he does,
in fact, poke --- with pocketknives and crowbars and whatever sharp
implement might be at hand. And as he pokes, he repeats a certain word
almost triumphantly, the way most people say, Aha! "Look at this", Norm
will say gravely. "Rot!" And it is then that the talents of master
carpenter Norm (the most famous carpenter of all time, excepting Jesus)
are brought to bear. To wit: He tears the whole damn thing down and
rebuilds it from the ground up. And when you've rebuilt as many
twenty-seven-room Victorians as Norm has, when you've guided repairs on
This Old House, genially hosted The New Yankee Workshop, and written
seven books on the right ways to put wood together, you pick up a few
things. Some of which Norm would like to pass on to you here. Because
there's only so much rot one man can deal with.  --Jim Adams

The story then goes on to tell you what Norm considers the
"Everyman Toolbox". Including:
1. Tool Bucket with Liner. (Not too fancy, to Norm's credit.)
2. Cordless drill. (A Galoot would obviously use a brace.)
3. Four screwdrivers.
4. Combination and speed squares.
5. Hammer.
6. Handsaw. (the saw in the accompanying photo is an abomination.)
7. Three Nail Sets.
8. Pliers Vice Grips and Wrenches.
9. Flat Bar and Putty Knife.
10. Two-foot level.
11. Utility Knife.
12. Safety Glasses.
13. Odds and ends. Including: Twenty-foot tape measure, electrical tape
and wire nuts, teflon tape , a compass and a chalk line.

    All in all, I'd say it's a pretty Galootinous list for such a great
Power-Tool Salesman. I'm suprised and disappointed that he left out his
block plane. In the article he gives a brief description of why each
tool is on the list and embellishes the choice. He does mention a laser
level , but says it's pretty pricey and probably wouldn't pay for itself
too easily. (He *IS* a Yankee after all.) He also recommends buying name
brand professional tools and staying away from the bargain bin.

    Kind of skimpy in content, but I couldn't resist posting this to
list! The photo of Norm is of him walking on water in bare feet and
flannel, carrying  his two-foot level!!

Cheers!
Wes