> Does this statement offer a high-level test of the single minded
> galoot?
> Is the real, no-turning back stage when, having acquired many
> hand tools, you start to SELL your p*w*r tools?
>
> Anyone claim to qualify?

Hell, yeah.  I gave away most of my wood working power tools, glad to see
them go.  The only exception was a big drill motor, and it seems to be
lost now.  (Speaking of drills; a digression.  I have a square shank
Phillips bit, but I don't use it; the breast drills and egg beaters are
much better for cordless screw drivers IMO.  I recently put up some steel
roofing panels with a breast drill and a hex drive bit;  200 self tapping
screws in a matter of about three hours.  No problem.)

A recent project gloat I considered posting is a frame and panel cabinet
for an old 10" band saw that I restored for my son.  I thought I was
gonna go to the dark side for that project, since the tool was actually
sitting there in the way, plugged in and ready to go.  But I couldn't
bring myself to do it.  It turned out to be a 100% galootie project, a
hand made power tool.  It was in my shop for a couple of weeks between
completion and disposal, and I did find myself going out there sometimes
in the evening to cut out a toothpick.  And there is a stack of trial rip
cuts lying on the floor; 100 feet of 1 by 2 oak that might make some
chairs one-a these days.  But the saw is gone now, and good riddance, I
say.

Oddly enough, I seem to be coming out the other side.  Since I have
started smithing and making tools, I'm starting to consider using
diabolic assistance for metal working.  To make hand tools for wood
working.  Ironic, Huh?

Phil Koontz
Back to whittling my toothpicks in Kansas