Heylo Galoots,

Been lurkin' for a couple months now.  During that time, didn't think my =
bio was worthy enough (Oh, Esteemed Galoots) since I hadn't actually used =
an Oldtool.  However, all has changed (spittang)!  I've since purchased =
metal over the internet (from MofA, wouldn't ya know), scary =
sharpened(tm) my chisels and irons, and made gossamer thin shavings (hang =
time unknown) from mahogany.  The mahogany will eventually be a carved =
box, but I bought it rough sawn and used my #6C (early Type which eludes =
me now) to smooth the edges.  I started to cut dovetails with my dozuki =
last night, and the first attempt was botched by removing the tails =
instead of pins... newbie of the highest order.

During the week, I play in a cell biology lab at duke university (the =
students are so paranoid) where I'm a postdoc.  Postdocs are a right of =
passage for people in the sciences and function as time trials for a =
career... many trials and tribulations.

Like many a budding woodie, I dreamt of 10" tilting arbor Delta t**** =
s**s, massive Porter Cable routahs, and joinery with clearances in the =
thousandths of inches.  This was, of course, encouraged by watching His =
Normness on the boob.  I got around to pricing such beasts and my dream =
dropped as fast as a scary sharpened blade heading toward my bare big =
toe!  Thankfully, I found yous Galoots (beer anyone?).

My metal and wood holdings includes: #7 (2), #6C, #5, #4, #3C, #80, #78, =
#220, MF smoother, set of 4 marples blue chips ($16 at Home Depot), =
Stanley 923 brace, set of Jennings bits, dozuki, Disston rip and x-cut, =
panel saw, marking gauges, and assorted other goodies.  Most of the stuff =
I hunted down at flea markets and auctions, but a few of the saws and =
planes came from both of my grandfathers.

Oh yeah, I called 10 speed press about 1:10PM today (thursday) and =
believe I got the last copy of The Complete Woodworker.  Sorry 'bout =
that.

kam

BTW: If any of you pass through the Durham area, I know of a couple of =
antique dealers who specialize in Oldtools.  One of them has a couple of =
#2's for sale (priced around $150-200) as well as some other goodies too =
numerous to mention.