Joe Palazzolo wrote:
"....  Dave, meet Wes Groot and Russ Allen - just two of the many cool 
Chicago-based Galoots that I've had the pleasure of meeting in my time 
here on the
 porch.  Maybe we can all get together sometime at a central location 
for a beer and some pool.
Like perhaps Charlotte, MI, or Fort Wayne, IN?
Dave, let's have that bio, eh?"

Wes, Russ, nice to meet ya.  Sorry for the late reply with a bio. (as I 
step up onto the porch).

Anyway, here's my story...  I'm an E/E Engineer working on new truck 
development at DaimlerChrysler. I previously worked in defense 
electronics and also in industrial control electronics.  I live in 
Dearborn (MI), the area I grew up in.  I believe my interest in tools 
was developed at any early age (6?) when I used to watch and help my Dad 
with his watch and clock repair business. As a youngster, I was the 
local "expert" (free labor) on bike & small engine repair.  I 
repaired/rebuilt several cars as a teenager (I already had a complete 
tool set).  In college, I worked at a local mall as an 
engraver/polisher/"go-for" and goldsmith's/jeweler's apprentise (... 
more tools!).  Needless to say, I have collected many, and a wide 
variety of tools.  Very few of my tools are kept as "eye candy" though.  
Bascially, I like to think I can repair and make just about anything.  I 
have been "led astray" by other activites (SCUBA, skiing, biking, 
backpacking, etc), all of which I enjoy.  Yes, those nasty little 
"Garage Sale - Tools" signs (large sucking sound) can also sidetrack me, 
but at least I have a nice Atlas metal lath (w/all the fixins) to show 
for it (the only tailed device I'll admit to having).

By now, you can understand that I have been the "hunter/gatherer" type 
of tool person.  I now hope to evolve into a more "agrarian" type of 
tool user.  This is where this group can help me (?).  I have a descent 
set of tools (#45, 113, 7, 5, old saws, chisels, scrapers, shaves, - 
Stanley, Millers Falls, etc).
A few gloats of mine include:  1) an older C-S Co. folding rule, I found 
as a kid while supporting the "curbside recycling" effort before it was 
popular (minor aesthetic value only),  2) "One set 32 1/2 Quarters" of 
of Irwin auger bits in original box (Patented Oct. 21, 1884 and ???????? 
April 19, '87) with an "Ames Swan Co" bit (who?) for $15, and more 
recently,  3) a Millers Falls No. 200 Mitre Box (w/o saw) for $3.  I 
forgot all of the other gloats, but no one really wants to hear about 
'em.  (I'm talking too much, I need a sip of tea, thanks.)

Joe Palazzolo found a treasure of mine, unknown to me, when he visited 
me for a M-WTCA meet here in Dearborn.  He looked in my toolbox (I 
thought I heard him mummble "dumbsh__"), then he said "Hey, you have a 
Stanley No 1 ODD-JOBS, with original ruler, in there".  I learned 
quickly why he mummbled, and out of the toolbox it came.  It was a 
casual gift from my Grandfather, and all the more priceless.

Currently, I am trying to find some info about a few marking gauges.  I 
know I have not really completed a good thorough search.  These gauges 
are not labled, which is part of the problem.  Uhm, yup, you'll probably 
see an Email or two from me, about these in the future.
I am also in a self-imposed state of apprenticeship, to ensure I can 
sharpen all of my tools in a quick and quality way.  I always hated dull 
tools.  Therefore, I don't have a good knowledge of wood (... 
suspicious, concerned look from others on the porch).

Needless to say, it is very humbling to know that a very 
knowledgeable/experienced, and hilarious group of folks are willing to 
dispense the same (knowledge/experience) and in a similar fashion. Thanks!

Dave Swanson
"woodnitbnice", GIT

Joe P., I do plan to make it to a Galootapalooza this year (2003).  I'm 
changing my ways, or should I say I can't help it (#&*%&#&^ slippery 
slope).

Dave Swanson wrote:
	[snip most of interesting bio.]
 2) "One set 32 1/2 Quarters" of
>of Irwin auger bits in original box (Patented Oct. 21, 1884 and ????????
>April 19, '87) with an "Ames Swan Co" bit (who?) for $15

Dear Mr. SWANson:
	This last just about has to be "James Swan," I think.  The James
Swan Co was best known for chisels and drawknives, but they made auger bits
as well.  It would be a pretty strange coincidence if there was also an
Ames Swan Co. that made similar tools.  Then again, people often confuse
C.E. Jennings with Russell Jennings, and AKAIK there was no connection.  So
if there *was* an Ames Swan out there, I'm sure I'll hear about it after
this ;-)
	Welcome to the porch.
		Tom Holloway

Welcome Dave! 

Nice to see another backpacker on the list. Nothing like throwing 
a couple number 3s (Jacks, Jeffs) in the backpack and hiking around as a
trip warmup.

Curt, Central Illinois

-----Original Message-----
From: Dave Swanson [mailto:daveswanson@t...]
Sent: Saturday, December 14, 2002 8:50 AM
To: oldtools
Subject: [oldtools] My Bio, kind of long

Joe Palazzolo wrote:
"....  Dave, meet Wes Groot and Russ Allen - just two of the many cool 
Chicago-based Galoots that I've had the pleasure of meeting in my time 
here on the
 porch.  Maybe we can all get together sometime at a central location 
for a beer and some pool.
Like perhaps Charlotte, MI, or Fort Wayne, IN?
Dave, let's have that bio, eh?"

Wes, Russ, nice to meet ya.  Sorry for the late reply with a bio. (as I 
step up onto the porch).

Anyway, here's my story...  I'm an E/E Engineer working on new truck 
development at DaimlerChrysler. I previously worked in defense 
electronics and also in industrial control electronics.  I live in 
Dearborn (MI), the area I grew up in.  I believe my interest in tools 
was developed at any early age (6?) when I used to watch and help my Dad 
with his watch and clock repair business. As a youngster, I was the 
local "expert" (free labor) on bike & small engine repair.  I 
repaired/rebuilt several cars as a teenager (I already had a complete 
tool set).  In college, I worked at a local mall as an 
engraver/polisher/"go-for" and goldsmith's/jeweler's apprentise (... 
more tools!).  Needless to say, I have collected many, and a wide 
variety of tools.  Very few of my tools are kept as "eye candy" though.  
Bascially, I like to think I can repair and make just about anything.  I 
have been "led astray" by other activites (SCUBA, skiing, biking, 
backpacking, etc), all of which I enjoy.  Yes, those nasty little 
"Garage Sale - Tools" signs (large sucking sound) can also sidetrack me, 
but at least I have a nice Atlas metal lath (w/all the fixins) to show 
for it (the only tailed device I'll admit to having).

By now, you can understand that I have been the "hunter/gatherer" type 
of tool person.  I now hope to evolve into a more "agrarian" type of 
tool user.  This is where this group can help me (?).  I have a descent 
set of tools (#45, 113, 7, 5, old saws, chisels, scrapers, shaves, - 
Stanley, Millers Falls, etc).
A few gloats of mine include:  1) an older C-S Co. folding rule, I found 
as a kid while supporting the "curbside recycling" effort before it was 
popular (minor aesthetic value only),  2) "One set 32 1/2 Quarters" of 
of Irwin auger bits in original box (Patented Oct. 21, 1884 and ???????? 
April 19, '87) with an "Ames Swan Co" bit (who?) for $15, and more 
recently,  3) a Millers Falls No. 200 Mitre Box (w/o saw) for $3.  I 
forgot all of the other gloats, but no one really wants to hear about 
'em.  (I'm talking too much, I need a sip of tea, thanks.)

Joe Palazzolo found a treasure of mine, unknown to me, when he visited 
me for a M-WTCA meet here in Dearborn.  He looked in my toolbox (I 
thought I heard him mummble "dumbsh__"), then he said "Hey, you have a 
Stanley No 1 ODD-JOBS, with original ruler, in there".  I learned 
quickly why he mummbled, and out of the toolbox it came.  It was a 
casual gift from my Grandfather, and all the more priceless.

Currently, I am trying to find some info about a few marking gauges.  I 
know I have not really completed a good thorough search.  These gauges 
are not labled, which is part of the problem.  Uhm, yup, you'll probably 
see an Email or two from me, about these in the future.
I am also in a self-imposed state of apprenticeship, to ensure I can 
sharpen all of my tools in a quick and quality way.  I always hated dull 
tools.  Therefore, I don't have a good knowledge of wood (... 
suspicious, concerned look from others on the porch).

Needless to say, it is very humbling to know that a very 
knowledgeable/experienced, and hilarious group of folks are willing to 
dispense the same (knowledge/experience) and in a similar fashion. Thanks!

Dave Swanson
"woodnitbnice", GIT

Joe P., I do plan to make it to a Galootapalooza this year (2003).  I'm 
changing my ways, or should I say I can't help it (#&*%&#&^ slippery 
slope).

Dave comes into the light:
>Anyway, here's my story...

Here is a web page with a pic of Dave's Granddad's OddJobs (and even a pic
or two of Dave .. no, not that one, that's his cat.):
http://www.geocities.com/jmpalazz/galoot/aww-show.html

Anyway, welcome aboard, Dave!

Joe Palazzolo
Yeehaw, Indiana

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On 16 Dec 2002 at 16:20, Flowers, Curt wrote:

> Nice to see another backpacker on the list. Nothing like throwing a
> couple number 3s (Jacks, Jeffs) in the backpack and hiking around as a
> trip warmup.

Ummm.....

Curt, 

Last time I checked # 3's were smoothers.

# 5's are Jacks.

Don't want to confuse Jeff :-))

-- 
Bryan Carbonnell - carbonnb@s...
Welcome to Hell. Here's your copy of Windows.