First the personal (boring) stuff: I am 32 years old, married for 5-1/2
years, father of a 11 month old girl and expecting a little galoot in the
fall (sept).  I graduated from the University of Maryland (Go Terps!!) with
a BS and MS in engineering.  I currently work as a mechanical engineer for
a Navy research and development center in Annapolis, MD.  Unfortunately, my
organization will be closing in the next year or so, do to the outcome of
BRAC 95, and relocated to  Philadelphia.  If there is anybody out there
from the Philly area, I'd be interested in hearing about local "galoot
hang-outs" and maybe about places to live, schools, etc.

Now, the woodworking stuff. I have been working with wood for about 3-4
years now, a relative newcomer.  I probably got interested in woodworking
like many other people.  Watching Father Norm and looking at over-priced,
particle board furniture and thinking to yourself, "I can do better than
that!"  So I filled my workshop with all of those wonderful p*wer tools
that Norm had: t*bles*w, r*uter, b*nds*w, dr*ll pr*ss; you get the picture.
About two years ago I came into posession of about 150 bdft of air dried
(~2 yrs) cherry.  I needed a way to surface the cherry, so of course: p*wer
jointer and p*wer thickness planer.  After looking into purchasing these
machines, I realized I'd have to shell out almost $1,000 (low end) to
surface my rough sawn wood that I purchase this way because it ws cheaper
than S4S.  Then, I saw the light - handtools!!!  I contacted our beloved
MoA about purchasing the necessary tools.  He cautioned me that prepping
stock by hand was a chore, but certainly worth a try.  So I tempered my
enthusiasm a bit and decided to do all my jointing tasks (edge and surface)
by hand, but decided that it may be better to do my thicknessing by the
power of el*ctr*city.  So I picked up a #5 (and a block plane) from Mr
Leach and a the planer from HD.  Well once I learned to properly sharpen me
planes I can't stop planing.  I plane everything I get my hands on!!  I
find myself going into my shop just to make shavings!!!  Of course you have
to stop and take time to touch, smell and taste the shavings
(walnut-yuck!).  Any way, since then I have restored a #603 I inherited
from my father and am in the process of restoring a Fulton #4 I inherited
from my father-in-law.  Although I don't think I will ever give up my
t*able s*w or my thickness pl*ner, I am looking to replace my router with a
variety of planes.  (My daughter does not like to be lulled to sleep by the
scream of the router!!!)  I am also looking to pick-up a shoulder plane(s),
rabbet (#78 or #79 ?) and a #7 or #8.  The recent talks about saws, saw
set, etc. has peaked my interest, and I'm thinking about getting a few
saws, so who knows, maybe I will have a D*lta CS for sale.

Anyway, I'm thankful I've found this group to fuel my newly found interest
in vintage woodworking tools and traditional woodworking methods.

I see alot of galoots from the west coast, the mid-west and NE, but how
about any from the mid-atlantic?

Also, I have a question about workbench bases.  I've always assumed that
they would be constructed out of 4x4 stock.  But I have been seeing many
designs which laminates 4/4 stock to build up the thickness.  I have never
seen a discussion regarding the pros/cons of 4x4 vs laminated bases.
Anyone have any insights they can give me?

Thanks.

Joe Dolinar