Welcome aboard, John. Don't worry about being able to contribute. We  
really need a research chemist on this list. We are forever hashing out  
chemical stuff that few of us actually understand. Me in particular.  
:>)

On Dec 12, 2005, at 11:41 AM, John Guarino wrote:

> I am a Professor of Management by day and often by night. I was a  
> research
> chemist until turning to the business world.
>
> To start, I thank the members for the free education I have had while
> lurking on this mailing list. I use all hand tools, user quality  
> except for
> a few really fine tools (fine chisels, saws, and wheel marking gauge).  
> Via
> lurking, I have learned, re-learned, and extended the capabilities of  
> the
> tools. Also I have been able to acquire a complete set of tools at  
> bargain
> prices -- no qualms about fettling a $25 smoother to fine work, or  
> rehabbing
> a $10 flea market saw. That's a few thousands saved.
>
> I picked out fine woodworking as a pursuit rather than the other  
> skills a
> homeowner needs such as electrical work or plumbing. I live on the
> NC-Virginia border, lot of furniture making in this area. My  
> woodworking aim
> is to master fine furniture using hand tools. The ultimate would be to
> furnish our home with my own work. That'll be awhile....
>
> The reality: in the past year I have cooked up some outdoor tool  
> storage,
> done deck repair (no fine tools there), and made bookshelves (painted
> poplar), display shelf (painted poplar), plane tills, wall cabinet for  
> tools
> (pegboard and pine), and then some items that required craft -- a  
> workbench,
> an oak toy chest, and a mahogany shoe polishing box (at last some  
> really
> fine work). A mahogany bookshelf is in progress.
>
> All this is a pleasure and great exercise, both physical and mental. I  
> hope
> I can contribute something of value in time.
>
>
> John M. Guarino
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 
> -
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> aficionados, both collectors and users, to discuss the history, usage,
> value, location, availability, collectibility, and restoration of
> traditional handtools, especially woodworking tools.
>
> To read the FAQ:
> http://www.frontier.iarc.uaf.edu/~cswingle/archive/faq.html
>
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>
>
Jim Thompson, the old millrat in Riverside, CA.

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