Esteemed Galoots,

I've followed this group with regularity for an embarrassing number of
years. Each time I've considered listing a bio and contributing a
comment on a topic I'm always rescued by a submission that covers the
matter. I'm continually amazed by the breadth and depth of ready
knowledge here.

Alas, I spend my days working in with tailed demons, kindly put, on
"engineered materials". As a craftsman I've not had a proper
apprenticeship, though circumstances have proved the value of the
training I gained from my father. Importantly an old world respect for
the care of the tools that help you make a living. Something of a
passion for excellence in the things you craft should be mentioned. It's
a curse. I can never appreciate work as it's delivered, I know where the
"warts" are!

About a decade ago my father invited me to add to tools he'd provided in
my youth. Among these was a plane my grandfather had similarly passed
along. It is a type 11 number 6c Stanley plane. I determined to acquire
the other numbers of this type. With the exception of nos. 1 and 2 and
with the help of that unnameable auction site the quest is long over.

I determined to create a wall tool cabinet from plans in a 1930's
Carborundum handbook on tool sharpening. That remains a continuing
project/vexation. I was able to exercise hand tools to resurface old
pine shelving to frame the project. It has some properties of the old
wooden elephant puzzle in pursuit of housing all tools known to man.

Another work in progress in recent years has been to create a workbench
on a trestle base using scrap LVL's (laminated veneer lumber, Jeff). The
top is 3 1/2 in rippings glued up to create a vertical laminate top 2
plus feet wide. Inspired by a Herman Miller drafting table, It'll be
serviceable if a little soft.

I joined Rockey Mountain Tool Collectors a couple years ago and I can
concur with those who encourage membership in all similar groups.
Offsetting the dearth of decent tools in local markets, the fact is
many older or, regrettably, deceased collectors are putting special
finds back into circulation. In the end we're but stewards of these
bits of history.

I've said often my job has ruined a good hobby. Truly I make little
headway with these projects using actual wood and hand tools when work
has taken its toll. I should quickly add I'm grateful for an analogue
job in this digital millennium.

I'm heartened by the interest shown by many younger members here. A
world of remarkable skill and knowledge has been lost through disuse and
disinterest. Hopefully I can add a drop to the store this group creates,
and repay the lessons I've learned here.

Dick Stresemann

      _________________________________________________________________-
      ___________________
Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try
it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ
------------------------------------------------------------------------