OldTools Archive

Recent Bios FAQ

218098 Jonathan Hammer <hammej1@g...> 2011‑06‑20 Bio Update
I=92m Jon Hammer, currently in Rochester, MN.

I discovered hand tools when I was building a cedar-strip canoe in high
school woodshop back in 2000 (graduated in =9201). The first plane I
ever used was a vintage 60 =BD that my shop instructor provided to me
with from his own personal cache. I used the plane to fit 67 strips
together over compound curves. It worked great. Other people suggested
that I use a router with a cove/bead setup. That would have wasted =BC
of my materials and been prohibitively expensive. I wish more people
realize that there are other ways of doing thing besides how Norm works.

I=92m actively accumulating user tools that are of excellent quality,
mostly from before 1950 or so. I prefer what I perceive as =91value=92
in tools, as opposed to buying a new tool that can only depreciate, I
think that a hundred-year old jointer in great shape is always going to
be something that will hold its value, provided that I am a good
steward. I see myself as a caretaker of tools, helping them survive for
future generations to discover.

I=92ve started teaching myself to sharpen handsaws. I=92ve found this to
be enjoyable, if not occasionally frustrating. My first crosscut session
resulted in what I believe are called =91cows and calves=92 or something
to that effect. I ended up having the teeth re-punched=85 I've become
much better since, not perfect - but better than my local saw shop can
do (or does).

I have some tools I don=92t understand, a couple of whatsits and a pile
of technical questions that I think will benefit the group. I=92ll start
sharing those soon.

I joined the MWTCA in January of 2011.

If anyone in the Rochester area has any tool-related events going on, or
would like to get a cup of coffee =96 shoot me an email.

Jon Hammer
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Recent Bios FAQ