Galoots,
I've been lurking and infrequently active on the list but realized I
have never submitted a BIO.
My name is John Davis. I've been Woodworking since I was 7 when my Dad
let me use his B&D drill to bore some holes. Sorry that he didnt have a
Brace back then because I've been using *l*tr*c*l tools until the last
year or so. That was a memorable day for me. My Aunt lived with us and
she was shocked that he let me use the drill. She knew I was going to
kill myself by electrocution or tail strangulation and let my Dad know
it. Well I spitefully became an electrical engineer and owner of more
than a few p*w*r tools. Thankfully, I still have all my fingers despite
a few trips to emergency rooms, dang bansaws.
Well last year I stumbled upon a Type 7 #45 in labeled box, with
catalog, cam note, and screwdriver (I think its original?), and I was
hooked. According to the catalog, It sold for $8 new and I didn't pay
much more than that, 90 years later.
I then went to a flea market and unknowingly stumbled upon a #1. I
advised SWMBO that I had to have this cute plane until the owner said it
was a "#1" and she was asking $1000. I carefully returned it to its
place in the shade but continued to look for a $5 version while trying
to revive SWMBO. So I'm a newbie that has experienced the highs and lows
of using and buying oldtools.
Besides the 45, I found a gloatable (gallootable?) Type 1 #12 with
chamfered corner blade albeit too short to risk using, a fine 112 and a
good A5. For users, I've added a couple dozen woodies and carving
chisels courtesy of PATINA, an S&J No14 dovetail Saw, rip sharpened by
Tom Law, an Emmert Turtleback, and the oddest of woodie routers- I'd
like to get a picture on the WEB for expert opinions on it's origin.
It's either a transitional 71 or an old beautiful homemade router using
a centerpiece of a 71.
As much fun as fishing for oldtools has been, my true love, after SWMBO,
is building furniture. I'm a longstanding member of the Washington (DC)
Woodworker's Guild, currently in a project class sponsored by WWG,
building a Newport Secretary. The instructor taught us to carve and
scrape anything that isn't flat. I hand planed a 24" x 16' mahogany
plank with a #7 and scraped it with a L-N 164. So I think I'm way down
the slippery slope and enjoying the slide! Dang, Maybe my Aunt was right
all along.
(P.S. If you're in the Wash DC area contact me to join the guild-
Galoots, Normites, and Newbies are all welcome)
Enough about me, back to the digest.
John Davis, jdd1010@e...
"Nawthern Vajinya"
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