OldTools Archive

Recent Bios FAQ

-78 "Brendler, Ralph" <ralph@s...> 1970‑01‑01 Bio for Ralph Brendler...
Woodworking-wise:

I've been doing hand woodworking for a lot of years, mostly
learned from watching my Father.  He had the full power tool
shop, but still made sure I learned how to use all of the hand
tools.  Thanks Pop! 

I've got a nice working set of user tools, not too large by
collector standards, but plenty for most of the work I do.  It
consists of 70+- wooden planes, ~10 metal planes (including a YB
plane), and the usual assortment of saws, drills, chisels, layout
stuff and so forth. 

My primary interests are in the cabinetmaking area, but I've
dabbled in lots of other stuff.  I'm particularly fond of
geometric marquetry and hammer veneering, and am always looking
for excuses to add ornamentation to my pieces. 


Collecting-wise:

After many years considering myself only a user and scoffing at
"those crazy collectors", I have finally developed a collecting
addiction: marking gages.  I don't know what it is, but I just
can't get enough of these things.  I lost count of how many I
have when I hit 30, and a couple more seem to find their way to
my house every month... 


Personal-wise:

I'm in my mid 30's, originally from Green Village NJ, and a proud
graduate of the University of Michigan (Go Blue!) College of
Engineering. I live in Mokena Illinois, a tiny little town about
35 miles southwest of Chicago, with my wife Carol and son
Nikolai. 

I work as a software engineer for SPSS, Inc. in Chicago's Loop
(30th floor office, complete with cool view of the city and
lake), writing computer software used for statistical analysis. 

When not making shavings or hunting for rusty iron, my primary
interests are the Chicago Cubs (hey, any team can have a bad
century), and 19th century Russian/Slavic literature. 





Recent Bios FAQ