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159928 "John Quinn" <JohnQ@s...> 2006‑05‑01 Bio - John Quinn
Estimable Galoots,

After much lurking, reading and learning, I think it is time that I
saunter up to the Porch.   Dave Leader sent me down this path when he
found my flailing helplessly at rec.woodworking several months ago.  I
will always be grateful – when I visited these archives I took my
‘first step into a larger world.’

I’m 36, married to a wonderful woman and have sired two GITS, ages 3
and 1.  We also have a profoundly lazy basset hound who is my constant
companion in the workroom.  I make a living as a fundraiser for a
regional medical foundation.

I can’t begin to describe my passion for woodworking without first
talking about my dad.  Dad grew up during the Depression in an apartment
off Argyle Street in Chicago.  When he bought his first house he knew
nothing of tools or woodworking.  Still, the house came with an ancient,
8-foot-long workbench in the basement, and that was a start.  Dad was no
craftsman, but he taught me what a household workroom was ‘really’
for – talking to your father.   When I got beat up in first grade, I
discussed the matter with Dad in the workroom (as he pried paint cans
open with a chisel).  When I vacillated over proposing to my wife, Dad
and I hashed it out while taking a hacksaw to some plywood.  This was
bad work, but they were good times.

When I got a house and kids of my own I felt a powerful, paternal urge
to create a workbench.  Luckily, I worked in a public library at the
time. I found a very good book on the topic by Scott Landis.  This led
to reading other books by Toshio Odate, Frid, Krenov and Finck.   I
didn’t have the skill to do what I saw in these books, but they opened
by eyes to woodworking as a craft, even an art.  With two young GITs, I
had no budget for ‘lectrical beasts, so un-tuned, un-sharpened hand
tools from Dad’s workroom did the job.  I built a bench ala Bob Key by
hand, and I was hooked.

I’m not sure I can be called a Galoot because I sure don’t have
much skill yet, but I have had a few moments that stirred my soul and
galvanized my interest in tools without cords.  My favorite moments so
far,
1)	When I sliced my finger open testing a chisel I’d sharpened
myself.
2)	When I restored a type 11 Stanley No. 5 plane.  I bought it
covered in rust for $30.  Now it makes fluffy shavings.
3)	When I made my first dovetail (thanks to Peter Korn).
4)	When I shaved my forearm bare with a blade I’d sharpened
myself.
5)	When I took possession of all Dad’s old tools after he died
last year.
6)	When my three-year-old boy begs to go downstairs and play with
tools.

I still don’t know if I’ll ever ‘build’ anything, but I sure
love playing with tools.  

John Quinn
Rockford, IL

P.S.  SWMBO has commented that after taking up woodworking, her
otherwise scrawny husband has, ah, developed muscles where before there
had been only flab.  She now heartily encourages my hobby.   God bless
the No. 7 Jointer plane.

John J. Quinn
Annual Fund Manager
SwedishAmerican Medical Foundation
Camelot Tower
1415 East State Street, Suite 100
Rockford, IL  61104
Vox. (815) 961-2496
Fax. (815) 961-2497
JohnQ@s...
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