Hello everyone,
I just found and joined this list last week, and I thought since I plan
to be around a while, I ought to introduce myself.
I'm Eric, 38, a relatively new woodworker - just picked up the hobby a
couple years ago while living in Malaysia. I built a bench, which took
me forever, and mounted a plain ol' shop vise on it (who knew that there
were woodworking vises?). I then made a bed for my son and a picture
frame, and that was about it.
We've been in the States for about a year, and are returning to Malaysia
in September. While here, I took a hand tool basics and sharpening class
at Woodcraft, and my eyes were opened to the beauty of hand tools. I
just had no idea. The plane I bought in Malaysia that I thought was
utter junk was probably fine, if I had only sharpened it! I also learned
about the magical cabinet scraper. Wow.
I got an additional boost to my hand tool enthusiasm when my dad
revealed that my great-grandfather (who came to the States in 1913) was
a carpenter, and that I was welcome to any of his old tools that were in
my dad's shop. So now I'm the proud owner of Rudolf's old Millers Falls
brace, a North Bros. ratchet screwdriver, and a Victor jack plane, among
other things.
The only downside to being a galoot, that I can see, is the addiction I
now have to eBay. I suppose that once I round out my basic starter set
of hand tools, I'll calm down. But I'm spending way too much time right
now looking online for stuff that I *could* buy cheaper at a store, but
don't because I want the (usually) better-quality old stuff.
So anyway, that's me and my journey in a nutshell. I'll post updates
(and pics) as I progress as a galoot. See ya around!
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