Hi from a long time lurker:

My first memory of tools was aged 4, being sent to my room in the basement for a
nap. I discovered this neat strip of black metal with a rough edge and when
rubbed on the edge of my plywood bed frame made a satisfying noise. Ten minutes
later, a loud crash and me crying brought my parents running. I had sawed
through my bed. My parents had very confused expressions - angry, amused and
proud - not necessarily in that order.

Later my dad, who grew up on a farm, did a lot of work finishing our house. I
was free labor, so I learned the basics of tools - mostly hand. One tool that
always interested me was a dull Stanley #3, plane belonging to my grandfather.

As a young adult, I acquired a 33 foot sailboat, way beyond my skill level and
equipment level, but I acquired tools and learned some stuff.

Fast forward again and during a lull in white collar work, my wife and I started
a "business" making safe accessories for exotic,  high-end parrots and their
high-end owners. Lots of design fun and acquisition of basic power tools and
specialized stuff from Lee Valley.

Around the same time, I bought a half finished,  laminated wood mast for a DN
iceboat. It had to be taken from octagonal to airfoil shape. Borrowed a sharp
Record #5 and set to planing. It was Zen and I was hooked on hand tools.

The slope was slippery and steep. 

Planes appeared on my doorstep, almost without my conscious intervention - along
with saws, squares and braces. Now, the addiction seems over, but the detritus
remains.

The Galoots have been my confreres, mentors and friends. 

So here is something that keeps me awake at night:
Where did old wood tool owners get their name stamps? I priced them  from
several sources and it looked like $200. Any ideas?



Sent from my iPad
Ralph Booth
ralph@a...
514 952-4179
"Having a yacht is reason for being more cheerful than most." -Kurt Vonnegut