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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Welcome to the porch Eric!

On Jul 8, 2007, at 9:33 PM, Eric Seidlitz wrote:

> 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.
>

------ snip, snip, snip

> 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.

Get thee immediately to a national or regional MWTCA meet.  Piles and  
Piles of user tools at extremely reasonable prices.  Check the  
archives for messages with MWTCA in the subject and be prepared for  
tool overload.

I don't think I saw exactly where you are located.  I'm sure some  
local galoots can point you to sources of tools.

--Scott

-------------------------------------------------
Scott Stager
Columbia Missouri

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Eric introduces himself, and says (among other things): 

> 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...
> 
> 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.

You really *do* have a lot to learn.  :^)  You'll see the words
"slippery slope" here a lot, but it's really more like an icy
precipice.  You'll also find that "starter set" is an infinitely
movable target.

Welcome to the group.

Chuck Myers, still working on a starter set after  years.

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On Jul 8, 2007, at 10:38 PM, Scott Stager wrote:

    Get thee immediately to a national or regional MWTCA meet. Piles and
    Piles of user tools at extremely reasonable prices. Check the
    archives for messages with MWTCA in the subject and be prepared for
    tool overload.

    I don't think I saw exactly where you are located. I'm sure some
    local galoots can point you to sources of tools.

    --Scott

Darn, none of the MWTCA regional meets work for me, schedule-wise. But I
found some good info on other local groups - thanks!

As to my location, I'm in Dallas, TX from now until mid-August, and then
I'll be in Richmond, VA until my mid-September departure for Malaysia.

--Eric

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