On Sep 5, 2007, at 2:14 PM, tom crowley wrote:

I have been lurking in the wings for quite sometime now .Thought it  
might be time to introduce myself
For 33 yrs I taught high school science, mainly chemistry .I ended my  
teaching career in 2003 to pursue other interests.I have worked as a  
carpenter longer than I taught school .I have built houses for myself  
and for 3 of my children .I'm a full time builder now!
That's where the old tools come in.I still have many of the tools I  
started with back in the 60's .Over the years I have acquired quite a  
few tools old and new. As they wore out or dulled  they ended up in  
my shop in boxes or hanging on the wall.I started searching the  
internet on how I could bring these old tools back to life .Much to  
my surprise I found a whole new world out there .I not only started  
restoring my tools but found myself rummaging through friends and  
relatives basements for tools I didn't have . Then I discovered the  
unspeakable ,the bay..  So many tools and not enough time
I am presently restoring a house built in the1780's. I'm residing it  
and trying to get all the windows operational .I don't want to bore  
anyone with how many coat of paint I have removed but some of the  
window trim was beyond repair.I told the owner that I was going to  
have to replace some of the wood around the windows .She asked if I  
would be able to reproduce the trim .I told her not to worry .I went  
home that night and found a molding plane that I have had for years  
Brought it to work the next day and was able with a few passes to put  
the old bead on the new wood .I don't know if I ever will consider  
myself a galoot but I'm working at it every day
                                               Tom Crowley

   Sounds pretty Galootish to me. A little el*ctr*city now and then  
doesn't disqualify you, you know!
------------------------------------------------------------------------

A hand-cranked laser beam, I hope.

>>> tom crowley  9/5/2007 2:47 PM >>>
I'd use a laser beam if it would help me ! Oh wait they do have them
ontools now. ----- Original Message -----From: "Spike"
 To: "tom crowley" 
Cc:  Sent: Wednesday, September 05, 2007 5:36 PM Subject:
    Re: [OldTools] Biography

>
> On Sep 5, 2007, at 2:14 PM, tom crowley wrote:
>
> I have been lurking in the wings for quite sometime now .Thought it
> might> be time to introduce myself For 33 yrs I taught high school
> science, mainly chemistry .I ended my> teaching career in 2003 to
> pursue other interests.I have worked as a> carpenter longer than I
> taught school .I have built houses for myself and> for 3 of my
> children .I'm a full time builder now! That's where the old tools come
> in.I still have many of the tools I> started with back in the 60's
> .Over the years I have acquired quite a few> tools old and new. As
> they wore out or dulled they ended up in my shop> in boxes or hanging
> on the wall.I started searching the internet on how I> could bring
> these old tools back to life .Much to my surprise I found a> whole new
> world out there .I not only started restoring my tools but> found
> myself rummaging through friends and relatives basements for tools> I
> didn't have . Then I discovered the unspeakable ,the bay.. So many>
> tools and not enough time I am presently restoring a house built in
> the1780's. I'm residing it and> trying to get all the windows
> operational .I don't want to bore anyone> with how many coat of paint
> I have removed but some of the window trim> was beyond repair.I told
> the owner that I was going to have to replace> some of the wood around
> the windows .She asked if I would be able to> reproduce the trim .I
> told her not to worry .I went home that night and> found a molding
> plane that I have had for years Brought it to work the> next day and
> was able with a few passes to put the old bead on the new> wood .I
> don't know if I ever will consider myself a galoot but I'm> working at
> it every day Tom Crowley
>
>
>
>
>   Sounds pretty Galootish to me. A little el*ctr*city now and then>
>   doesn't disqualify you, you know!
>
------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have been lurking in the wings for quite sometime now .Thought it might be 
time to introduce myself
For 33 yrs I taught high school science, mainly chemistry .I ended my 
teaching career in 2003 to pursue other interests.I have worked as a 
carpenter longer than I taught school .I have built houses for myself and 
for 3 of my children .I'm a full time builder now!
That's where the old tools come in.I still have many of the tools I started 
with back in the 60's .Over the years I have acquired quite a few tools old 
and new. As they wore out or dulled  they ended up in my shop in boxes or 
hanging on the wall.I started searching the internet on how I could bring 
these old tools back to life .Much to my surprise I found a whole new world 
out there .I not only started restoring my tools but found myself rummaging 
through friends and relatives basements for tools I didn't have . Then I 
discovered the unspeakable ,the bay..  So many tools and not enough time
I am presently restoring a house built in the1780's. I'm residing it and 
trying to get all the windows operational .I don't want to bore anyone with 
how many coat of paint I have removed but some of the window trim was beyond 
repair.I told the owner that I was going to have to replace some of the wood 
around the windows .She asked if I would be able to reproduce the trim .I 
told her not to worry .I went home that night and found a molding plane that 
I have had for years Brought it to work the next day and was able with a few 
passes to put the old bead on the new wood .I don't know if I ever will 
consider myself a galoot but I'm working at it every day
                                               Tom Crowley 

------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'd use a laser beam if it would help me ! Oh wait they do have them on 
tools now.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Spike" 
To: "tom crowley" 
Cc: 
Sent: Wednesday, September 05, 2007 5:36 PM
Subject: Re: [OldTools] Biography

>
> On Sep 5, 2007, at 2:14 PM, tom crowley wrote:
>
> I have been lurking in the wings for quite sometime now .Thought it  might 
> be time to introduce myself
> For 33 yrs I taught high school science, mainly chemistry .I ended my 
> teaching career in 2003 to pursue other interests.I have worked as a 
> carpenter longer than I taught school .I have built houses for myself  and 
> for 3 of my children .I'm a full time builder now!
> That's where the old tools come in.I still have many of the tools I 
> started with back in the 60's .Over the years I have acquired quite a  few 
> tools old and new. As they wore out or dulled  they ended up in  my shop 
> in boxes or hanging on the wall.I started searching the  internet on how I 
> could bring these old tools back to life .Much to  my surprise I found a 
> whole new world out there .I not only started  restoring my tools but 
> found myself rummaging through friends and  relatives basements for tools 
> I didn't have . Then I discovered the  unspeakable ,the bay..  So many 
> tools and not enough time
> I am presently restoring a house built in the1780's. I'm residing it  and 
> trying to get all the windows operational .I don't want to bore  anyone 
> with how many coat of paint I have removed but some of the  window trim 
> was beyond repair.I told the owner that I was going to  have to replace 
> some of the wood around the windows .She asked if I  would be able to 
> reproduce the trim .I told her not to worry .I went  home that night and 
> found a molding plane that I have had for years  Brought it to work the 
> next day and was able with a few passes to put  the old bead on the new 
> wood .I don't know if I ever will consider  myself a galoot but I'm 
> working at it every day
>                                               Tom Crowley
>
>
>
>
>   Sounds pretty Galootish to me. A little el*ctr*city now and then 
> doesn't disqualify you, you know!
> 

------------------------------------------------------------------------

In a message dated 9/5/2007 2:15:05 P.M. Pacific  Daylight Time, 
tdc048@o... writes:
I don't know if I ever will  
consider myself a galoot but I'm working at it every day  

Yup, that's a galoot alright. 
Welcome aboard. 
 
Jim Lemon
Los Angeles

************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at 
http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Great bio
Can't wait to hear what this means??

to establish apprenticeship in an academic environment

I'd like to welcome you too
 Except I don't know your name?
  yours Scott

 
Scott Grandstaff, Box 409, Happy Camp, CA  96039
scottg@s...

Tools <http://users.snowcrest.net/kitty/sgrandstaff/>
Tools <http://oldtoolsshop.com/Galoots/sGrandstaff/>
Kitty's PageWorks <http://users.snowcrest.net/kitty/hpages/>
 

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wow, I feel like I just had a "Come to Jesus" meeting.  As a relative
newcomer to the porch, let me welcome you.

> Good morning, gentlemen...
> I am greatly encouraged by the content of your Old Tools network.  I
> would like to add my name to your roster, and herewith submit the
> following biography for your perusal.  I have more than forty years
> vested at working wood...so, I realize I know nothing...apprenticeship
> is a lifelong pursuit for knowledge and understanding.
> I began as an architectural designer for a third-generation store
> fixture manufacturer, employing union cabinetmakers in a fully modern
> facility of its' day.  The router was an experimental tool, and I was
> there the day they dropped the first bunk of particle board.  The
> carpenters hated the intrusion of these modern technologies, but being
> young, I adapted easily and readily.  Fixtures needed to be glitzy,
> shiny and modern.  Our clients wanted the newest technologies.  Plastic
> laminates only came in a dozen colors or patterns, and had to be clamped
> to the substrate with conventional glue...it was the beginning of an era.
> Being a young pup, the union men would not suffer any transgression in
> the proper design and structure of the fixtures they would build.  I had
> to learn to build correctly on paper first.  We fixtured banks and
> jewelry stores, the movie theaters, the airport, the courthouse, grocery
> stores...and then became involved in a new concept...the shopping
> mall.   But after time, and the stubbornness of the men, I tired of
> listening to their criticisms and picked up the hammer for myself.  Once
> I had bridged the gap between men who used tools and those who do not, I
> burned the bridge without regret.
> There are a lot of ways to work wood.  I have built 12,000 square foot
> houses and commercial buildings to 120,000 square feet.  My kitchens and
> stairways have been on the covers of national magazines.  I have been
> involved in historical preservations.  I hand-carved an eighteen foot
> wide reredos, the high alter wall for a chapel.  I have employed
> hundreds of carpenters and cabinetmakers in shop and field, and have
> found no two men have the same knowledge and understanding of working
> wood.  The material remains infinite as each man must find his own way...
> Yet, regardless of technology, the first principles of working wood...to
> cut, to shape, to fasten...are the same as they have always been.  And,
> today, the finest detail in wood, still, may only be accomplished by
> hand with a single edge of steel.  I am here to discuss the philosophy
> of working wood, because I believe the gap that exists today is not
> between man and tool, but between man and his material.  And, I believe
> the future of working wood is in the past.
> My objective is to establish apprenticeship in an academic
> environment...I am going to talk about that, and I hope that you will
> allow me to pick your collective brains on that subject.  Together, we
> can discover the principles of living trade...by the tools that men have
> used...and the projects they have made.
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> OldTools is a mailing list catering to the interests of hand tool
> aficionados, both collectors and users, to discuss the history, usage,
> value, location, availability, collectibility, and restoration of
> traditional handtools, especially woodworking tools.
>
> To change your subscription options:
> http://ruckus.law.cornell.edu/mailman/listinfo/oldtools
>
> To read the FAQ:
> http://people.iarc.uaf.edu/~cswingle/archive/faq.html
>
> OldTools archive: http://people.iarc.uaf.edu/~cswingle/archive/
>
> OldTools@r...
> http://ruckus.law.cornell.edu/mailman/listinfo/oldtools
>

------------------------------------------------------------------------

What an interesting Bio...so, what's your name?  We can't go around  just 
calling you manworkingwood, too many folks would  respond.

Cheers,
John
 
 
In a message dated 11/20/2007 1:20:56 P.M. Central Standard Time,  
manworkingwood@m... writes:

Good morning, gentlemen...
I am greatly encouraged by the content of  your Old Tools network.  I
would like to add my name to your roster, and  herewith submit the
following biography for your perusal.  I have more  than forty years
vested at working wood...so, I realize I know  nothing...apprenticeship
is a lifelong pursuit for knowledge and  understanding. (much snippage)

John M. Johnston,
"There is a fine line  between hobby and mental illness." Dave Barry
 

************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Love the morris chair. It looks fantastic. I've made a morris loveseat and
really enjoy it.

You can sit in it for hours and read or watch tv or sleep. 

Take your pick or combine any of the three.

Tony

-----Original Message-----
From: oldtools-bounces@r...
[mailto:oldtools-bounces@r...] On Behalf Of
marcus@f...
Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2007 2:50 PM
To: oldtools@r...
Subject: [OldTools] Biography

Since everyone else is doing it I might as well too.

I've been working wood since I was quite small starting with the
obligatory hammer and nails into dad's workbench.  I've built go-karts,
cheap furniture from 2x4s and plywood, numerous workshop fixtures and a
few, what my wife would call, 'nice things'.  I used to be a, forgive me,
powertool guy, but I've seen the error of my ways, and I only use them now
when it's necessary. My dad did some woodworking when I was a kid but he's
mostly a nail guy, and I don't believe in nails except for framing houses.
 An inestimable influence on my woodworking was Don Meunch.  He was my
shop teacher all through high school and I took every class he taught.  He
was a hell of a guy.  He died a few years ago and I never got the chance
to tell him what an influence he had on me.  I'm living near a few amish
sawmills and buy quartersawn oak really cheaply.  I mostly build arts &
crafts / mission style furniture and work on bits of our 104 year old
farmhouse.  It takes a lot of work to stay ahead of the termites.

I love old handplanes although any tool that was used before the advent of
electrical trickery is pretty awesome.  I don't believe in sanding if at
all possible, dust is the devil.  I make my own beer, play guitar, race
sailboats and mountainbikes, and work in IT (also the devil).  My wife
does some woodcarving and is getting quite good at it.  She stuck a gouge
clear through her thumb last week.  Good thing it was sharp.  :)

Here is a pic of my latest project.  It's approaching completion.

http://www.f-64.org/chair2.jpg

Cheers to all,
Marcus

------------------------------------------------------------------------

hi Marcus, welcome.

btw, what's that table your chair is sitting on? How'd you get the
wooden table top to be all shiney like that? Is that some sort of new-
fangled bench or something?

regards, Peter also in IT and love getting away from technology
when I can

marcus@f... wrote:
> I love old handplanes although any tool that was used before the
> advent of electrical trickery is pretty awesome.Here is a pic of my
> latest project. It's approaching completion.
>
> http://www.f-64.org/chair2.jpg
>
> Cheers to all, Marcus
>

Peter Robinson Brisbane, Australia

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Welcome Rich!

Glad to see another Pennsylvanian on board and also not too far away!  Now
fess up---any secret places near you that produce good tool crops??????

Anthony M. Zaffuto, President
Metaltech, Inc.
3547 Watson Hwy.
DuBois, PA  15801
(814) 375-9399 (office)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Welcome Rich
  A history teacher who actually likes history??  What a rare and 
wonderful thing.

   Whenever I show or demonstrate an old tool to the unbaptized lovers 
of modern,  and if say, I'm peeling off long thick shavings piling up 
fast with the greatest of ease to the astounded gasp of my audience, 
I'll usually add, with something of a partial wink........................
  "You know they weren't so dumb, our ancestors."
 
If you are already backing out and assembling barrel staves,  and long 
boring pump logs, you're a majorly accomplished Galoot!  We'll be 
picking --your-- brain directly.
    yours, Scott

-- 
******************************* 
   Scott Grandstaff
   Box 409 Happy Camp, Ca  96039
   scottg@s...
   http://www.snowcrest.net/kitty/sgrandstaff/
   http://www.snowcrest.net/kitty/hpages/index.html

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Indeed... Welcome!  Come teach us!

Mack

rtnorn wrote:
> Esteemed Galoots,
> 
>
> Regards,
> Rich Nornhold
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> OldTools is a mailing list catering to the interests of hand tool
> aficionados, both collectors and users, to discuss the history, usage,
> value, location, availability, collectibility, and restoration of
> traditional handtools, especially woodworking tools.
>
> To change your subscription options:
> http://ruckus.law.cornell.edu/mailman/listinfo/oldtools
>
> To read the FAQ:
> http://people.iarc.uaf.edu/~cswingle/archive/faq.html
>
> OldTools archive: http://people.iarc.uaf.edu/~cswingle/archive/
>
> OldTools@r...
> http://ruckus.law.cornell.edu/mailman/listinfo/oldtools
>
>
------------------------------------------------------------------------