OldTools Archive

Recent Bios FAQ

19386 Lawrence Russo <lawrence.russo@p...> 1997‑05‑30 Bio
GGs:

I guess it's time for me to de-lurk and do a bio. My Name is Larry Russo 
and I admit it . . . I've been lurking for a few months now. I live on Long 
Island (the big island next to NYC) and no I don't drive a BMW or wear 
sweaters as a cape. I wear socks and I drive a truck. I have two Galoots in 
training, Laura (8) and Peter (7) and a SHMBO who's philosophy on old tools 
is best described as IIIIYDFIIMF*. I've been woodworking since I was in 
High School. My first major project was building a boat. I had some serious 
fights with my dad over that boat. Dad was one of those guys who wasn't 
quite sure which end of the hammer to hit the nail with. When the boat was 
finished he was so impressed that he helped me buy an outboard for it. 
Later, I ran my own Carpentry and Maintenance Co. in Syracuse for five 
years, it was fine for a single guy working his way through school, but I 
didn't see it turning in to a real career. So I ended up on LI writing 
Technical Manuals, currently for a co. that makes high end computer 
controlled telephone integration systems.  When I bought my first house, I 
decided it was time for a real shop. The house was a little 900 sq-ft one 
bedroom cape, but it was perfect for a single guy with two cats. Well 
almost perfect, so I tore down the 14 ft X 18 ft garage and proceeded to 
build a 26 ft X 28 ft two story workshop. I used steel I-beam construction 
so that I wouldn't have any lolly columns to get in my way. Now I had a 
great workshop, unfortunately the house was still a small one bedroom. When 
I got married and we decided have a family, I had to sell the house, 
because an addition just didn't make financial sense. Unfortunately the new 
house has a much smaller shop area. Currently I'm moving my shop (again) 
from the basement, to the garage to make room for a basement play room. I 
haven't really had the chance to get into making fine furniture, but as 
soon as the shop and the playroom are done the first project is going to be 
a european style workbench.

I have the usual collection of normie tailed apprentices and I have a 
number of Galootinous tools that I had totally ignored for years. Last 
December I met Frank Klaus at a LI Woodworkers Club demonstration. I got to 
try one of his "tuned" #4s and I was hooked. I have recently been adding to 
my collection of user Galootinous tools from a few of the FMM dealers and 
some surprisingly good luck at local yard sales. Now all I need to do is to 
finish my shop, build the playroom, build my bench, keep up with the house 
repairs and catch up on my "tuning" and I can start some furniture.
Hummmm . . . how many years to retirement??? 

I have enjoyed the list and look forward to more interesting discussions.
Now I can even put my $.02 in with out feeling guilty.

                Larry

* IIIIYDFIIMF (I'll Ignore It If You Don't Flaunt It In My Face)   

Larry Russo



Recent Bios FAQ