OldTools Archive

Recent Bios FAQ

39815 Stieglitz, Michael (NJAOST) <MStieglitz@N...> 1998‑03‑21 Bio: Michael Stieglitz
Hello,
	I'm Michael Stieglitz.  I'm 47, live in eastern PA and work as a DP
systems manager for a large brokerage firm.  They provide computer
equipment, a free internet connection and money to buy tools.  After lurking
for several months, I've decided it's time to jump in.  
	I've been working with wood for about 20 years as a hobby.  I
started by taking several classes in New York City at the Craft Students
League, which is where my interest in making things out of wood expanded
into an appreciation of old hand tools.  While I was taught how to use the
machines, the teacher also emphasized the need to know how to use hand tools
to perform the same operations.  He showed me the difference between the
quality tools of old and the mostly inferior tools available in hardware
stores today.  Since then I have been on a never ending search for good old
tools.  I've managed to accumulate a pretty complete set of the basic hand
tools.  Until recently I only bought tools that I knew how to use and were
not too expensive to be put to use.  But recently I found myself acquiring
more specialized and expensive tools, filling out sets or upgrading (Bailey
to Bedrock) to keep the pursuit alive.
	I have a workshop in the basement which has a bench room and a room
for machines.  I'll use the hand tools whenever possible, since they don't
scare away the dog.  Occassionally, a finished project actually makes its
way out of the basement.  My better accomplishments have been a trestle
table for the kitchen about 7'x3' with a cherry top and maple base and a
revolving bookcase  of birch plywood and cherry.  I make frames and also fix
up antique furniture found while scouring antique shops for tools.  I've
never built anything from plans, but would like to try it sometime.  
	About 7 years ago I got interested in timber framing and spent a few
vacations taking classes and helping to build some timber frames in New
England.  That was great because, in addition to enjoying the experience, it
opened up a whole new category of tools to search for.  So now I have 3
slicks and 2 boring machines.
	I'm not sure how much I'll be able to contribute, as my knowledge is
shallow compared to what I've been reading in the archives, but I'll share
what I can.
	Michael
mstieglitz@n...              



Recent Bios FAQ