OldTools Archive
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49430 | "Pierrel, Stephen" <SPierrel@s...> | 1998‑09‑09 | bio |
New member bio My name is Stephen Pierrel and I live in Houston, Texas. I am 50 years old, married and have a 9 year old daughter. I teach at a medical school and took up woodworking as an active hobby about 10 years ago after a few false starts during my younger years. I like to make furniture for my home and family. My SWMBO has accepted the idea that we no longer have a garage as it is now my shop. I have used each new project as an opportunity to get a few more of those fine old tools, using all the typical rationalizations. I do think she is on to me thought as I made the unpardonable mistake of lining up a bunch of planes on a shelf. I only recently read some of the FAQs and other tips for galoots and found out that this should be avoided (and I had been doing so well sneaking them in from the trunk of my car at odd hours). Just as outlined, she did recognize they weren't in there when we used to park our cars there. I am learning as I go but will have to look to you more experienced types for continuing guidance. As to how I came to this point - I have fond memories of my grandfather (born in 1885) and his back yard shop. He was the local engineer for a small town in Louisiana and built the area cotton gins and sugar cane mills. His shop had a wooden floored section with a small window. He had his saw vise just inside the one window and I can still see him in my mind filing his handsaws. The older part of the shop was dirt floored. It was powered by an old one-cylinder diesel engine (affectionately referred to as the putt-putt engine) with a large flywheel and a straight exhaust pipe out of the side of the shop. This engine powered a set of overhead pulleys and shafts via old leather belts (he said they predated the civil war). They ran a drill press, metal-working lathe and grinding wheel. I spent many a fun hour as a kid in that shop. His stuff was distributed to various family members following his death and the sale of his old 1840's home. I do have a few of his tools including a treasured plow plane. Tools for him were definitely "users" and he freely modified them to suit his tastes and needs. My dad, one really handy guy, carries on some of this tradition but never had a real shop of his own. The idea of the virtual porch is very appealing to me. This old house of my grandparent's had full-length front and back porches (we called them galleries). I remember well sitting first on the steps as a boy while the grown men sat in the rockers and talked guy stuff, usually about building or fixing things. As I got older I moved up to the porch myself. As I've picked up more handtools, my woodworking pleasure has increased. As I use an old, well cared-for, tool I do feel like I am a part of a history of use and it elevates my spirits. I know that I am a temporary custodian and that someone else will use this tool in the future if I care for it properly. OTOH, I'm not a purist and do have some tailed apprentices around. In the last few years I joined the SWTCA and participate in the gatherings in Houston. I have not been able to make anything on a regional or national level but hope to in the next few years. I have lurked around this list for the past few weeks and want to join. The free exchange of info, ideas and tips is great. I look forward to October's FMM. My thanks to the list founders for making this a possibility. Stephen Pierrel spierrel@b... Phone: (713) 798-7753 Fax: (713) 798-1442 |
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51322 | BohlB@a... | 1998‑10‑09 | Re: Bio |
In a message dated 98-10-08 00:05:09 EDT, you write: > Now she's > interested and even enjoys joining me for the hunt. In fact, > she's often encouraged me to buy tools that I don't really need, > or that are over-priced or in bad shape. I've been known to cave in to her > wishes on occassion. No fair! Unfair advantage - foul. I just don't see how this can be tolerated on the list. While I'm trying to justify to my SWMBO that I really really need some FS tool on the list, Phil's wife will likely be buying it for him. Bill Bohl |
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51374 | Bruce Mosher <Bruce@M...> | 1998‑10‑09 | Re: BIO |
>I have also noticed myself ..., hours, days and weeks making tools/jigs, >supposedly to help me make other things. Well put Jim,... I too find making the jigs far more appealing than making the project. Adulations for stirring such a long thread with your bio,... gues there's more value than just letting us kick your tires. |
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