OldTools Archive

Recent Bios FAQ

53410 Paul Doubek <pdoubek@x...> 1998‑11‑17 BIO: Paul Doubek
Howdy from Utah, esteemed Galoots,

My name is in the subject line, and I subscribed last Friday; boy, you
ain't kiddin' about the volume (I'm running digest mode, BTW).

But enough about you, I'm supposed to write about me. First off, I'm a
user not a collector. ;) I only buy tools I can use, or might be able to
put to use, or that look really cool, or are just so funky that I have
to
have them... ALRIGHT, I'm a TOOL JUNKIE!

I'm a 37 yr old professional computer geek (sysadmin), but got hooked on
WW while a full time welder in the early 80's. I put myself through
school
building wooden kaleidoscopes, cabinetry, and furniture. I have a pretty
good array of newfangled, utility fed contraptions, but I've also come
to rely on my hand tools... and I don't find myself setting my Makita
router on my desk to look over the details and craftsmanship!

My collection consists mostly of standard Stanley smooth, jack, &
jointer
planes, spokeshaves, chisels, marking gauges, Yankee stuff, etc. The
most
occasional user planes are Stanley #45's, #55, and #113 (type 2). My
most
recent acquisition is a #2 (type 12) that I almost passed by because I
thought it was overpriced ($51US)... luckily it was still there after I
did
some checking! Cleaned up nicely using electrolysis, other than some
rust
pitting at the front it looks beautiful, still needs to be tuned up. Is
this semi-gloatable?

I've since taken a local tool dealer's advice (Thanks, Rich) and picked
up John Walter's book so's I won't be so ignernt! <-(Utah phonetic
spelling)

I've also got a wonderfully supportive SWMBO. She bought me the #113
last Xmas and the #55 when we were broke and she knew I lusted after it.
When we were renting a 3 bedroom dive after college, she tolerated my
workbench next to the fridge in the kitchen. I just had to sweep the
wood shavings off the floor before dinner. Kicked out a nice computer
desk and some smaller projects that year... hand tools don't make near
the mess or noise when you're forced to work in your living space!

Other obsessions are playing music (mostly Celtic & Bluegrass), Sailing,
and resurrecting old VWs. I'm finishing up a new wall hung tool cabinet,
'cause the bench is too cluttered and my tools deserve it. Future
projects
include a mandolin or mandola and a couple small wooden boats.

Thanks for tolerating my ramblings, it's been interesting reading so
far.
I expect to learn a lot!

pd



Recent Bios FAQ