OldTools Archive

Recent Bios FAQ

85699 Steve Sullivan steve.sullivan@a... 2000‑11‑02 Bio - Steve Sullivan

Hi,

Please accept this bio as an entry into your old tool appreciation
society. 

Personal details:

- 36 years old.
- Live in Adelaide, Australia.
- SWMBO of 8 years with 6 y.o. girl and 4 y.o. boy.
- Geologist by training with more recent interest in computer software
applications as related to mining.
- Have travelled extensively throughout Australia, with some travel in
Asia and USA.
- Other interests include mountain bike racing and orienteering.

Old tools interest

Until about 6 years ago I owned a ratty assortment of tools for fixing
bicycles that could be held easily in one clenched fist. This was at the
end of my first ten years employment which had lead to more than 10
different residential locations. I then had the opportunity to reside in
the same place for nearly three years and quickly was confronted with
family and a house to furnish and repair. 

Being of frugal upbringing, I attempted to buy a few cheap new Asian
hand tools but soon found them severely deficient in the quality
department. My first real experience with old tools was picking up some
job lots at the local farm clearing sales. I maintained this initially
as a low key, occasional activity, only seeking out what I needed for a
specific job. Other stuff obtained in job lots was kept in boxes without
further thought.

Move on to the current day and I have a more than useful "accumulation"
of useable hand operated WW and machinist tools (with appropriate
numbers of backups!). I accidentally came across the "OLDTOOLS" forum
through a web search a couple of months ago and through your discussions
I have significantly increased the appreciation of my stash. Purchases
that were shoved to the back of the storage six years ago now have a new
lease of life after careful cleaning and sharpening. This forum has
increased my awareness of what to look for in garage sale/flea market
opportunities and since joining OLDTOOLS I now have my first eggbeater
drill (MF), low knob plane (#6), rabbet plane (#10 1/2), hollow auger
(but, now how do I use it?), thumbhole saw amongst others. 

My WW projects to date have been small and unadventurous, usually
involving repairs to broken furniture and other peripheral damage to
wooden articles due to the effect of the SWMBOettes. I am currently
building them a large outdoor cubby house, with their assistance!

My bench is currently one that my grandfather built in the twenties out
of packing crates used to ship Ariel motorcycles from England to
Australia. It is not ideal for use but until I build my own, which is
unlikely to be soon, I will use it with his memory. I would have
preferred his tools to his bench, but they all went to my cousin, who I
found has since sold them all :-(.

Thanks for your attention. I am looking forward to further advancement
of my OLDTOOLS apprenticeship in the near future.

Regards,
-- 
Steve S.



Recent Bios FAQ