OldTools Archive

Recent Bios FAQ

171472 Archie England <christinmedaily@y...> 2007‑07‑09 bio
Greetings. My name is Archie, and I've recently begun to appreciate old
woodworking hand tools, well anything that assists with woodworking. I'm
48, married with three daughters--be glad when college and marriages are
done--and live in the devastated metro New Orleans area. I teach for a
Baptist seminary there. Life here has been quite interesting since
Hurricane Katrina. That's where my most recent history with woodworking
resumes. (BTW, I do live above sea level and lost no tools to flooding.)
Having bought numerous tailed tools, I was unhappily butchering most
small projects--picture frames, storage boxes, book shelves, and utility
cabinets (supposed to have been furniture quality but, of course, I had
butchered them). Sanding a project had become one of my dreaded demons.
Then arrives the shoulder injury, with never ending therapy, plus
surgery, and the resumption of never-ending therapy. Katrina hits; I
can't get therapy; my shoulder is a mess; and I can't lift to move my
heavy equipment. A church member loaned me a Corsair smoother (#4
Stanley). It was sharp, really sharp. So I made shavings, and more shavings--
making some great discoveries. First, hand planes significantly reduce
the need for sanding: Gotta love them! Second, hand plane motion is
wonderful therapy for someone recovering from shoulder surgery. No
kidding!!!! My doctor (along with swmbo and other) were thrilled to see
me make steady progress. With the doctor's approval, of course, I set
out to discover more plane makers and sizes. If the price is right, I
bought. And used, and used and used. Well, along the way, I realized
that a hefty workbench trumped a table saw; so, a hefty work bench, with
wheels, I built. Ten drawers, top shelf for large planes, and a putzie
but useable top constructed from free treated lumber (can you spell FEMA
debris?) Now, I added braces, bits, handsaws, backsaws, Japanese saws,
and sharpening platforms. Wow, is this hobby cheap or what? Got first
bitten with woodworking as a kid growing up around my grandparents (both
sides). As farmers, they built or maintained barns, fences, etc. Too
little to help, I toted nails, hammers, and the lot; played with hand
planes, bench grinders, and chisels. Lost a number of them, too. Twenty
years later, as a young preacher, I had two genuine wood workers (one a
galoot, but I didn't know that then) take me under their guidance and
show me the basics. The galoot lost patience (you know, I liked the
powerful tailed tools). The other, Jim, didn't. I built my first
computer desk from Birch 3/4 ply. Still have it. Jim built furniture. I
thought...one day, I will, too. Well, twenty years later, here I am and
ready to resume that quest. Lurking for the last year and half has
taught me much. I never bio-ed because I thought I had nothing to add.
However, I've decided that I need to venture out and let you know I'm
learning in order to get serious about furniture making. Armed with
Lathe, workbench, saws, hand planes (user quality only), and host of now
less often used tailed tools, I'm in the garage, either working on my
tools or my wood. Life is great!!!!!!...Now, if I can just survive these
kids. Greetings, Archie in Mandeville, LA


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Recent Bios FAQ