Well, the time has come for me to come clean with a bio.

I originally trained as an engineer and currently reside in New Jersey. I have
done a good bit of whatever over the years, including rough electrical, other
light construction, making jewellery, machinist of sorts, welder, and boiler
operator, most of it for side money or rent money. Mostly, for the last 20+
years, I teach general engineering, and practice a little on the side in the
transportation industry. Over the years I have been involved with, and often
completed, a variety of restoration projects, including several large lathes (56
inch by 20 foot Harrington, for one) and drill presses (20" Royersford and 36"
floating head Cinci-Bickford, among others), as well as a few historical
structures and historic transportation equipment. At this point, I have cut out
most of the non-primary-income work (still do a bit of welding instruction, and
as-needed work for one company) in favour of repair/rebuild of my house. It was
converted to a house in about 1910 (records aren't clear, but that is when it
got 'lecticity) from a small barn, and the framing shows it. No idea the age of
the barn. Mostly working with hand tools, both because I am in no rush and I
enjoy it. Also, minimal mess and noise is a bonus.

The accumulation includes tools from my grandfather and great uncle, including
most of my uncle's navigators set from the 20's as well as his sextant, to a few
from my father, to those I have picked up at yard sales, swap meets, estate
sales, and a few things in trade, like the near-pristine 22" Disston #16
(nineteen-teens vintage, give or take) for a 1hr welding lesson. That also came
with a glass of iced tea and another good hour of conversation.

Still gathering user machinist tools, woodworking tools, and whatever else grabs
me (got a nice Simplex house jack as a bonus from a twice retired builder
unloading extra baggage, again for a welding lesson, and a #6 B-plane in usable
shape from the same guy a few weeks later). I ain't picky. I go for users. I
have block planes with mouths like Martha Rae, a #3 that is more battered and
twisted than a 1950's NFL line, saws that came with teeth more messed up than
the 1930 Bruins starting line.... Don't care. I make 'em work as best as I can,
or make something else out of 'em. Also been lucky enough to find some top
quality as well. My 9-1/2 block is probably my favourite plane.

My basement works as a shop, covering wood, metal, and electronics in about 200
square feet of 6 foot clearance, shared with the boiler and laundry. It works.