Luce (Loochay) on a half shell.

In my immediately previous life (for about 8 years) I was yet another
software developer.  Worked too much, played very little.

About five years ago I got into woodworking the usual way, shop full of
power tools and Norm. Boxes, occasional tables, the usual stuff. Started
from scratch but I read everything I could get my hands on and made alot =
of
sawdust. Even milled my own boards from my own trees.

About two years ago I got sick, and have been basically stuck at home
since. About a year and a half ago SWMBE brought home to me a couple of o=
ld
no-name Stanley-Baileys (#5 and #7) that had been in a friend=92s
grandmother=92s shed for many years when she had to move from her home.  =
I
had never seen a bench plane before.  Whenever my condition permitted, I
took the things apart, cleaned the heavy rust off, sharpened and put them
to some timbers.  Some sort of primeval instinct was kindled and things
haven=92t been the same since. Though I am not a collector, I am a
user...heh..heh...

So far now I have about 15  planes, mostly the usual including a growing
collection of LN planes.  Since I don=92t get out, every tool I have arri=
ved
by mail (except for those first two). My latest treasure is a old 2=92=92=
 wide
wooden skewed blade rabbet plane that a friend sent me. It works
beautifully, and there are now a whole lot of pieces of wood around the
shop that look like little raised panels. Guess now I need a #289.  My
favorite plane is that old #7 that I lapped flat and put a Hock blade on =
-
awesome tool! I do have couple sets of chisels and a few saws, but so far
planes is as far as I have seriously made it.

Inspired by JG, I have added spokeshaves to my mania, and now have about =
8
not counting the kit I will receive anyday. Have made many piles of the
weirdest looking shavings....

About a month ago SWMBE set me up online for the first time in about 18
months and as it says she must be obeyed. (She felt bad for me existing i=
n
such a vacuum, I think.) Reading is rough on me, but I have quit simply
waiting to get better and now I try to do everything I can no matter how
miserable it makes me feel.=20

So I'm just an apprentice galoot, have never seen a table full of old
tools, don=92t have it exactly straight whether the 71 or the 71 1/2 has =
the
depth stop, and still can=92t rip a straight line worth a toot. Oh well. =
But
I truly enjoy the comradery, information and good will I have seen on thi=
s
channel.=20

Oh yeah, and I found ebay...a dangerous place for the housebound.

Bill (La Pill) Luce
Renton, WA

(I am not always able to read my mail, so if I take a couple days to repl=
y
to anyone don=92t take it personal.)

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