Greetings Galoots,

I have been lurking now for to long to really admit and come forward to
the edges of the dull light cast to this far side of the bigpond from
the porch to introduce myself and ask for a little direction.

I am an electrical engineer by day working in the steel industry in
Australia in a beautiful coastal city called Wollongong. I share my life
with SWMBO and two daughters (6yrs & 8yrs).

I have a passion for Australian timber and fine furniture design, but I
still have a way to go before I have the hand skills to produce the
designs that I would like to create. I have spent the last few years
learning the basics of hand skills of traditional joinery and fine
furniture. The precision and adaptability of hand techniques to craft a
piece of useful furniture is what I find the most appealing, as well as
being able to work in a quiet environment. My current projects have been
severely interupted by moving house and landscaping projects, but
hopefully that will only be temporary.

Mostly the timbers I work with are Jarrah, Tasmanian Blackwood (Acacia
melanoxylon), Tasmanian Oak (which is not really an oak but a eucalypt
hardwood), Sydney Bluegum and Flooded Gum. My assemblage of hand tools
is growing and any opportunity to expand is seized upon, limited only by
the available $ to support the aquisition (I guess you all know how that
is!).

I am particularly interested in a Swedish chisel manufacturer that has
been mentioned here previously "Erik Anton Berg/ Eskiltuna brand". These
are very fine chisels and I find I always reach for them whenever I need
to pare down a joint or do some fine cleanup. Does anyone have a web
address or other info regards the company and when they where producing?
product lines? are they still in business? etc

I think I have said enough for a first intro and will now retire to the
cool shade of the eucalypt trees.

cheers
Bill

Returning to lurk mode