OldTools Archive

Recent Bios FAQ

53588 "Greg JONES" <gregj@g...> 1998‑11‑19 Bio
I've been lurking here in the shadows for several months and it's probably time
that I step up onto the porch and introduce myself. I'm a 36 year old computer
geek (specifically, a Unix sysadmin) from Fort Wayne, IN. My family consists of
my fairly tolerant wife Tanja, 6 year old son Alex, 4 year old daughter Bethany
and 2 year old daughter Chloe.

About ten years ago, I discovered that I really liked building things and I've
done a lot of the Normie construction kind of stuff building sheds and decks or
finishing basements. I've also acquired a bunch of tailed demons over the years
to do this construction type of work. However, a couple of years ago I started
to do some things that could be considered real woodworking rather than
construction. There is something very satisfying about building a project and
having something tangible to look at when done versus what I do during the day
(and night and weekends) as a sysadmin.

I started the slide down this slippery slope about six months ago when I bought
that first #4 from MofA. He warned me about what was going to happen and he was
correct. It is just so much fun to use hand tools rather than screaming p*w*r
tools. I can actually work in the basement at night when the kids are in bed.

Since discovering hand tools, I've had the opportunity to go scrounge in family
basements and garages and I am now the proud owner of a bunch of old tools that
go back many generations. I didn't know it until recently, but my dad's side of
the family had a bunch of machinists and tool and die makers. My grandfather
gave me all of his old machinists tools including stuff that was his
grandfather's. I've got some Starrett stuff that dates from the late 1800's.
(Does that qualify as a gloat?). My mom's side of the family had folks that
worked for the Penn Central Railroad repairing locomotives and also several
shoemakers. I've found some really interesting tools tucked away in boxes. I
guess that this Galoot stuff must run in my blood.

Well, thanks for making room on the porch.

Greg



Recent Bios FAQ