Hi Galoots;
    My name is Norm.  I am 44 years old. I am currently working as a
Tech Support person at my area's largest internet provider.  I have been
the "Jack of all Trades", and the master of 1 or 2.  I have been at
various times a draftsman (USAF), computer programmer/electronics tech
(USAF), salesman, Knife Sharpener (8 Yrs.), computer tech, and a
carpenter's apprentice.  I have also done a smattering of Jewelry repair
(The knife shop I worked at also did jewelry).
    In the hobby realm, I have done some Knife making (15-20 knives),
Blacksmithing (forging & heat treating knife blades), and hand tool
carpentry.  I have built a hollow grinding knife grinder from an
electric motor and junk, finally publishing an article in "Knives
Illustrated" about the process ( Spring '91 if I am not mistaken).  Most
of the hobby and job skills that I have are self taught, but there has
been some significant mentors in each area (most of these people were
individuals who would be comfortable in this group (my main mentor in
the personal computing area could use a hex editor to build hex files,
blow them to a ".com" file and have them work first time out of the box
(short files of course), but was also an accomplished gunsmith, and did
lost wax castings in bronze).
    I worked as a union carpenter's apprentice for 3 yrs. until the jobs
dried up in my area, and I left after 5 mos. of unemployment (told 'em I
had hobbies, what I needed was a job.).  Through out this, and other
employment,  I have had an interest in old technology, being convinced
that it was neither low tech, nor inelegant.  Most of the things that I
was interested in could be done cheaply, and in my backyard, basement,
backroom etc.  I am as people here say "a galoot", but am not totally
adverse to electric apprentices (I like my grinders to have cords, as I
never have had the space, or the money for a nice foot powered grinding
wheel.)  The bottom line is if it can be done cheaper and as well in the
modern technology, (I.E. $30-$70 for the electric grinder Vs. $200 + for
the nice old grinding wheel set up) I will probably use it.
    On the other hand, planing a surface with a hand plane while
listening to good baroque music is so much more esthetically pleasing
than the "Normite" version, I don't care if you GAVE me the surface
planer, the hand tool would be used.  I guess that  raps up my feelings,
- hand tools well used yield a project that I did (as opposed to some
machine), and are more aesthetically pleasing.  With the possibility of
incurring the wrath of the local populace, I admire Norm Abrams, I think
that within his field he is a master craftsman.  If I had a choice
between watching Roy, or Norm, however, Norm would be rather lonely,
however.
    Current "want to do" areas in my various interests, include simple
joinery, toolboxes and workbenches (an interest that will not die out
long after I have had my fill of both), a lathe using oil soaked wood or
leather bearings (or hand poured babbitt bearings), and a new forge
(have not done any of that for years).  The only thing I am actively
doing right now is reading and small projects for SWMBO.

Norm
microc@z...