Hi Mike and welcome aboard,

I've been wondering the same thing myself. My own self 
imposed Galoot apprenticeship goes something like this:

1) you not only have a post drill, but use it
2) instead of buying a bow saw, you make your own
3) see above except insert treadle or pole lathe for bow saw
4) you have a bunch of chisels that you use, and a box of 
chisels under the bench that you don't, but had to buy anyway
5) see above except insert saw, plane, brace, drill, marking 
gage, or other for chisel.
6) your finish of choice is - shelac, shelac, shelac. You 
will kill anyone who doesn't like shelac.
7) you're amazed that you have any tools at all, but you do, 
since you rarely pay more than $5 for anything
8) you rarely if ever complete a woodworking project
9) you will rise at 5AM even on a Saturday to get first 
crack at the local yardsale
10) and last but not least - you have the hat

Regards
Jonathan Peck - ducking and running

>snip>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>Am I a galoot?  I leave that to you. I'd /like/ to be, but 
>I don't think I have the experience to justify that claim.  
>GIT maybe, or apprentice perhaps.  Is there a ritual I muss 
>pass to qualify?  Some arcane and bizarre hazing practice, 
>maybe?  Demonstrate some knowledge of the subject, or 
>skill?  Do "new" versions of old tools qualify? Say, 
>hypothetically...a Steve Knight jointer, or is this an 
>egregious faux pas?