OldTools Archive

Greetings Galoots & Galootesess.        
        As holder of  the worlds record for being a (under the porch dweller)
it is time for me to come out in the bright lights, (blink blink). Ask
Gary Roberts when we first discussed Keen Kutter;-) Anyway being raised
the son of a do-it-yourselfer, on a stump ranch, we did it ourselves or
it did not get done. I enjoyed woodworking at age eight, put my first
wood shingle roof on then. We built our own homes when I was eight and
one at fourteen! Was raised on a one hundred  sixty acre ranch, in Sweet
Home, Orygun, which we (my brother and I) logged and thinned yearly with
a Swedish fiddle and an olde farm tractor! Started working away from
home at age sixteen as a Sawyer in a small box factory/ sawmill. The
mill burnt down so I went to work in the wood as a professional logger
at seventeen. Really enjoyed that also, (mud in the Winter and dust in
the Summer). Helped build  a sled for a steam donkey, also got to
operate it for awhile:-) Fast forward a couple of years, (Uncle Sam
break) finds me in Iowa City building houses, again (dust in the Summer
and snow in the Winter. So you can see I have sawdust in my veins;-).
        Lest you think I am one hundred, was born 10/23/36 in Denver Co. moved
to Orygun at age seven. Left Iowa in 1961 and worked as a carpenter in
Eugene, Or. for two years. Then getting very  tired of the mud and dust,
became the first certified Floorcovering Mechanic in the state of Or.
Did this for thirty two years and then started my own home remodeling
business, that has lasted up until at least yesterday;-) (did a stone
fireplace hearth), may continue longer as
there are still a few jobs on hold;-) Tools have been a passion all my
life, (started at age  seven) and the pile is huge, so if you need
something just give me a
ping:-) 
        The joys of co**ecting are #1 Finding, #2 Restoring, #3
Sharing!! 
         I do many  reenactments setting up a very complete woodworking shop,
 with wooden screw vice workbench, chopping block, shaving
horse, and a full compliment of tools!  Oh yes I use a # 1, Millers Pat
# 42 and any of my hand tools to the oohs and ahhhs of the crowd. We are
just care takers of these fine tools and must teach the young what and
how to use them.
I still use the crosscut saw we used as a kid, the people love to help 
make thin (lg) 8"-!0" wooden nickels. The  (spills) give always are also
a hit. My 14" French bowel adz is one tool that gets many questions, yes
I demo how to make bowls. Did I mention I wear a 1876 apparel, complete
with large feather in my hat?
        At the present time am working on a new proper shop, 42"x50", Dutch
barn/ tool display on the second floor.
Well this is over kill I know, but tools are just me! 
        Regards to all on the list, some of whom I know very well, GaM,
and some are
e- friends:-) also thanx for all the acquired knowledge you have all
contributed to this novice. Best Regards ibjb
------------------------------------------------------------------------

152338	Jack Birky <birkyjw@e...>	2005‑11‑13	Very belated bio.
Greetings Galoots & Galootesess. As holder of the worlds record for being a (under the porch dweller) it is time for me to come out in the bright lights, (blink blink). Ask Gary Roberts when we first discussed Keen Kutter;-) Anyway being raised the son of a do-it-yourselfer, on a stump ranch, we did it ourselves or it did not get done. I enjoyed woodworking at age eight, put my first wood shingle roof on then. We built our own homes when I was eight and one at fourteen! Was raised on a one hundred sixty acre ranch, in Sweet Home, Orygun, which we (my brother and I) logged and thinned yearly with a Swedish fiddle and an olde farm tractor! Started working away from home at age sixteen as a Sawyer in a small box factory/ sawmill. The mill burnt down so I went to work in the wood as a professional logger at seventeen. Really enjoyed that also, (mud in the Winter and dust in the Summer). Helped build a sled for a steam donkey, also got to operate it for awhile:-) Fast forward a couple of years, (Uncle Sam break) finds me in Iowa City building houses, again (dust in the Summer and snow in the Winter. So you can see I have sawdust in my veins;-). Lest you think I am one hundred, was born 10/23/36 in Denver Co. moved to Orygun at age seven. Left Iowa in 1961 and worked as a carpenter in Eugene, Or. for two years. Then getting very tired of the mud and dust, became the first certified Floorcovering Mechanic in the state of Or. Did this for thirty two years and then started my own home remodeling business, that has lasted up until at least yesterday;-) (did a stone fireplace hearth), may continue longer as there are still a few jobs on hold;-) Tools have been a passion all my life, (started at age seven) and the pile is huge, so if you need something just give me a ping:-) The joys of co**ecting are #1 Finding, #2 Restoring, #3 Sharing!! I do many reenactments setting up a very complete woodworking shop, with wooden screw vice workbench, chopping block, shaving horse, and a full compliment of tools! Oh yes I use a # 1, Millers Pat # 42 and any of my hand tools to the oohs and ahhhs of the crowd. We are just care takers of these fine tools and must teach the young what and how to use them. I still use the crosscut saw we used as a kid, the people love to help make thin (lg) 8"-!0" wooden nickels. The (spills) give always are also a hit. My 14" French bowel adz is one tool that gets many questions, yes I demo how to make bowls. Did I mention I wear a 1876 apparel, complete with large feather in my hat? At the present time am working on a new proper shop, 42"x50", Dutch barn/ tool display on the second floor. Well this is over kill I know, but tools are just me! Regards to all on the list, some of whom I know very well, GaM, and some are e- friends:-) also thanx for all the acquired knowledge you have all contributed to this novice. Best Regards ibjb ------------------------------------------------------------------------
152339	James Thompson <jdthompsonca@s...>	2005‑11‑13	Re: Very belated bio.
Now, off with these clothes! Up, up, and away!!! (old Superman intro) Jack uncloaks and comes out into the sunlight. I have been corresponding with Jack for quite a while now, and I wondered if he was ever going to get out from under the porch. And now he has. Welcome, Jack! Its Ok to wear sunglasses for a while till you get used to the light. :>) On Nov 13, 2005, at 7:10 PM, Jack Birky wrote: > Greetings Galoots & Galootesess. > As holder of the worlds record for being a (under the porch > dweller) > it is time for me to come out in the bright lights, (blink blink). Jim > Thompson, the old millrat in Riverside, CA. ------------------------------------------------------------------------
152341	scott grandstaff <scottg@s...>	2005‑11‑13	Re: Very belated bio.
Holy Mackerel. Somebody get our man some sunglasses quick! Jack, Partner, here, take my arm and plop into this rocker whilst your eyes adjust. There you go. Kick back. Dig that sky! Somebody over the far end is hoarding the single malt but have a beer on me also thanx for all the acquired knowledge you have all contributed to this novice. Don't let this innocent act fool ya! Jack is a major accomplished journalist, hoards scrumptious pocket wrenches among many other things and forgot more about cutlery than I'll ever know! Glad to see you out! yours, Scott -- ******** Scott Grandstaff, Box 409, Happy Camp, CA 96039 ******* Tools:http://users.snowcrest.net/kitty/scott/scotts/tools/tools.html PageWorks:http://www.snowcrest.net/kitty/hpages/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------
152354	Gary Roberts <toolemera@m...>	2005‑11‑14	Re: Very belated bio.
On Sunday, November 13, 2005, at 11:17PM, Jack Birky wrote: >Greetings Galoots & Galootesess. As holder of the worlds record for >being a (under the porch dweller) it is time for me to come out in the >bright lights, (blink blink). Ask Gary Roberts when we first discussed >Keen Kutter;-) ...great big snip... Lo! and the end of the world that is called Armegeddon, ne the Apocalyspe is Nigh! The Bright Lights of Oldtools doth blind mine eyes yet I do see Jack Birky arise from the depths of anonymity. Welcome to the real world Jack and good to have ya here. Gary Gary Roberts Dedham, MA toolemera@m... ------------------------------------------------------------------------
152364	"Bret rochotte" <rochotte@b...>	2005‑11‑14	RE: Very belated bio.
Hello Jack This scares me: My 14" French bowel adz is one tool that gets many questions, Welcome, Bret Bret and Wendy Rochotte New Bremen, Ohio rochotte@b... ------------------------------------------------------------------------
152366	Jack Birky <birkyjw@e...>	2005‑11‑14	Re: Very belated bio.
GENTLEMAN & GALOOTS: Thank you one and all for the nice welcome to the sunny side of the porch, with even a cool one;-) Now I will just sit here a spell and watch you youngsters make shavings! Does anyone know what Gary meant by the diatribe below;-) Best Regards ibjb Gary Roberts wrote: Lo! and the end of the world that is called Armegeddon, ne the Apocalyspe is Nigh! The Bright Lights of Oldtools doth blind mine eyes yet I do see Jack Birky arise from the depths of anonymity. Welcome to the real world Jack and good to have ya here. > > Gary > > Gary Roberts > Dedham, MA > toolemera@m... ------------------------------------------------------------------------
152369	Gary Roberts <toolemera@m...>	2005‑11‑15	Re: Very belated bio.
Obviously Gary has continued to read too much Terry Pratchett... Gary On Tuesday, November 15, 2005, at 00:38AM, Jack Birky wrote: >GENTLEMAN & GALOOTS: >Thank you one and all for the nice welcome to the sunny side of the >porch, with even a cool one;-) Now I will just sit here a spell and >watch you youngsters make shavings! Does anyone know what Gary meant by >the diatribe below;-) Best Regards ibjb > >Gary Roberts wrote: > >Lo! and the end of the world that is called Armegeddon, ne the >Apocalyspe is Nigh! The Bright Lights of Oldtools doth blind mine eyes >yet I do see Jack Birky arise from the depths of anonymity. Welcome to >the real world Jack and good to have ya here. >> >> Gary >> >> Gary Roberts >> Dedham, MA >> toolemera@m... >------------------------------------------------------------------------ >OldTools is a mailing list catering to the interests of hand tool >aficionados, both collectors and users, to discuss the history, usage, >value, location, availability, collectibility, and restoration of >traditional handtools, especially woodworking tools. > >To read the FAQ: >http://www.frontier.iarc.uaf.edu/~cswingle/archive/faq.html > >OldTools archive: http://www.frontier.iarc.uaf.edu/~cswingle/archive/ > >OldTools@r... >http://ruckus.law.cornell.edu/mailman/listinfo/oldtools > > Gary Roberts Dedham, MA toolemera@m... ------------------------------------------------------------------------