OldTools Archive

Recent Bios FAQ

152629 Peter Hyde <peter.hyde@s...> 2005‑11‑22 Here's my bio
Where to begin? Long ago and far away? Think it’s been done! First I am 
not a collector. Just a chippy (English slang) Apprenticed to my trade 
in the ‘50’s in London England. Worked at wood butchery ever since and 
still love it! I was taught by 2 elderly joiners in a shop where the 
hand tools were a mainstay of production. We had a large 12” rip saw 
and a 16” combination thicknesser and jointer. The morticing machine 
was a pig sticker with a long lever and a huge weight at the other end. 
Worked kind of like a press. My mentors had traditional tool chests 
with Norris smoothers and shoulder planes and a variety of wood 
moulding planes. My first 6 weeks of work were spent pushing cabinet 
scrapers over Honduras mahogany door frames to be sanded ready to go to 
the French polisher. I came home with bleeding thumbs and tears every 
night until the calluses built. Slowly as I acquired skills I was 
allowed to spend my tool allowance and under supervision slowly put a 
kit together most of which is still in everyday use. I also inherited 
some tools (a Disston cross cut and several Sorby chisels and a Marples 
steel jack plane) from an uncle who was killed at work and also some 
awls and a black Arkansas oil stone from my grandfather who was a 
dabbler.
I have always done auctions and flea markets where I have added 
Disstons and steel planes to my tool box. Lately I have taken up wood 
turning as a hobby! and have just purchased a 1950’s Delta 12 x 36 
lathe. One of my skill areas has always been staircases and railings. 
Currently I work building theatre scenery at the Shaw Festival in 
Niagara-on-the-Lake in Canada. Probably the best job I have ever had as 
far as self expression and personal input. Also some other great 
coworkers and acquaintances such as Rob Brophy who has to take the 
blame for my being here. Nice to meet you all and please drop by my 
site at:
http://peterhyde.bravehost.com/
where I will post tool and woodworking stuff for your perusal.

  May rust be surface only and your edges forever sharp!
visit me at
http://peterhyde.bravehost.com/
or
http://www3.sympatico.ca/peter.hyde/

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Recent Bios FAQ