Hello. I've been lurking for a while on and off for at least a year. I
just posted a question and was politely told I should post a bio.
So, here it is.
ME: Hi, my name is Marc Bileau, and I'm a 'junk' collector.
EVERYONE: Hi Marc!
I was recently diagnosed with a severe case of 'galootitis'. My
doctor (actually the vet my wife works for) said there was an anti
-depressant that could help. I responded by locking myself in my
shop.
Well, since there are no 12 step programs for 'junk' collectors
I read stuff like this list. What other people call 'junk' (including
SWMBO) we lovingly pay for, or get for free, and restore to useable.
Many times better than anything we can buy that's new (for
<~$100). Along with these acquisitions, we get a small rush of
adrenalin. This,and an appreciation for well made items is why
I think we do it. I can't see a well made tool with plenty of life left
in it go to a landfill. I'm sick of throwing out broken new Chinese
tools that are less than 6 months old. They do a poor job at
what they're designed todo, and just frustrate and make me
doubt my skills. How many computertechs have you seen using
a wood handled at least 75 year old Yankee screwdriver?
My grandfather ground 3 sizes of Phillips bits forit years ago that
are still in great shape. Love the thing, and neverforget to charge
it! (as an aside, I was told once by a former boss to get a 'real'
set ofscrewdrivers in a case because it looked much more
professional! He buysa new set every year. He doesn't even
remove the "Made in China" stickers. I laughed and opened the
case in half the time it would have taken me with'real' screwdrivers)
About Me:
I'm a 38 year old male. I live in N. Dartmouth, MA. With my
lovely wife, daughter, and basset hound. I finally got a house with a
garage last year. It will never house a car, much to my wife's
disappointment. Makes a nice shop, though.
I believe life is about experiences and learning as much as we
can. To this end I have done many different jobs. Upholsterer, Baker,
Hotel front desk manager, Crewed on a tour schooner, Driver, Worked
in antiques, Computer repair and Network technician, and Electronics
recycling and refurbishing.
I've backpacked at least 13 states, Skydived, lived on a sail
boat, lived in the Grand Canyon. I've since settled down and now
am raising my family.
Right now I am a full time eBay seller and deal in antiques and
Collectibles and I refurbish and sell computer equipment. I have a few
computer repair and networking customers. I also sharpen knives and
scissors. I work for myself and I never get bored.
In my spare time I buy and fix and use old tools in my shop. I
enjoy books and computers. I'm getting better everyday at woodworking,
especially with traditional hand tools. I get a sense of satisfaction
from using old tools to make something beautiful and useful that I
can't afford to buy. I pick up wood on trash day that I couldn't
afford to buy at the local megasuperdepartmenthardwarestore. (Got a
mahogany table the other day that was broken. Two REALLY nice pieces
of =BE" old mahogany that I will find a use for.) Hey- it supports my
habit.
I started in earnest on my old tool fetish about a year ago. My
parents was moving from MA to AZ for his retirement. Huge house to
small house, so he had to get rid of a lot. He asked me if I wanted
any of his old tools, and of course I said yes. Well, there were 3 oak
tool chests in the basement that I never really looked at, they were
too hard to get to. (When I was younger I thought it was better to use
new tools, but I got better) What a rush! There were all my
grandfather's and great uncle's tools! They haven't been used since
he died in 1966! Slowly I've been restoring these tools. Anything
beyond my skills I put away until I learn enough to do it right.
Apparently I don't know much, because I still have a lot to do. I
haven't even Identified all of them yet.
Hope that wasn't too long winded, I sometimes get carried away.
I usually like to remain anonymous, but was asked to post this. That's
a great idea for a list, and this is the first list I belong to that
firmly requests. I learn a LOT from you guys and hope to learn a lot
more! Thanks to all who take the time to answer basic questions (to
YOU) and share your vast knowledge with GITs like me! I really mean
it.
Marc
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