OldTools Archive

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53654 "HALL, HAYWARD" <HALLH@E...> 1998‑11‑20 Bio: Hayward Hall
Hello,

I'm a 28 year old Database Administrator.  I work at a Christian college in
Springfield Missouri and I love old tools.  I've always worked with my hands
building little things.  I developed an interest in medieval reenactment in
the SCA in college ( I know there are a few SCA'ers lurking about,
moonlighting as galoots) which lead to my building all sorts of things
medieval.  In my quest for complete authenticity I painstakingly (read:
"fanatically") researched how things were made and sought out how to not
only make something look medieval, but to make it the same way they would
have made it then, using the same tools and techniques.  You have to start
from scratch when doing this.  This lead to my developing an interest (and
marginal skill) in blacksmithing, fine metalworking, glasswork, pottery,
leatherworking, and, of course, woodworking.  I go back and fourth between
the various areas, spending several months or so in each until I work my way
around.
I read quite a bit.  Sometimes I have to watch it or I'll do more reading
about something than actually trying it. I will try making just about
anything.

I have always collected old tools.  Tools I didn't know what were, or did.
Tools I could look at and say "hey, I could use that someday".  Consequently
whenever I or a friend wants to do a project, I usually have an old tool to
use for it.  I have only recently, in the last year, started collecting turn
of the century and before woodworking tools in earnest. I have a good array
of planes from mid 1800's through transitionals to
the early metal Stanelys, several molding planes, 2 #45's, and lots of
chisels and shaves.  My current tool-to-lust-after is a 1900's era circular
plane which I hope to buy as soon as I can spare that much $$, but I would
settle for just finding a corner chisel.  My favorite tool is a double
scribed skewed wooden daddo plane with adjustable depth stop -mmmm fun to
use.

My shop is a 25 x 15 add on to a normal little '50s single car detached
garage, with a 2 story ceiling, heat, and an end wall that completely slides
open (I think it was built to house a camper).  It is for this that I bought
my house, an 1886 fixer upper.  In this I have stuffed a large walk around
woodworking bench, a small metalworking bench, a "general catchall"
workbench, glassworking bench, 2 kilns, a forge, anvil, post drill, miter
saw/post vise bench, an 1885 spoke tenon boring machine, and a lathe mounted
underneath the woodworking bench (I have to work on my knees - luckily I
don't do much turning).  Plus enough wood to choke a termite. I do the
electroplating in the house.  I scrounge almost all my supplies, as I am an
avid scrounger and packrat (this is my moms fault, I want to point out).  I
build mostly for myself or to give away.  Someday I'll  make some stuff to
sell.

I love antique shops, flea markets, auctions, and garage sales and am lucky
enough to have an artist girlfriend who does likewise.  I have to watch her
because she's starting to buy tools too.  Not quite a SWMBO -- maybe someday
(don't rush me!).  I love using old tools for all the 'normal' reasons you
all do, plus I love the connection with the past.  To think that someone, a
hundred or more years ago, did the same thing with this tool, made the same
mistakes, and cared for it -- that's really cool.  And it's fun. Plus, you
don't have to worry about them being Y2K compliant.  Handcrafting is an art.
I am an artist.  No machine will ever take the place of true craftsmanship
or match it's warm feeling of humanity.

Current projects include a large wooden easel for GFWMBO (had to build a
special plane from scratch for it -worked great), shaker table, small
medieval cabinet for grandmothers birthday, and 2 medieval chests.

So here I am.  I really enjoy talking and listening to you all.  I never
knew there were so many just like me.  I look forward to learning a lot from
you.  Ooops, I wrote a novel here didn't I?

HgH
(who is hoping to climb to at least galootus minimus status at the next big
tool auction)



Recent Bios FAQ