>Susan:
>Others will probably tell you this list likes to be introduced to new faces
>via a rough bio so they sort of know to whom they are talking.

Sorry for the Faux Pas ... read the FAQ and didn't recall seeing this as a
suggested practice, but I am happy to oblige!

A short story:

My father-in-law died in November, he was 78.  As part of the cleaning
process, I have acquired his tools as well as tools that originally belonged
to his father.  Both he and his father were machinists at Brown and Sharpe
in Providence RI.  My father-in-law then went on to work for
McDonald-Douglas (spelling?) on the Mercury project.  So, over the years he
acquired machinists tools, drafting tools (lots of those!),a plethora of
cold chisels (I can't imagine anyone could need this many chisels!) and a
collection of other wrenches, pliers, gauges, etc.

Anyway, some of the tools are junk, but some of them seem to be more elegant
and pleasing to the eye and the hand.  THerefore, I began a search for
information leading me to the "porch."  And I must say, it has been a
pleasant discovery!  I don't always know what it is exactly that is being
discussed, but after a few notes, I at least get the gist of the topic!

Some of the tools, I am interested in selling, proceeds to go to my
mother-in-law.  (smith barney commercial plays in background, They didn't
plan to fail, they just failed to plan).

The others, I am interested in the history of the company of origin, as well
as the age, etc.

So, there it is.  Short story, the end.