Well it is time to introduce myself.  I have been lurking since March last
year, in an effort to become familiar with the list.  I'm still glad I
found Old Tools.

I have been around tools for quite a while, since my father has worked in
the construction trade all his life.  I guess you could say I received an
appreciation for woodworking through osmosis.  I spent many a day with my
dad "at the job" helping install.  Mostly I would be there as an extra set
of hands, and to help with the clean up.  But it was just great with me,
cause it meant I was able to spent time with him, when he was otherwise
quite busy.

Because of this relationship, we spent tons of time talking about
woodworking.  Dad came from the old country, where he went to trade school
to learn carpentry.  The learning was all done with hand tools first, and
only if you mastered the tools, could you use the p*w*r tools which were
used in the industry, where time is of importance.  The skills came first.

This picture of skill has always stayed with me.  I am now at a point where
I might actually have the time (OK, not much time, 5 kids see to that!)  to
develop the skills he has always professed must come first.  I want to do
this for my own enjoyment, not for speed or profit.  So what better option
than old tools.  This list has been a constant source of motivation and
information.  A few tools, a project, and a jump onto the slope.

Thanks for the allowing me on the porch, and I hope some day I will be able
to add to the discussions as my confidence and skill grow.  Thanks, Dad,
for the time you took to interest me in woodworking, and putting things in
the right priority.
John De Vries
johndv@e...