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84311 "Charles Sharp" csharp@m... 2000‑09‑29 Bio
After contributing to controversy on the porch,I guess I should fill in my
Bio. I am Charles A. Sharp,known to most as Charlie.I am 68 years old & have
had a varied life.I spent years as a metal worker;Refrigeration Tech. and
operated several businesses.I took time out to spend 22 years as a Police
Officer. 18 years as Detective.During all of that time I maintained a love
of old tools of all kinds.I am a user,rather than just a collector.I
buy,research,tune up & try to learn proper use of same.
    I buy & repair antique furniture that has been busted up.I try to
duplicate the original methods of work & equipment as closely as I can.I
build quite a bit of furniture on custom order.I enjoy it,have been at it a
long time. I do not claim to be expert in any part of the process,but hope
to continue to learn for as long as my Maker allows.
   The Porch has been a great learning source from me. I have found through
the years that regardless how much knowledge we have on any subject,it is
possible to learn more.Sometimes from the strangest sources.I have an
extensive library on the OLD methods. Not enough on the Old equipment.I have
a good freind who has a couple used book stores. He knows my likes in the
tyopes of books I seek & helps build my library.I do the repair & building
of his display units as well as design & build to his specs,stuff for
portable use at Book & Paper Shows.
    I do all kinds of woven seats & teach the craft.I have taught several
people what I could on the furntiture building trade.I am presently teaching
my oldest daughter & she loves it.Using some power tools but mostly older
hand tools she has built a beautiful sewing rocker from an 1850
pattern;several other pieces as well.She rummages through my supply of
furniture salvage parts & adds to them to create new items.
    I am an avid Genealogy researcher. I have saws;planes & an old Stanley
Wood level that has come through at least three generationms of my family.I
use them regularly,as I do nearly every item I own.I go overboard on many
items as many of you probably do.(Last year I counted & promptly sold off
over half of a collection of about 800 screwdrivers.So I guess that tells a
little about me.) As for education,I have no degree but I have accumulated
over 2,000 hours of College study.I had no desire to add a degree to my
resume,since I generally worked for myself. When I found a need in an area,I
proceeded to satisfy that need asap.Hence the many hours of study.
    I enjoy helping others when I can & am a little more inclined to listen
rather than speak.When I do speak,I can get carried away.Nuff said.
   Thanks for all that each of you have contributed to my education.
Charles A. "Charlie" Sharp



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