I checked the Galoot's bio page, both to check out my holiday gift target,
and get an idea for what the bio's are supposed to look like. What do I
find but another Jo(h)n McCoy. Although his bio is a lot like mine, he's
nearly at the opposite end of the US. Anyways, here's mine:
I'm a computer nerd, living in the mountains east of Seattle. After
dealing with insolent technology all day, I've found wood to be quite
relaxing for me. It's tempting to bring a few large mallets to work one
day, and deal with the computers in a neader way, just for the satisfying
"thud" I expect they'd make.
I've just recently gotten the handtools bug, thanks to one of the local
Woodcraft salesguys talking me into trying hand-sawn dovetails, instead of
buying yet another router jig and bit set. Granted, after bungling them
for a whole weekend (even with Tage's book), I ended up using a tailed
router, just to finish the project. But, I'm still trying to get them
right -- it's all about the journey, right? Besides, Grandfather has a
nice collection of handtools I hope to deserve, some day.
Using my first handplane was another story altogether. I bought a LN 62,
which is still my favorite plane to use (and least favorite to sharpen).
I've since picked up user-grade 4c, 5, and 7c planes, as well as
new/crappy Buck Bros smoother and block planes (had to learn myself, I
guess). Now I've no shortage of fire tinder, as there's always a bucket
or two of shavings in the shop -- and those arm muscles are less tired, as
I get better at planing planks. It's a lot of fun to take a plank down to
paper, for the raw joy of it. I still get that A-ha! feeling when I get
the planing just right, and the curlies start to hang in the air.
I mostly entertain myself in the shop by trying to build furniture -- the
result of having several empty rooms in the house, I expect. I'm not
weaned off tailed apprentices entirely, but I'm learning to appreciate
hand-smoothed surfaces, and being able to hear the radio while I work.
Norm now makes me giggle, as he reaches for a jigsaw to finish the last
1/2" of a tablesawn inside corner. Even SWMBO is starting to get the
joke, as we watch St. Roy together every Saturday morning.
My next project will be a proper bench -- I'm aiming for "Bob & Dave's
Beginner Bench" at www.terraclavis.com/bws/beginners.htm -- that's better
suited for a galoot's needs. The one I built a few years ago is the
proper height for a bench grinder, but it's tough to plane a plank at
chest height. Once that's done, I expect it'll be all downhill sliding,
and I'll have to start on a toolchest for all the antique toys I want.
-jon-
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