OldTools Archive

Recent Bios FAQ

-613 Bob Roche <BROCHE@m...> 1970‑01‑01 Past due bio
I finally found a couple of minutes to write up this
humble view of myself.  

I believe strongly  in body, mind and spirit. To support
these values,  I pray every day, work out every other
day and exercise my mind constantly at work as a
Systems Analyst.  I like to snow ski in the winter and
water ski in the summer.

For about 25 years I've been a disciple of Norm (that
was even before Norm was "Norm").  Used to be that
when I started working in the shop the value of Niagra
Mohawk stock would automatically jump several
points.  If it used power I had it.  Except for a planer.  I
don't know why I never got one,  somehow I guess I
thought sanding was OK.

I've built many pieces of furniture for myself, family,
and friends.  I even started a woodworking business
for about a year, but decided I liked the leisure of a
hobby better than the pressure of a business.

I haven't built furniture for about six years now.  I spent
three years rebuilding our house.  God love Mary Ann
for putting up with me.  We lived in the mess of the
construction.  After finishing that project I began
building a house on property that we've been blessed
with up in the Adirondacks (Long Lake).  Both of these
projects have been taking all of my spare time.  

Luckily my job for this winter is to build the kitchen
cabinets.  This is a really fun project, especially since
I've been using it to learn how to use the several
planes that I have acquired. These are Bailey #3, #6
and a no name block plane that I rebuilt with one of
Ron's irons.  I'm really hooked now, and I spend time
looking for things to plane.  Is there a ridge in that
board, maybe that piece is out of square, or wait ... is
that a ding in the wood (I'm using pine so dings are
easy to find).

Several weeks ago I tried my first hand cut dovetail. 
What a horrible mess.  This weekend I should have
time to try it again after reading up on some
technique.  

On another subject.  Some of you may recognize the
name Roche.  Jim Roche, the eminent keeper of the
Woodworking FAQ at Rochester, is my brother.  I
taught him everything he knows (read another Norm). 
Actually his quality and craftsmanship have
surpassed mine some time ago.

In any case that's my sad story.  I am mostly a lurker. 
However, I'm sure to have neophyte questions and
comments from time to time.  As I learn things I like to
share them with others.  Of course, I'm sure that in
most  cases this will be at a level far below the ability
of most people on this list.  I'm also sure that you'll
knock me over the porch rail if I get out of line. 


Bob Roche
Albany, NY
broche@m...


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Recent Bios FAQ