G'day all,
I have been lurking for about a couple of weeks now, and
have been negligent in writing this up.
I grew up in the South East of South Australia, in a place called
Mount Gambier. I have been interested in woodwork, and building
things since childhood. I left there at 18 to go to University at
Monash Uni, in Melbourne Victoria.
I began University as an engineering student, but then switched over
to science. After 9 years at uni, I ended up with a BSc in
pharmacology/toxicology, immunology and reproductive physiology. I
then did Honours in pharmacology, and finally went of to do a PhD in
pharmacology (finished approx 12 months ago).
I am currentlyemployed as a postdoctoral research fellow at
the Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, where we study
reproduction.
Unfortunately due to Uni, the woodwork suffered, mainly due to the
lack of a workshop. Really got back into it approx 7 yrs ago on a
small scale, and things improved greatly about 5yrs ago when I moved
into a place with a garage.
Im a bit of a hoarder, and so the garage is of course too small, but
then again who's isn't.
I am mainly a hobbiest woodworker who prefers using hand tools when
they can do the job and I love to use hand tools whenever possible. I
mainly make furniture , and do woodturning for my wife and I, but
also take on commission work when asked. As far as old tools go, I
prefer these, as I feel that they are better made than most of the
modern ones, and I enjoy tuning them to their intended capability,
usually just a good clean and sharpen. I dont really have a
collection protocol etc, I just accumulate tools that are interesting
to me, have a history of somesort, and usually tools that I have a
use for. I don't collect them to be tucked away in a cabinet. Most
are woodworking tools, but also some machinists/metalworking tools,
whatever takes my fancy really.Unfortunately If I got things when I
WANTED them, rather than when I needed tham I would A) be broke, and
B) be inundated with more tools than I could imagine, have to move
house!.
There are a few tool collectors clubs here in Melbourne, but they
meet infrequently, etc.
I would be keen to hear from others in Melbourne who are interested
in old tools, not necessarily just hand tools.
Cheers
Steven
Melbourne Australia
__________________________________________________________________
Steven Thomas PhD
Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research
Level 4, Block E
Monash Medical Centre
Clayton, Victoria 3168.
AUSTRALIA
Tel: 61-3-9550 4380
Fax: 61-3-9550 6125
email: Steven.Thomas@m...
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