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120496 "Richard J. Hucker" <colhuck@n...> 2003‑07‑30 My Bio - Col. Huck
Greetings to the Porch:

I was born in 1935. Raised on a farm in Indiana. When I was old enough, Dad
taught me to crank up the old iron wheeled Ford Ferguson tractor. He also
taught me how to keep my thumb out of the way so the kick back wouldn't
break my thumb. Oh yes, it did give quite a kick. Especially if you forgot
to just crack the throttle on the steering column and retard the spark. The
spark lever is only pulled down when the engine gives the first indication
that she will start. I forgot twice as I recall, and was thrown to the
ground holding a very sore arm all the way up to the shoulder. I was a
bright kid but it still took two such events before I got the message.Those
were lean years and Dad and Mom would visit the local auction almost every
week to buy what we needed for the farm.

Almost everything was operated with a crank. The "23" and "27" Model T's
were started with a crank. Even the later model cars in the "30's" had a
crank in the trunk for a spare. Dad was in the car business after WWII so we
always had an abundance of old cars around the farm. An interesting aside. .
. the "23' T had an after market distributor and a starter. But it still had
the crank hanging on the front below the radiator. Usually, one quick spin
and she would start.

The old grindstone out in the back yard had a crank. The corn sheller had a
crank. The hay rake had a crank adjustment, the two bottom plow had a crank
to adjust the depth. We didn't have electricity as we know it. But we did
have an old Delco plant that ran off of a gas engine to turn the generator.
It had several storage batteries wired in a series. That old unit provided
enough juice to light the farm house and the barn. Yep, the gas engine was
hand cranked too. The old Victor Victrolia had a crank, the cream separator
had a crank, and the old oak phone on the wall had a crank. Our number was
79J and we answered at three long and two short rings. Cranks were very
popular then. So were the Aladdin oil lamps that we used when the power was
out. That was often. I still have one of the old lamps I used to study by.

The cows were automatic. You set the milk stool on the right side of the cow
and milked the teats (we called them tits) on the right side first. They you
automatically milked the two on the udder side. No crank involved at all.

Dad had a number of hand tools he bought at the farm auction that he
attended about every week during the war years. I recall a breast drill, a
couple of eggbeater drills, bench planes, draw knives, saws, hammers,
farrier tools for shoeing the horses. We had six horses. We started with two
horses. One named . . . you guessed it. Nellie. She was a work horse we used
to plow the 5 acre garden. The others were riding horses we took in on trade
for a new car along with a "32" Chevy in good condition.

Along the way I built a number of things with the old hand tools. I learned
carpentry, plumbing, electrical, farming and other trades by watching and
working with my Dad. He didn't have much to do in training me to shovel
manure. We had lots of it. He would just tell me where to put it.  My
brother still has the old gun rack I built with simple tools. I'm still not
sure why he has it instead of me. I guess he just claimed it and I didn't
think it was worth shooting him over it.

I served in the Navy for four years active and four years inactive reserve.
So why the Colonel title . . . we'll get to that. In total I spent over
twenty years in government service, and twenty eight years in the banking
industry, retiring as a Sr. V.P.

I currently have a pretty complete shop with a table saw, band saw, router
table, miter saw, floor sander, jointer/planner, drill press, and a
assortment of routers, drills, circular saws, and other power tools. And I
use sandpaper too.

In a separate room I store and use the hand tools we all love. The planes,
draw knives, spokeshaves, eggbeaters, hand saws, English Bow saws, fret
saws, augers and all the rest including a bench of my own design. We have
several grandchildren. So it is not possible for me  to make just one
rocking horse, or one children's chair, stool or doll house. If I am to
finish any of these projects on time . . . (their time schedule). . . the
power tools are used as needed. But, like all of you, I love the old hand
tools and use them as the mood strikes me or as is more appropriate for the
job at hand.

I watch Norm whenever I can. I watch Roy Underhill and am always amazed at
how easy he makes it look. I watch the Router
Workshop and any other woodshop related shows. I learn from them all.

I only have a handful of old tools with genuine "Patina". These tools will
never see anything but wax.  Most tools I get are dirty, grungy, rusty, and
with other forms of what some call patina. All of these tools are thoroughly
cleaned or completely restored. I like rust when rust hunting . . . I don't
like rust on the tools I keep.

My life is one of honesty and integrity. I tell it like it is. I use the
right tool for the job and I don't pretend that my shop has no electricity.
I just happen to love old tools. But that doesn't stop me from admiring the
red gas powered Porsche my neighbor just bought. There are a number of
traditionalist out there like the "Hippy" from Happy Camp. But most of us
have an electric powered TV set, and perhaps even a computer that is not
powered by a crank. We just happen to love old tools.

We sold the "T" Model and we drive a late model car without a crank. The
wife uses an electric stove and other electric appliances. When "Nellie"
died I replaced her with a 18.5 h.p. tractor with an electric starter and
headlights. Nellie never had lights so we only worked her in the daytime.

Oh yes, the Colonel title. Several years ago I did some pro bono work for
the Commonwealth of Kentucky. I was glad to help them and felt honored that
they asked. I assisted them with programs that I designed  . . . then we
tailor made the programs to fit their situation. Several weeks later I
received a nice letter from the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky
with a handsome framed Commission as a Kentucky Colonel. The Commission is
the highest honor awarded by the State of Kentucky and it is given in
recognition of one's contribution to the community, the State and the
Nation. A list of Kentucky Colonel's include such distinguished leaders such
as Lyndon B. Johnson, Winston Churchill, John Glenn, John Wayne, and of
course, let's not forget Colonel Harland Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken
fame. So, what does all this mean. Well, It means that I can legally use the
title of Colonel . . . and I do. It also means I can open my own fried
chicken joint.

There are many of you that can sit backwards straddling a straight back
chair. At my age my back prefers a rocker. So if there is a spare rocker on
the porch I will join you from time to time. What I like is the straight
talk from many of you. I am still learning and so many of you have a lot of
technical expertise to offer.

God bless you all, you're a great group.

Regards,
Colonel Dick Hucker (Huck)



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