OldTools Archive

Recent Bios FAQ

184242 "Dave? Hahn" <jdhahn@g...> 2008‑10‑30 updated Bio: David Hahn
Hello, my name is Dave Hahn and I like the smell of BLO...

It's been just shy of 3 years since I posted my first bio (seems like
its been longer than that).

For now I'm on the younger side of the porch dwellers (I'll be 33 in
March). However, its good to see some twenty-somethings creep in every
once in a while.

Still living in St. Louis, married, *still* working on that first GIT
(don't get me started on our trials and tribulations in that area).
Still writing software for plant breeding, although now I'm working more
directly with some Ph.D's and even more in depth in the science.

I've unfortunately developed a reputation at work for being somewhat of
a curmudgeon with respect to using new software technologies (Seriously,
has anyone used Spring for anything other than unnecessarily
complicating a piece of software, geez). So, I should probably not let
of that my idea of a great new tool is something made no later than
WWII. New isn't bad per se, it just often isn't much better than that
which has come before.

Riding the bikes a bit more now, the metro-link (public transit train,
Jeff) is 1 mile from my house.

I do most of my woodworking completely by hand. I have some smaller
p*w*r tools, but mainly I like the piece and quiet. Also my shop is in
the basement and my wife thinks I'm being really loud when I'm doing
some ripping by hand. "I need to shave just a bit off the edge, let me
fire up my rowtah. Brrrwaaah!!!". Not.

Never did complete that entryway bench I mentioned in my first bio.
Hah!, that project might never see the light of day.

I have actually completed a couple of projects since then, mostly all
small though. Off the top of my head are, a couple of small boxes for
gifts, a comically small bedside table, a short coat rack, a picture
frame, some misc trays for the shop.

I have the wood stacked up (southern yellow pine (midwestern floor
joists, Jeff)) waiting on some free time to build a real bench. I'll be
using one of Chris Schwarz's designs he's been writing about recently. I
have his book on the subject, its quite good.

Since the original bio, I've built up a reasonable stable of metal
planes, and have acquired a basic set of handsaws (which I sharpen
myself, at least adequately). I finally got that brace and some bits.
However, you can never have too many tools.

I built one of the Hock low angle project planes (I've been meaning to
post some pics at least....), and have a couple of wooden planes, one of
which is in working condition. So I'm headed down that road slowly.

I've been thinking about building a dovetailed infill block plane
(something simple) and doing some other tool making whatnot. I've made
a very simple edge float, scratch stock (version 2), and a goofy
dovetailed dovetail marker. I think I enjoy tool making as much as
tool using.

I'd like to do a little blacksmithing, but maybe just be able to
generate enough heat to treat a blade for something or perhaps some
backyard aluminum casting. The whole bootstrap concept of the Gingery
series of metalworking tools is fascinating.

I've been gathering a bit of local green wood as things are cut down or
storms take stuff out. Mostly smaller pieces more suitable for turning
or small boxes than lumber. I've lost several rounds of stuff to some
woodboring insects before I learned to at least strip the bark off the
chunks ASAP. I finally did get a crappy wedge and sledgehammer big
enough to split some larger 18inch diameter mulberry chunks from my
neighbor (only about 2 to 3 feet long though). However I've been
wondering what a froe or adze would do for me as far as making it into
more usable wood.

I scavenge a bit here and there, and I keep meaning to hit some local
yard sales, but never quite make it. I've picked up most of my tools
either new or from various monthly FS messages.

At some point, I'd like to make it to a face to face (meatspace for all
those cyberpunk fans) galoot gathering, especially since there have been
some as close as Chicago, etc. But you know how that goes... one day.

Wow, reading back over that, its no wonder I don't get much done in the
shop, I'm all over the place. Good old Gen X attention span.

Even though I'm pretty quiet on the list, I'm quite happy to have found
such a great group of interesting people. Also it's nice to have a
place where, "look at my 100 year old hand plane" doesn't illicit
strange looks :)

David Hahn (aka D?)
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Recent Bios FAQ