The holiday season is officially over here. The kids have flown back to Texas
and Quebec. Jim O’Brien, Galootaclaus’ helper, came through nicely this year.
Upon opening the box, I caught the briefest of glimpses of really spiffy #3
Shaker oval box—-as my darling wife whisked it away. Really nice chatoyance in
the grain.
There was a Fulton #4 transitional: it will make a nice addition to the Scout-
safe kit that I’ve been putting together for youth to work with. It’s really
cool for them to work with tools that are older than their great-grandparents.
The leather punches will be handy for some of their merit badge projects. I’ll
try letting them have a go at the Yankee #41 drill. It blows their minds that
non-digital, non-number technology like the marking gauge are actually
efficient. I think the wider fence will help.
I’ve always wanted to try out a stirrup/Connecticut adze. Now I get the
chance.
A big chunk of tool turned out to be a user-made fluting plane. I bet the extra
mass makes it easier to control. The ¼” of brass plate that makes the working
surface won’t hurt, either.
Thanks and happy holidays to all!
Buz Buskirk
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