I guess its my turn to introduce myself. I spend most of my available time
lurking, but I will jump in every now and then. I really don't know how you
people find the time to interact with these newsgroups and mailing lists; I
barely have time to keep up with reading them.
I'll admit, my interest in woodworking started by watching Norm (duck!).
However, at the time, I was in graduate school, so I didn't have the time or
the money to pursue what I imagined to be and expensive hobby, so I just
watched. Fast forwarding a few years, I ended up in Williamsburg, VA. I saw
an advertisement for a woodworking class through the college of William and
Mary and I figured it was as good a time as any to pursue my woodworking
interest. It turns out that the class was taught by one of the journeyman
cabinetmakers for Colonial Williamsburg, and of course, it was all about hand-
tool joinery. I've been hooked since. I currently own a mix of hand and
power tools. The only big power tools that I own are a table saw, a planer,
and a lathe. I do everything else with had tools and a portable drill. (A
brace and set of bits are next on my wish list).
I enjoy having the CW cabinet shop close by for advice and inspiration. I
recently picked up a wooden, skew-bladed rabbit plane at a local antique
store and I just couldn't figure out how to use it properly. I didn't have a
fence and attaching a fence next to the rabbit seemed like a lot of work for
a simple rabbit, so I took the plane to CW and they showed me how to use it
correctly. You first scribe or pencil your line for the rabbit and freehand
plane about an 1/8 of an inch proud of the line. When you have the desired
depth, you then turn the plane 90 degrees so the side of the plane rides in
the rabbit that you just made. Then just plane to the original line. It was
so simple, but I would have never thought of that. If you have never visited
Colonial Williamsburg, I would highly recommend it. And if you do, drop me a
line and I will get you discount tickets and show you my modest shop.
By day, I am an aerospace engineer between layoffs. In fact, I've been so
frustrated with my day job that I am considering a career change that
involves woodworking. There is a new franchise business called the
Woodworker's Club that is like a health club for woodworkers. They provide a
workshop with tools, training, and project supplies for those who want to
pursue woodworking but don't have the money for all the tools or the space at
home for a shop. I know that this is a haven for Normites, but I promise
that I will teach hand tool methods also. In fact, I hope to get the same CW
cabinetmaker to teach the classes.
Well, I've rambled enough.
Chris
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