Jim55

I am a disabled vet forced into early "retirement" by said disability. I have done a lot of things over the years but, I usually was working with my hands. My last 15 years of employment was as a machinist. Still, I have always liked working with wood. I also dabble in carving and making canes and such things. Having a barn to work in we have been gradually adding a machine here and a tool there. Well, we finally decided to chuck it all and 'build' a shop. Should have it 'finished' any day. That will satisfy my need to work with my hands as well as I can, teach my sons valuable skills and maybe make a buck or two here and there along the way.
I also am old fashioned and like hand tools too. I not only have hand saws, draw knives, brace and bits and such like, I hope for us to build and use some things like a treadle lathe. I do like to know how to make do w/out the wonder of modern technology. A hurricane left us w/out electricity for a couple weeks a few years back. It caused us very little inconvenience. Of course, living in the country sure helps!