A Galoot Goes Through Stages...
This was presented on The Porch yesterday by Malcolm Thomas. I don't know if it is original content by him, but he gets credit here for posting it. Thought it worth passing on for introspection as well as entertainment!
DISCLOSURE: I made slight edits for typos…
A galoot goes through stages:
1 - I want to make something from wood;
2 - Buy all the tailed goods that modern marketing says you 'need';
3 - Discover that electric powered tenon saws didn't always exist, so buy a handsaw (probably a blunt one);
4 - Search for answers to 'how could anyone ever have made a house/table/chair with this; discover The Porch;
5 - Experience using a simple, sharp chisel/plane/saw for the first time;
6 - Realize that old tools are good tools, but need knowledge and a bit of skill to sharpen and use, returning oceans of satisfaction whenever you make anything, from sawdust to sideboards;
7 - Buy old tools wherever you see them - to rescue them - because they are better than your current user, or just to check them out;
8 - Buy more tools, because you can, and they have interesting shapes, and design, and makers;
9 - Buy even more tools, neglect making stuff because you are fettling tools;
10 - Enjoy owning all those tools. Pause and think…. Hmmmm… do I want to make things with my new skill, knowledge and deep rooted satisfaction, no ear muffs, Mozart / Led Zeppelin on the radio, no fears of limb loss, [but band-aids handy];
11 - Create a cabinetmaker's set of few well-tune honed tools appropriate for my particular interest, and enjoy sawdust for ever and a day. Buy better as they appear, and release the less good;
or,
I realize the importance of hand tools that created our society, our artifacts, and that reflect changes in culture and technology;
11 - fill in the gaps in the sets, appreciate the creation, preservation, and reuse of the tools;
or
do something of both 10 and 11.
================================
I know where I am on the list. sigh
This was presented on The Porch yesterday by Malcolm Thomas. I don't know if it is original content by him, but he gets credit here for posting it. Thought it worth passing on for introspection as well as entertainment!
DISCLOSURE: I made slight edits for typos…
A galoot goes through stages:
1 - I want to make something from wood;
2 - Buy all the tailed goods that modern marketing says you 'need';
3 - Discover that electric powered tenon saws didn't always exist, so buy a handsaw (probably a blunt one);
4 - Search for answers to 'how could anyone ever have made a house/table/chair with this; discover The Porch;
5 - Experience using a simple, sharp chisel/plane/saw for the first time;
6 - Realize that old tools are good tools, but need knowledge and a bit of skill to sharpen and use, returning oceans of satisfaction whenever you make anything, from sawdust to sideboards;
7 - Buy old tools wherever you see them - to rescue them - because they are better than your current user, or just to check them out;
8 - Buy more tools, because you can, and they have interesting shapes, and design, and makers;
9 - Buy even more tools, neglect making stuff because you are fettling tools;
10 - Enjoy owning all those tools. Pause and think…. Hmmmm… do I want to make things with my new skill, knowledge and deep rooted satisfaction, no ear muffs, Mozart / Led Zeppelin on the radio, no fears of limb loss, [but band-aids handy];
11 - Create a cabinetmaker's set of few well-tune honed tools appropriate for my particular interest, and enjoy sawdust for ever and a day. Buy better as they appear, and release the less good;
or,
I realize the importance of hand tools that created our society, our artifacts, and that reflect changes in culture and technology;
11 - fill in the gaps in the sets, appreciate the creation, preservation, and reuse of the tools;
or
do something of both 10 and 11.
================================
I know where I am on the list. sigh