Mike Williams
01-13-2006, 12:46 PM
After following this forum for about a month, I decided it was time to jump in. I've been impressed by the knowledge and skills you all have, and the fun you obviously have in sharing them.
We moved from Michigan to Manchester, England two years ago, and then to Dublin, Ireland a year ago. What started out to be a 12 - 15 month international assignment now looks like it will run three years. The good news is that we have thoroughly enjoyed our time in the UK and Ireland. The bad news is that my tools I have with me consist of one bag with a hammer, tape measure, and some pliers, screwdrivers and wrenches (spanners over here). I have a good day if I can get out the hammer and drive a nail in the wall to hang a picture.
My real tools are in storage or with family back in the US - including a PM 66 table saw, a PM 54A jointer, band saw, planer, Shopsmith, etc. I'm assured they are well loved and getting good use back there.
I know you all like to see pictures, so I'll include one of a toddler's chair I made a couple of years ago for my older grandson (he's also in the picture). It's cherry, with a shellac and wax finish. The original design was by my grandfather back about 1945. He based it on the height of a step in his house in the kitchen where my sister and cousin sat when they were very small.
My father modified the design, as did I when I started to make them. We call them "Pa's Chairs", the name my father and I both chose to use as grandfathers ourselves.
My new tool is AutoCad. I'm starting to layout my dream shop for our return to Michigan when I retire next year. I'll share it for your comments and suggestions a little later on this year.
We moved from Michigan to Manchester, England two years ago, and then to Dublin, Ireland a year ago. What started out to be a 12 - 15 month international assignment now looks like it will run three years. The good news is that we have thoroughly enjoyed our time in the UK and Ireland. The bad news is that my tools I have with me consist of one bag with a hammer, tape measure, and some pliers, screwdrivers and wrenches (spanners over here). I have a good day if I can get out the hammer and drive a nail in the wall to hang a picture.
My real tools are in storage or with family back in the US - including a PM 66 table saw, a PM 54A jointer, band saw, planer, Shopsmith, etc. I'm assured they are well loved and getting good use back there.
I know you all like to see pictures, so I'll include one of a toddler's chair I made a couple of years ago for my older grandson (he's also in the picture). It's cherry, with a shellac and wax finish. The original design was by my grandfather back about 1945. He based it on the height of a step in his house in the kitchen where my sister and cousin sat when they were very small.
My father modified the design, as did I when I started to make them. We call them "Pa's Chairs", the name my father and I both chose to use as grandfathers ourselves.
My new tool is AutoCad. I'm starting to layout my dream shop for our return to Michigan when I retire next year. I'll share it for your comments and suggestions a little later on this year.