Ok, proof

[John K Jordan]

Proof that I actually have a hand tool and in fact made some shavings. It's a cheap low-angle block plane, perfect for this job. The old deck is in piles and the new one up, I'm planing rough spots on the pine balusters before installing. Just 272 more to go.

hand-plane-on-deck.jpg

JKJ

[John Schtrumpf]

Do you have a nail head sticking up, to butt those balusters against?

[John K Jordan]

Do you have a nail head sticking up, to butt those balusters against?

A screw, if needed. Mostly I can hold them for minor smoothing. I installed about 50 so far and I "touched" up about a third of them.

JKJ

[James Pallas]

Proof that I actually have a hand tool and in fact made some shavings. It's a cheap low-angle block plane, perfect for this job. The old deck is in piles and the new one up, I'm planing rough spots on the pine balusters before installing. Just 272 more to go.

hand-plane-on-deck.jpg

JKJ

I did my deck about 4 years ago in the same fashion. I feel your pain. Big relief when the last baluster goes up.
Jim

[Mike Baker 2]

How do we know that is actually you?

[John K Jordan]

How do we know that is actually you?

Ah, good question, it might be ruse or a picture copied from Fine Homebuilding.

However, upon careful analysis there are some indicators in the photo.
hand_plane.jpg

Note the face, definitely not movie-star material.
Obviously elderly, can produce birth certificate on request.
Affidavit from son who took the photo. Rats, he refused to cooperate.
Sloppy beard, too lazy to trim properly.
Dorky sun hat, showin' wear from mow'n the fields and herding peacocks.
Prescription sun glasses from 5 years ago, too cheap to get new ones. Still good for hiding from creditors.
Note cheap Groz plane and questionable technique. Closer shots would reveal poor sharpening and rust on the plane.
Hands scarred and fingers bent from cuts and multiple breaks.
Worn out farm shirt, green as camouflage for sneaking up on rabbits in the garden and stained from changing oil in the tractor.
Portion of cheap electric fence tape and posts around horse fence in background.
Note hammer well used and chipped from building livestock shelters and beating on rocks.
And the ultimate indicator- the proud display of pieces of old deck still in the yard after a month of practiced laziness.

I rest my case.

JKJ

[Mike Baker 2]

I'd have to rest after I typed all that, too, lol.