Ladies and gentleman, I’m honored to partake in this Bio.
For now I want to focus on the upgraded equipment I’ve recently acquired and develop some level of skill.
For many years my passion was working on my home. I love to tinker and claim the title “WW” very loosely. Working with heart and hand I want to do projects without standing on a ladder or rolling in insulation.
1. Name (and nick names)
Tyler J. Howell, T, Sugar Bear, and Captain Yummy.
2. DOB
2/20/53
3. Location (present and previous):
Born and raised in Minneapolis MN. I spent 9 months working in Africa. A lot of time in Oklahoma City for work, back packed and sailed in many parts of the world.
4. Tell us about your family:
My two best teachers are my daughters, Kirstin (med student) and Lyndsae (biomedical engineer/IT specialist). Harley’s my shop dog although he prefers to spend most of his time at a former SO’s house.
My dad was trained in carpentry at the local VoTec. He couldn’t get an apprenticeship. That was the way during the 40s in Minneapolis.
Mom was in nursing, physical therapy and an anesthetist. She worked with Sr. Kenny doing innovative work during the polio epidemic back in the 40s.
The most valuable WW lesson I learned from my dad was how not to care for your tools. (He let me play with them). My great grandfather on my mom’s side was a carpenter. He was said to be able to estimate to the nail the number needed for the construction of a house. Never had the opportunity to learn from him but I know his spirit is with me.
5. How do you earn a living, woodworking or other, any interesting previous occupations?
I’m a manager of technical operations for the FAA. I have 15 airports and 5 air traffic control towers to oversee.
I work in EMS (emergency medical services) in many capacities from provider to instructor. I’ve worked on 3 continents and five countries sharing important information on patient care. I specialize in heavy rescue and extrication.
I’m a PSIA certified ski instructor and former member of the National ski patrol.
I do some boat deliveries, installs, and rigging on sail boats.
I play a little music on the side. Great way to meet people.
6. Equipment overview (hand tools and other):
I am accumulating a nice assortment of planes, chisels, hammers and jigs for hand work from my on going rust hunt. I would tell shop keepers I am a student and they would fall all over themselves to help me out. I’ve learn to rehab and fettle my planes to produce some pretty nice light and fluffies
Electron burners. PM 66, DJ20 Jet14 BS, Jet DC, Perfomax 22/44 and a DW735, 16” Delta DP, and some too nice Festool long tailed wonders.
7. Describe your shop:
I have the whole basement of my home, about 800 sq ft. and I built a 22X24 garage that I use to dimension and store lumber.
8. Tell us about the hand planes you own, and your favorite one(s) to use:
I scored some Stanleys 3,4,5,6,7,8,& 80. LN, & LV planes including a LN 102, LN 60 ½ rabbet block, and York pitched # 4. I have a LV med shoulder plane, & LA Jack
My favorites are 1) LN 102, 2) Bedrock 506C, & 3) LV LA Jack,
9. Your favorite chisels:
I have some Erwin blues and some old Cmans.
I’m acquiring some very nice Iyoroi chisels from Japan.
10. Your favorite handsaw(s):
I prefer the eastern style but must admit I haven’t tried a good western saw.
11. Do you use western tools or Japanese, why do you prefer the ones you use:
Yes. Still learning.
12. Do you have a woodworking home page:
No
13. Do you have any influences in your work? Certain styles or designers you follow/prefer:
I’m most inspired by the tools and products of the common man. America and civilizations long before were built with hand tools
14. Do you have any ancestors who were woodworkers that served as inspiration?
I spoke of my G G Dad., My G dad was a jack of all trades and impressive to watch.
My dad maintained our home and that of his mother and aunt. He didn’t have a lot of tools but did the best he could with what he had.
15. What is your favorite neander project, or part of a project, you have ever done and why:
My only completely neander project is the one in progress. I’m making a Shaker table that should look like the one posted. (Demo table from the Neander Class I took last winter) My table is still a stack of parts. I have used the chisels, back saws and planes to cut, pare and shave trim work for my remuttling projects.
16. Do you believe there is any spiritual dimension to woodworking with hand tools?
Absolutely, the sounds, smells, aches, pains, and satisfaction can be nothing more than a spiritual experience.
17. How much of your work is done by hand tools.
Still a student I’m using the best tool for the job. A lot of my neander work is practice to learn the tools and their abilities. Our instructor emphasized that it was much easier and faster to grab a cordless than, set up a power tool, find an extension cord, do the task then clean up all the saw dust.
18. What is your single most favorite tool, and why.
The LN 102 makes me smile whenever I see it. The fit finish and results never fail to satisfy.
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Talk about a kid in a candy store!!! 
Originally Posted by Hank Knight
