Hi All,
My mother gave me 2 (hey! I just noticed...Computers don't have a "cents" character like the old typewriters) cents to purchase a hammer, my first tool. I purchased it from my father. I don't know how old I was...but we moved from that house when I turned age 5.
I've been around tools all of my life. The tools were for cars, model airplanes, electronics, etc. Very little was done with wood. The wood projects were things like a bookcase I couldn't afford to buy, a work bench (used for almost anything except wood), a door to the studio, etc.
My son, Glenn Bradley, is the one that enticed me into woodworking about a year ago. I'm very glad because we have a father/son thing going on this. However, we work the opposite of the other people who made entries on this thread. Glenn is teaching and educating me, his father. It is rough going for him too. Even though I am (scratch that and substitute was) a genius, like the rest of the family, I am now 82 and I am sure Glenn is tempted to use a large hammer to drive facts into my head. We talk on the phone almost every day and sometimes several times a day
I am accumulating tools as fast as possible. The Wood Working Show last March got me into enough tools that I could make something. However, it has mainly been installing DC, designing shop, etc. Am going for lumber tomorrow to build laundry cabinets for the LOML, Myrna and to build a woodworking bench. Like most people, I have enough vices...however, I don't have a bench to put them on.
I have purchased several books, take several woodworking magazines, and get my tax money's worth, borrowing books from the library.
It is scary thinking that I am actually going to build something that is going to have tolerances, need to function well, not be a disgrace cosmetically, etc.
Remember, experience is the best teacher. Trouble is that it is so expensive.
Enjoy,
Jim