I'm bored, what to do?

Sian inherited a huge chest of cabinet making tools that belonged to her grandfather. Among them was a combination plane with well over 100 assorted blades and attachments.

We gave them to a charity which sent them to artisans in Africa where there was no mains electricity. Seemed sensible to send them where they could do some good, rather than simply keep them for the sake of it.

They did actually get there too, as the charity sent us a photo of several workers examining the tools, and we recognised the chest.

Dave

My Grandmothers brother was a cabinet maker and I inherited his chest and tools (via my dad).  There were dozens of chisels, gouges, spokeshaves, planes, etc.  Woodworm got to most of them and they just turned to dust.  The few remaining are shown below - each with his name burned into it.

I gave all my dads automotive tools to my son a couple of years ago, broke my heart but I was never going to be able to use them again.

mikethebike wrote:Any one thought of  an Autobiography ?  It looks a lot of work to me.
I am short on patience so have not even started a model kit !!

Micky

Sorry to see your post has got buried in amongst the tools. Perhaps start a separate thread asking if anyone has considered it or even had a go at doing it and suggestions how to do it.

Well, I know how to start Paul.

"I was born at an early age, and at the time I was quite small."

It's following on from there that might prove difficult! 

I quite fancy an autobiography, just need to find someone to write it for me 

For reasons I won't go into, I have tried to write a limited account of part of my life. Not because it's interesting or eventful but to provide information that some family members may wish to have it in the future. Despite the fact that I spent a lot of my working life writing fairly lengthy reports, the process of documenting bits of your own history is not without challenge. It always seems easy in my head but it's not so easy getting it onto paper.

My father in law did this and it makes fascinating reading. He dictated his though and someone typed it up. Unless you are a fast writer or good on the keyboard I’d say that dictating, or simply speaking your thoughts into a recorder or onto your computer is the way to go.

What about spending a bit of time looking into your family history first ? I’ve been doing this for 50 years or so and it is very, very addictive and easy to get started.

My father wrote about our family history and I have looked up some of it. Sadly there are gaps that dont tie up. I really must try and finish the research. My great uncle was involved in the cinemas before the first world war. That must have some history worth loking into.
I woldnt want my Autobiography published it would unearth some skeletons I would prefer left buried from my time in the Army. Those were dark days, young and stupid comes to mind.

Seeing the carving tools that Peter has displayed, has rekindled my passion for wood carving. When I first retired, I spent many happy hours during the winter months in my chalet carving lime wood.

My avatar is a caricature carving by a famous American carver. He could also turn a small block of wood into something spectacular just using his hands and a very sharp penknife. He once sent me some sketches of some caricature ideas and how to learn the technique.

Good quality carving tools are expensive, so I guess it is time for me to sharpen mine up as I now have so much time on my hands.

I have been interested in Family History for a long time but I thought I had exhausted it, but in the garden this afternoon enjoying the sunshine a couple walking past were handing out leaflets of offering help with shopping and collecting prescriptions for people who were self isolating, Having a good old natter it was discovered that the young woman was a teacher who worked with our daughter and the young man with her was the son of my wife's cousin. Small world. We discovered quite a few relatives on both sides that neither of us knew. So back to research on the Family History and another couple of new acquaintances.