In the beginning...there was a box. It was a lonely box, cold and scantily clad for two days and two nights awaiting its fate. And lo, on the third day, 5 woodworkers (and a supportive spousal helper as well as two young maidens) arose from their anxious slumber to behold the box and its contents, bringing the box's long journey from a land far away to its final climax...my shop.
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Let me begin by offering my profound thanks to my friends, Robert Tarr, Fred Voorhees, Joanne Adler and Chris and Dawn Lambert for their help this past Saturday. There is no way I could have accomplished in many days what this merry band accomplished in just a few hours. At first you might think that Saturday, 3 February 2007 was about a new tool. Not! It was about a bunch of woodworkers having a great time together, despite the 19ºF temperature when we got started and the "Ode du Kerosene" we all left with at the end of the day. Joanne's fresh brownies weren't bad, either... An extra thank you goes to Robert for meeting me bright and early to pick up the pallet jack rental and then returning it for me on the way home later in the day. Robert is both a co-worker and a good friend and my appreciation goes deep on both accords.
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Now...getting down to what folks have been chomping at the bit for, in this and the following 12 posts are a total of 61 photos that were taken throughout the day on Saturday as well on Sunday when I was working on adjustments, etc. In addition to those I shot, Robert, Joanne and Chris all picked up the camera at just the right times so that I can share the experience we all had with the SMC community...a not-quite "you were there" moment!
Robert and I got started by un-tarping the big brown box. All attempts at untying the ropes that made up for the lack of bungee-cords failed...freezing rain does not make a cooperative knot in cheap clothes-line. A utility knife was not affected by the cold, however...
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At that point, the rest of the gang had arrived and it was time to "decant" the saw from it's wrapper.
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We all got into the act after I made the ceremonial first knife-slashing and box ripping...here, Fred lends a hand.
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