Have you ever been curious about people who rarely throw anything away and scabage for things that may be useful in the future? They usually have a plan or belief in their destiny.
I’m that way with my 1915 beveling equipment. It has five large wheels on cast iron bases and numerous attachments for special angles and effects. While most bevelers have adapted to the new diamond wheels, which are faster but give the glass a machine look, I stay true to the old wheels and grits and polishing compounds for a proper authentic look in my work.
This is my contribution to salvaging, maintaining, and making available a way of the past for the few who appreciate the marks of a craftsman.
John has a very similar approach to work and life. We incorporate many techniques that require a unique tool, jig, or gadget to help us make our work exceptional. Most of the time, we want to save money for something other than new equipment. This is where our collection of found objects comes into play.
Need an anvil? John shows up with a cut-off railroad rail. Need a steel table to weld on? John found one years ago and stored it in his garage.
An old oversized beach umbrella for a hot July day? A make-shift tool for removing oil filters? A cut-off ladder, hammers like I have never seen, and old pipe wrenches that actually work.
I’m especially fond of the miniature tool kit he carries on his belt. If you have a problem, John can fix it. The man is a walking mechanical engineer with tools.