Introduction

**Philip Davies** · Dec 4, 2015, 11:06 AM

Fraternal greetings!
I am a retired English teacher, burned out at 49. Fortunately I am a trained carpenter. I work as a volunteer for Christian Community Action, Reading, making & repairing furniture, some shop fitting, not so much now.
When I was a young man, I could not justify buying many tools. So I made a lot.
I built myself a forge, and that's my hobby.
I collect & refurbish tools for Workaid & Tools for Self Reliance, 2 charities here in the UK.
I know nothing about motor vehicles, hydraulics, pneumatics. But I perceive many of you are experts.

Philip Davies

**kbalch** · Dec 4, 2015, 12:14 PM

Hi Philip,

Welcome - glad to have you here!

Sounds as though you've an interesting set of activities and hobbies. Let's see a few photos of your forge setup and some of the tools you've built.

What are you working on at the moment?

Ken

**DIYer** · Dec 4, 2015, 08:56 PM

Hello Philip, welcome to the forums!

There are quite a number of woodworkers and metalworkers here too, so you should feel right at home.

**Philip Davies** · Dec 7, 2015, 04:50 PM

Thanks for this encouragement. Hope you like the photos. But 2 are inverted! How do I correct this?
I have some tools to show, but no tag fits. They are for lead working and are called bossing sticks or dressers. But I see that I may not start a new thread. Please advise.

**Philip Davies** · Dec 7, 2015, 04:55 PM

Thank you, Ken, for this encouragement. I imagine that you did not see my reply to your email. But I am getting used to the forum. At work today, I glued & nailed top & base to a toolbox for Africa and made a mock up for a blanket chest, selected material & started sawing (by hand) Tomorrow, God willing, I hope to continue chipping away at the small swage block I am doing at home.