What are the most important attributes for a tool builder?

[kbalch]

It's a tough one to put into a few words, but I'll try: Ingenuity, creativity, craftsmanship, independence, and a passion for the elegant solution.

Sounds as though many of us found the spark as children. I wonder if we were inspired by people and events in our early lives or if there was something more innate that merely found encouragement and room to grow. The old nature vs. nurture philosophical digression…

I had all the usual building toys (Legos, Lincoln Logs, TinkerToys, Erector Set, etc.) and was a dedicated model builder (cars, planes, and rockets) throughout my childhood. From the time I was five or six, when a new item came into the house requiring assembly (BBQ, lawnmower, bookshelf, whatever…), I was the one who figured it out and put it together. My father, sadly, was not up to it, so I have no idea where I got the inclination/ability.

I've always loved mechanical things, almost without exception. All vehicles, engines, watches, pens, guns, et al. I like seeing how things are made and applying different learned techniques to future projects of my own. As others have said, there's also a tremendous satisfaction found in using something I've built myself.

Perhaps ironically, while I believe in doing things "right" and not rushing, I can be really impatient and am sometimes frustrated when a project is proceeding slowly. I suppose that, as much as I enjoy the building process, it's all about the end result for me. I build stuff I want and the ends are the object of the exercise, not the means.

I've been online a long time (30+ years - since before there was a "web"; only a number of dial-up BBSs and academic nets) and am thrilled with how easy it's become to share information amongst those with similar interests, whatever they may be. Thanks for being here, guys, and for contributing so much to our community.

Ken