tools

the last time i went to the dumps i passed a flea market at the local grange. after i finished recycling and dumping i stopped in to check out the market. nothing much caught my eye til i was near the end of the line of vendors. there was a utility trailer and a large table both covered with vintage hand tools in great condition. clean, sharp edges where appropriate, wooden handles oiled, rustless. i knew there was something there for me. hammers of all sizes, screwdrivers galore, wrenches, drill bits, saws both wood and hack. well, as much as i like that stuff i am already full up on all of those things. when i got to the last display i saw my prize.

this is a jig for holding a file in the correct attitude to sharpen chain saw teeth. yes. attitude matters. i had one like this many years ago when i was more of a backwoods hippie and had two chainsaws. now i have a small electric chainsaw. with a freshly sharpened chain. the blue tape on the jig, now torn after i made adjustments, had the number ten on it. the price. which i gladly gave to the two nice geezers resting on folding chairs behind their utilitarian wares.