The news hit late yesterday afternoon, and spread quickly (link to the Woodworking Magazine blog announcement): Larry Williams and Don McConnell are launching Old Street Tool; Larry and Don remain Owners and planemakers. From the announcement at their web site a few hours ago:
Welcome to Old Street Tool
We’ve changed. For family reasons Bill Clark has moved out of town. He’s now too far away for it to be practical for him to continue in the business. Don McConnell and Larry Williams have reorganized the business and incorporated under the name Old Street Tool, Inc.
Bill had an important role in the company and we’ll miss him. Please bear with us as we make this difficult transition.
Sandy and I left the Woodworking in America conference one day early, in October; as a result, we felt like we never truly finished our “working vacation”. At least, this was the excuse we used to scurry away to Eureka Springs in late October — we wanted to chase the Fall colors in that part of Arkansas. I contacted Larry prior to our trip, and arranged for a visit in the middle of a crowded schedule that included major changes in their business.
Larry and Don were extremely accommodating, and welcomed us for a wonderful visit. The new shop was already functional, and planemaking was in full swing. I admired jigs Larry designed over the years to achieve terrific precision in his hand planes. Not wanting to overstay our welcome, we left with plans to return early next year. But we will always remember the warm welcome extended to us, and the wonderful visit with two talented craftsmen. Thank-you, Larry and Don. Congratulations on the new venture, and may you have long-lived success in Old Street Tool!
During our visit Sandy snapped the following photo:
Larry Williams (left) and I in October 2010.
Sandy and I will keep our great memories of this visit for a long, long time!
— Al Navas
About Al Navas
I sure enjoyed our visit with Larry & Don (or should that be Don & Larry). They are two extremely humble, down-to-earth individuals who shared the warmth of their shop with two wayward souls that day. It was definitely the highlight of our trip to ES.