Last night I was watching the "Handyman Challenge" and their first
challenge went something like this: You get 2 sheets of 3/4" plywood.
You have access to some crappy craftsman tools, table saw, CMS,
circular saw, jig saw, drill, belt sander, probably a few others.
Didn't see any routers or nail guns. An assortment of screws and
hinges are available. You have 90 minutes. Build something.
What would you do?
What would you do if you had the same supplies but your own shop to
work in?
-Kevin
"Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote
> Yeppers ... folks often ask how I learned woodworking. The answer has
> always been I never knew that you had to "learn" how.
>
> When told to build picnic tables for the church bazaar at the age of nine,
> I was pointed to a picnic table and simply told "... do it like that."
>
> Nuff said ... ;)
Yes, on being able to look at something and make something new based on it.
The next step in learning is to look at it, and make something like it, but
modified to suit your needs and available resources.
The largest step is being able to combine several ideas and methods into a
totally new idea. That is the hardest thing to teach, but it also the most
important.
As I teach my youngsters, I will never be able to show them how to do every
type of construction detail they will run into if they stay in the trade for
life. The key is to teach them how to think. How to use what they know to
figure out how to get from problem to solution; one that they have never
used before.
--
Jim in NC
On Sep 8, 10:45=A0am, "Lew Hodgett" <[email protected]> wrote:
> How many years did it take to beat that process into your mind so you
> could recall it from memory?
>
> Lew
Actually, not long at all. My first employment to be trained as a
carpenter landed me with a contractor that built restaurants.
EVERYTHING was based on speed, economy, and deadlines.
We were on the road a lot, probably 40 weeks out of the year. They
taught me to rely on the tools I had, not to fold up and quit because
there was a job that would do the work in a faster or more elegant
manner. If I didn't have it with me, it was on to plan B.
They also taught me to think logically about geometric things, to
minimize waste and to maximize efforts. If exact sizes were not
specified by an architect, everything was cut and built to work out
based on 8, 12, 16, 24, or 32 inches. To me it was a revelation. I
was all over that, and I was in amazement to see guys build something
that left only a a couple of pieces of scrap and a pile of sawdust.
I had worked summers as a carpenter, but I went full time at 18. I
was running my own jobs as the carpentry foreman (not the job super)
by the time I was 19. I couldn't get enough of that stuff. To me, it
was like working a FUN puzzle. I was pleased when I hit one out of
the park, as was my employer.
Working for a contractor that was a tight fisted squarehead (my
upbringing as well!) they took for granted that all work was done that
way. To them, it was "just the way it was done".
They showed me that system of multiples one time, and I was so
astonished that I have never, ever changed the way I look at building
anything from a house to a utility cabinet.
BTW, I was 19 when I first built the aforementioned cabinet without
any help, and had been in the trades for about a year. My design, my
work from start to finish. I had no helper, as a "helper" never got a
helper. I must admit that from lack of proficient tool handling
(read: inexperience), it took about 4 hours, not just a couple.
The best lesson I learned from those guys was that with a hammer,
nails, a drill and screws and a good circular saw and a framing square
you can do just about anything.
Now when I hire someone, they are so damn tool reliant it is
unbelievable. And not one inventive bone in the bodies. When I have
one of them telling me that they need a certain tool or they can't
work, I always think of my first boss.
He was nasty. If he saw you at a loss because you didn't have the
exact tool you wanted, he would yell at you so everyone could hear.
"So what now, do you want to go home? You don't have what you want so
you want to quit? This part of the job shuts down because you don't
have that one particular tool? Robert.... do you think wherever and
whenever you go to work you will have a shop full of tools pulled
behind you in a trailer? Figure it out, or go get a broom and start
sweeping."
These days, my young guys would quit if I talked to them that way. 35
years ago, I found his words more than motivating. I did not want to
sweep forever. Too, I was pretty motivated. I really loved
everything about carpentry work in those days, and wanted to learn it
all.
I know some of the answers here were tongue in cheek, but I will say
this - I have had plenty of carpenters and woodworkers (workers,
really) that have passed through my company over the years. For most
of them, if they don't have the EXACT tool for the job, they are
f**cking stumped. I mean
stumped.
My favorite guy to work with now is an independent, and he is a joy to
have on the job. He drives a little Dodge Dakota with 300,000 miles
on it, and he can do just about anything with the stuff in that
truck. He is mid 50s like me, and we actually have a good time
working together. He was trained the way I was, which was make do
with what you have in tools and materials.
Hate to sound like an old fart (since I'm not one!) but I think those
days are long gone.
Robert
"Lobby Dosser" <[email protected]> wrote
> Tends to bring out the comedian.
A good typo brings out the comedian, no doubt.
I wonder what a good pun brings out?
I've never been able to figure out what _that_ type of critter should be
called! <g>
In another group I have frequented for many years, I have seen pun threads
(they didn't start out as such, but soon changed into that) that have gone
on for over a week, with well over a hundred posts.
It is amazing as to the depths of depravity to which they can descend!
--
Jim in NC
"Kevin" wrote:
> Last night I was watching the "Handyman Challenge" and their first
> challenge went something like this: You get 2 sheets of 3/4"
> plywood.
> You have access to some crappy craftsman tools, table saw, CMS,
> circular saw, jig saw, drill, belt sander, probably a few others.
> Didn't see any routers or nail guns. An assortment of screws and
> hinges are available. You have 90 minutes. Build something.
>
> What would you do?
---------------------------------
Get a beer and tell them to take a flying fuck at a rolling donut.
That takes 90 minutes.
The engineering definition takes longer.
Given some time:
http://tinyurl.com/yh9usym
Lew
<[email protected]> wrote:
> In the best Don LaFontane voice:
<snip an entertaining tale of life>
How many years did it take to beat that process into your mind so you
could recall it from memory?
Lew
"Swingman" wrote:
> The loads of cutoff material that go in the landfill just from
> inane, idiotic building regulations defies imagination.
--------------------------------
Any interest in your area to have a jobsite chipper to create a
recyclable product that generates it's own revenue stream as opposed
to filling up a roll off with it's disposal costs?
Lew
<[email protected]> wrote:
We were on the road a lot, probably 40 weeks out of the year. They
taught me to rely on the tools I had, not to fold up and quit because
there was a job that would do the work in a faster or more elegant
manner.
------------------------------
Sounds like my approach to sailing.
If it gets more complex than a hunk of Columbian line (rope) or a
Harken block (pulley), I view it with a very jaundiced eye.
KISS definitely applies.
Lew
<[email protected]> wrote
>
> Actually, not long at all. My first employment to be trained as a
> carpenter landed me with a contractor that built restaurants.
> EVERYTHING was based on speed, economy, and deadlines.
>
> We were on the road a lot, probably 40 weeks out of the year. They
> taught me to rely on the tools I had, not to fold up and quit because
> there was a job that would do the work in a faster or more elegant
> manner. If I didn't have it with me, it was on to plan B.
>
> They also taught me to think logically about geometric things, to
> minimize waste and to maximize efforts. If exact sizes were not
> specified by an architect, everything was cut and built to work out
> based on 8, 12, 16, 24, or 32 inches. To me it was a revelation. I
> was all over that, and I was in amazement to see guys build something
> that left only a a couple of pieces of scrap and a pile of sawdust.
>
> I had worked summers as a carpenter, but I went full time at 18. I
> was running my own jobs as the carpentry foreman (not the job super)
> by the time I was 19. I couldn't get enough of that stuff. To me, it
> was like working a FUN puzzle. I was pleased when I hit one out of
> the park, as was my employer.
>
> Working for a contractor that was a tight fisted squarehead (my
> upbringing as well!) they took for granted that all work was done that
> way. To them, it was "just the way it was done".
>
> They showed me that system of multiples one time, and I was so
> astonished that I have never, ever changed the way I look at building
> anything from a house to a utility cabinet.
>
> BTW, I was 19 when I first built the aforementioned cabinet without
> any help, and had been in the trades for about a year. My design, my
> work from start to finish. I had no helper, as a "helper" never got a
> helper. I must admit that from lack of proficient tool handling
> (read: inexperience), it took about 4 hours, not just a couple.
>
> The best lesson I learned from those guys was that with a hammer,
> nails, a drill and screws and a good circular saw and a framing square
> you can do just about anything.
>
> Now when I hire someone, they are so damn tool reliant it is
> unbelievable. And not one inventive bone in the bodies. When I have
> one of them telling me that they need a certain tool or they can't
> work, I always think of my first boss.
>
> He was nasty. If he saw you at a loss because you didn't have the
> exact tool you wanted, he would yell at you so everyone could hear.
> "So what now, do you want to go home? You don't have what you want so
> you want to quit? This part of the job shuts down because you don't
> have that one particular tool? Robert.... do you think wherever and
> whenever you go to work you will have a shop full of tools pulled
> behind you in a trailer? Figure it out, or go get a broom and start
> sweeping."
>
> These days, my young guys would quit if I talked to them that way. 35
> years ago, I found his words more than motivating. I did not want to
> sweep forever. Too, I was pretty motivated. I really loved
> everything about carpentry work in those days, and wanted to learn it
> all.
>
> I know some of the answers here were tongue in cheek, but I will say
> this - I have had plenty of carpenters and woodworkers (workers,
> really) that have passed through my company over the years. For most
> of them, if they don't have the EXACT tool for the job, they are
> f**cking stumped. I mean
> stumped.
>
> My favorite guy to work with now is an independent, and he is a joy to
> have on the job. He drives a little Dodge Dakota with 300,000 miles
> on it, and he can do just about anything with the stuff in that
> truck. He is mid 50s like me, and we actually have a good time
> working together. He was trained the way I was, which was make do
> with what you have in tools and materials.
>
> Hate to sound like an old fart (since I'm not one!) but I think those
> days are long gone.
>
> Robert
>
Like swingman, I am not going to snip such good stuff. Gonna save it for
posterity.
Where do I start? We live in a world of whiners that can't do hardly
anything out of the ordinary.
I grew up on a farm that used hare drawn equipment pulled behind a tractor.
It stayed outside and often needed repairs. Needless to say, no parts or
manuals were available. My dad would come up to me and say, the hay loader
is broken down in the back field, go fix it. I would grab some tools and a
trusty coil of baling wire, and go fix it. No training, just went and did
it. Because, until it got fixed, I didn't eat. How's that for motivation?
I have designed and built many things in my life because I could not afford
them otherwise. These were often done in small, basic shops and simple
tools. It is a matter of wanting it and working hard to do whatever is
required. Along the way, I picked up many useful skills. I am still
designing and building them. Counting my farm boy days, I have doing this
for over 50 years.
Like Stewart Brand, of Whole Earth Catalog fame said, "Don't mistake a lack
of funds for a lack of resources."
"Swingman" wrote:
> Good idea ... especially if you can get someone to come pick it up
> like they do hamburger grease at the local fast food.
------------------------------
Understand it is a going business in certain parts of the country,
which is why I asked about your area.
Some contractors have their own chipper, others sub it out.
Lew
"dpb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Lee Michaels wrote:
> ...
>> I grew up on a farm that used hare drawn equipment ...
>
> Damn!!! I thought our jackrabbits were sizable but don't think they'd
> suit as draft hares... :)
>
Damn spellchecker!! LOL
I did not see that one. Just to clear the air, I meant HORSE, as in equine,
as in the four legged farm animal.
Nope, we did not have those Aussie size rabbits around here.
"Lobby Dosser" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Lee Michaels" <leemichaels*nadaspam* at comcast dot net> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>
>> I grew up on a farm that used hare drawn equipment pulled behind a
>> tractor.
>
> Belgians?
>
Nope, International Harvester and John Deere.
And I was referring to the equipment, not the draft animal.
Nothing like a good typo, eh?
"dpb" wrote:
> OK, now ya' done done it...gave me the opening for the following I
> first saw from a tech support guy he posted on his company's private
> newsgroup help forum...I've always like it; enjoy -- :)
>
> I have a spelling checker.
> It came with my PC.
> It plane lee marks four my revue
> Miss steaks aye can knot see.
>
> Eye ran this poem threw it.
> Your sure real glad two no.
> Its very polished in its weigh,
> My checker tolled me sew.
>
> A checker is a blessing.
> It freeze yew lodes of thyme.
> It helps me right awl stiles two reed,
> And aides me when aye rime.
>
> Each frays come posed up on my screen
> Eye trussed too bee a joule.
> The checker pours o'er every word
> To cheque sum spelling rule.
>
> Bee fore a veiling checkers
> Hour spelling mite decline,
> And if we're laks oar have a laps,
> We wood bee maid too wine.
>
> Butt now bee cause my spelling
> Is checked with such grate flare,
> There are know faults with in my cite,
> Of nun eye am a wear.
>
> Now spelling does not phase me,
> It does knot bring a tier.
> My pay purrs awl due glad den
> With wrapped words fare as hear.
>
> To rite with care is quite a feet
> Of witch won should be proud,
> And wee mussed dew the best wee can,
> Sew flaws are knot aloud.
>
> Sow ewe can sea why aye dew prays
> Such soft wear four pea seas,
> And why eye brake in two averse
> Buy righting want too please.
>
> [source unknown]
---------------------------------
Another one you can add to the list courtesy of Ron Force.
Enjoy
Lew
--------------------------------
*Spell Checker Poem*
I have a spelling checker -
It came with my pee cee
It plane lee marks four my revue
Miss steaks aye can knot sea
Eye ran this poem threw it,
Your sure reel glad two no.
Its vary polished in it's weigh -
My checker tolled me sew.
A checker is a bless sing.
It freeze yew lodes of thyme.
It helps me awl stiles two reed,
And aides me when aye rime.
To rite with care is quite a feet
Of witch won should be proud.
And wee mussed dew the best wee can,
Sew flaws are knot aloud.
And now bee cause my spelling
Is checked with such grate flare,
Their are know faults with in my cite;
Of non eye am a wear.
Each frays come posed up on my screen
Eye trussed to be a joule.
The checker poured o'er every word
To cheque sum spelling rule.
That's why aye brake in two averse
By righting wants too pleas.
Sow now ewe sea why aye dew prays
Such soft wear for pea seas!
Ron Force
Moscow Idaho USA
"Morgans" wrote:
> So you are saying you chip up the wood with some nails still in it,
> and get out the metal with magnets after it has been chipped up?
---------------------------------
That's one approach.
Maybe they use a hammer mill instead of a chipper.
Those are engineering details I leave to others.
It's not rocket science.
Lew
On Sep 8, 4:00=A0pm, Swingman <[email protected]> wrote:
> On 9/8/2010 2:38 PM, Lee Michaels wrote:
>
> > I have designed and built many things in my life because I could not
> > afford them otherwise. These were often done in small, basic shops and
> > simple tools. It is a matter of wanting it and working hard to do
> > whatever is required. Along the way, I picked up many useful skills. I
> > am still designing and building them. Counting my farm boy days, I have
> > doing this for over 50 years.
>
> Ditto ... and despite the long proven ability to do it with few
> resources, it sure is nice to finally have some good tools that you just
> a little further down the road of pure pleasure when using, and that
> make your work that much easier.
>
> IOW, despite the upbringing, you would have to pry my cold dead hands
> off my TS75 and guide rails.
>
> Viva Festool! =A0;)
>
> --www.e-woodshop.net
> Last update: 4/15/2010
> KarlC@ (the obvious)
Which blade are you using and when cutting plywood, how far do you
drop the blade below the bottom of the ply? Have you cut melamine with
it yet?
On Sep 9, 10:33=A0am, "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
wrote:
> On Sep 8, 3:00=A0pm, Swingman <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > Ditto ... and despite the long proven ability to do it with few
> > resources, it sure is nice to finally have some good tools that you jus=
t
> > a little further down the road of pure pleasure when using, and that
> > make your work that much easier.
>
> Very true. =A0I am glad I know how to do more with less, but I am much
> more pleased to be able to do more with more.
>
> I like brad guns, compound miter saws, cordless drills and the like.
> I will use any tool (within reason!) that will make the job go faster,
> easier, turn out a better job, or make me money.
>
> Most of my work is remodel and repair. =A0That's my preferred
> bailiwick. =A0And as in most lines of work, the most important (and most
> underused tool) that a worker has is his open mind.
>
> Wow.... getting a little preachy here....
>
> Robert
Last time my mind was a bit too open, somebody tried to throw teabags
in it. Loose leaf green, sure... but bags?
Ooops
Proper skills and tooling and the experience to see a solution to a
customer's problem plus the ability to package that solution in an
attractive package...and THEN selling it, and Bob's your uncle.
On Sep 8, 3:00=A0pm, Swingman <[email protected]> wrote:
> Ditto ... and despite the long proven ability to do it with few
> resources, it sure is nice to finally have some good tools that you just
> a little further down the road of pure pleasure when using, and that
> make your work that much easier.
Very true. I am glad I know how to do more with less, but I am much
more pleased to be able to do more with more.
I like brad guns, compound miter saws, cordless drills and the like.
I will use any tool (within reason!) that will make the job go faster,
easier, turn out a better job, or make me money.
Most of my work is remodel and repair. That's my preferred
bailiwick. And as in most lines of work, the most important (and most
underused tool) that a worker has is his open mind.
Wow.... getting a little preachy here....
Robert
In the best Don LaFontane voice:
Imagine a world with no Sketchup.
A world without nailguns.
A place without Dominoes, DowelMax or biscuit machines.
A universe that didn't know a simple project required thousands of
dollars of tools, and weeks of planning.
The time? Nineteen hundred and seventy five. The place? Welcome to
the jobsite.
***********
My boss: Robert, take a couple of sheets of that birch and make a
*utility* cabinet for that back washroom, OK? This isn't a retirement
project. Don't get too fancy. It will be painted. Art will make it
look nice.
Me: OK. You want to hang it, or have it sit on the floor?
My boss: Which ever is faster. Get going.
***********
Using the predecessor to Sketchup (a pencil and a piece of paper) I
begin.
Then I get tired of doodling and start cutting. We had no jobsite
tablesaw when I was on the road crew, so this was done with a circular
saw, a framing square and a new arrival on the scene, a "speed
square".
Using one piece of plywood as the straight edge, I place it on the
sheet to be ripped to 16", with 1 1/2" added to it. The 1 1/2"
reflects the most outward kerfed tooth distance to the shoe, which
will be used as the guide.
After correct placement, a 4d is driven (gasp!) into the plywood at
each end to ensure it doesn't move.
After the the first piece 16" wide is ripped off, that becomes the
new, easier to handle guide.
All material is ripped to 16" width.
I now cut three (at once - just barely) of my rips to 64" in length.
I have used one piece, and have two sides, and three shelves 32" in
length.
I have two more rips. I cut one more rip into three 32" pieces. Now
I have one more shelf, and two doors, all 32" in length.
I have one more rip. Attaching the rip guide to the saw (we didn't
travel with a Powermatic, and no portable saws in those days) I cut
two strips 2 1/2" wide (now known as rail and stile stock) off the
remaining rip.
This leaves 11".
The layout, working from the bottom:
The idea is to have doors on the bottom and an open shelf on the top
for quick reach items.
The bottom shelf is 12" off the ground. This shelf is also positioned
to be covered by the bottom of the bottom rail. (12" will accommodate
all kinds of bottles, containers, etc., that might leak such as
cleaning agents, laundry detergent, etc.)
The remaining shelves are laid out to reflect the correct position of
the stiles. You can put two or three shelves behind the doors, as
long as you get the top shelf correctly for the rail, with your 32"
door installed to cover all shelves.
Cut the rails and stiles and install with glue and 6d finish nails.
Since plywood is often hard and gnarly, take a straight 6d, and nip
the head off it. At the point side, grind it to a spade bit on your
belt sander. This is now your pilot hole tool.
Assemble all of it. At the top, cut back (starting at your top most
shelf, the one attached to the top rail) and cut a slant back towards
the back of the cabinet from 16", to 11". You already have your top
shelf material ripped.
Cut the to shelf 11" X 32". Install. Cut the remaining 64" of your
11" rip into two 32" pieces. Tuck these under the first shelf hidden
by the doors and the bottom shelf on the exposed bottom area. Nailing
and gluing these will make this remarkably sturdy.
I liked a center stile, but not more than 2". Cut that, and center it
on the open area to receive the doors, effectively cutting it in half.
Since you laid it out properly, you only have to cut the doors for
width. You should have some rail and stile stock left over to make a
dandy rip guide.
Lay the cabinet on its back, getting it as square and level as
possible. Orient them as needed, mark, and attach the hinges.
**Gently** ease over all square edges (except doors, and insides of
rail and stiles) with the belt sander.
Done. Examine the work, and wait for you boss to come kiss the deal.
Approval was usually granted by saying, "hell I thought you went
home. Go help Lester finish hanging the doors."
Longer to type than to build it. As a side note, not all measurements
were perfectly 32", 64" etc., as some consideration would be made on
site to allow for saw blade kerf.
Now with a table saw, you could do all kinds of maneuvering to cut 45s
to conceal the raw edges. I can't imagine how much that would speed
the deal up, as well as with a CMS. Even back then, when we wanted to
make something like that a little more fancy, we used to make screen
out of 2X4 edges. (Much easier than you might think. Cut them square
and round as needed after installation).
All of it works well from planning on a scrap piece of paper, and
remembering the multiples of plywood layout. When performed
correctly, one cut yields more than one piece. Personally, it is
still easier for me to take down full sheet goods with a good circular
saw rather than going back to the shop to fire up the table saw.
I think I see a pattern here of exactly what types of tools some folks
learned on, and how they learned. I did like the Mission chair idea,
though.
I looked at the list of tools and it looked like a pretty full deck to
me. I am stunned that no one could slap a simple project together
with all that artillery. Obviously they weren't looking for a
Federalist highboy if they just gave you two sheets of plywood.
Then again, two sheets of plywood and a bit of screen has yielded some
nice furniture, too. It just takes longer than the time allotted in
the challenge.
A world with no CMSs, no brad guns, no table saws at hand, no biscuit/
dowel gizmos, no drafting programs, nothing but the tools on hand and
your skills? I am hearing Don LaFontane's voice again.
Hmm.....
Robert
On Sat, 11 Sep 2010 20:47:27 -0500, [email protected]
(Robert Bonomi) wrote:
>In article <[email protected]>,
>Morgans <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>"Lobby Dosser" <[email protected]> wrote
>>
>>> Tends to bring out the comedian.
>>
>> A good typo brings out the comedian, no doubt.
>>
>>I wonder what a good pun brings out?
>
>There's no such thing as a 'good' pun. Only bad ones, and "truly terrible"
>ones. The distinction is that the former don't work, and the latter elicit
>groans (and worse).
There are only two types of puns: coughers and groaners. Bad puns
aren't worthy of much response, so you cough and pretend you didn't
hear it. Good puns bring groans to your lips in a hurry.
--
Not merely an absence of noise, Real Silence begins
when a reasonable being withdraws from the noise in
order to find peace and order in his inner sanctuary.
-- Peter Minard
On Sep 7, 9:47=A0pm, Robatoy <[email protected]> wrote:
> ....and there you have it: an armoire.
Ayyyyyup.
I thought you wuz funnin'.
;^)
Robert
On 9/8/2010 12:52 PM, [email protected] wrote:
> On Sep 8, 10:45 am, "Lew Hodgett"<[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> How many years did it take to beat that process into your mind so you
>> could recall it from memory?
>>
>> Lew
>
> Actually, not long at all. My first employment to be trained as a
> carpenter landed me with a contractor that built restaurants.
> EVERYTHING was based on speed, economy, and deadlines.
>
> We were on the road a lot, probably 40 weeks out of the year. They
> taught me to rely on the tools I had, not to fold up and quit because
> there was a job that would do the work in a faster or more elegant
> manner. If I didn't have it with me, it was on to plan B.
>
> They also taught me to think logically about geometric things, to
> minimize waste and to maximize efforts. If exact sizes were not
> specified by an architect, everything was cut and built to work out
> based on 8, 12, 16, 24, or 32 inches. To me it was a revelation. I
> was all over that, and I was in amazement to see guys build something
> that left only a a couple of pieces of scrap and a pile of sawdust.
One of my biggest gripes with building where lot size, and municipal
regulations probably moreso, make it IMPOSSIBLE to effectively use
multiples to make the job easier and minimize waste.
The loads of cutoff material that go in the landfill just from inane,
idiotic building regulations defies imagination.
> I had worked summers as a carpenter, but I went full time at 18. I
> was running my own jobs as the carpentry foreman (not the job super)
> by the time I was 19. I couldn't get enough of that stuff. To me, it
> was like working a FUN puzzle. I was pleased when I hit one out of
> the park, as was my employer.
>
> Working for a contractor that was a tight fisted squarehead (my
> upbringing as well!) they took for granted that all work was done that
> way. To them, it was "just the way it was done".
>
> They showed me that system of multiples one time, and I was so
> astonished that I have never, ever changed the way I look at building
> anything from a house to a utility cabinet.
>
> BTW, I was 19 when I first built the aforementioned cabinet without
> any help, and had been in the trades for about a year. My design, my
> work from start to finish. I had no helper, as a "helper" never got a
> helper. I must admit that from lack of proficient tool handling
> (read: inexperience), it took about 4 hours, not just a couple.
>
> The best lesson I learned from those guys was that with a hammer,
> nails, a drill and screws and a good circular saw and a framing square
> you can do just about anything.
>
> Now when I hire someone, they are so damn tool reliant it is
> unbelievable. And not one inventive bone in the bodies. When I have
> one of them telling me that they need a certain tool or they can't
> work, I always think of my first boss.
>
> He was nasty. If he saw you at a loss because you didn't have the
> exact tool you wanted, he would yell at you so everyone could hear.
> "So what now, do you want to go home? You don't have what you want so
> you want to quit? This part of the job shuts down because you don't
> have that one particular tool? Robert.... do you think wherever and
> whenever you go to work you will have a shop full of tools pulled
> behind you in a trailer? Figure it out, or go get a broom and start
> sweeping."
>
> These days, my young guys would quit if I talked to them that way. 35
> years ago, I found his words more than motivating. I did not want to
> sweep forever. Too, I was pretty motivated. I really loved
> everything about carpentry work in those days, and wanted to learn it
> all.
>
> I know some of the answers here were tongue in cheek, but I will say
> this - I have had plenty of carpenters and woodworkers (workers,
> really) that have passed through my company over the years. For most
> of them, if they don't have the EXACT tool for the job, they are
> f**cking stumped. I mean
> stumped.
>
> My favorite guy to work with now is an independent, and he is a joy to
> have on the job. He drives a little Dodge Dakota with 300,000 miles
> on it, and he can do just about anything with the stuff in that
> truck. He is mid 50s like me, and we actually have a good time
> working together. He was trained the way I was, which was make do
> with what you have in tools and materials.
>
> Hate to sound like an old fart (since I'm not one!) but I think those
> days are long gone.
Normally I would have snipped/trimmed this ... it's just too damn good
of a story, and too damned true, to not take the chance that someone may
read it, in its entirety, that may have missed it otherwise.
Good on ya, Robert!! :)
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 4/15/2010
KarlC@ (the obvious)
On 9/8/2010 8:29 PM, Morgans wrote:
> "Swingman"<[email protected]> wrote
>
>> Yeppers ... folks often ask how I learned woodworking. The answer has
>> always been I never knew that you had to "learn" how.
>>
>> When told to build picnic tables for the church bazaar at the age of nine,
>> I was pointed to a picnic table and simply told "... do it like that."
>>
>> Nuff said ... ;)
>
> Yes, on being able to look at something and make something new based on it.
>
> The next step in learning is to look at it, and make something like it, but
> modified to suit your needs and available resources.
>
> The largest step is being able to combine several ideas and methods into a
> totally new idea. That is the hardest thing to teach, but it also the most
> important.
>
> As I teach my youngsters, I will never be able to show them how to do every
> type of construction detail they will run into if they stay in the trade for
> life. The key is to teach them how to think. How to use what they know to
> figure out how to get from problem to solution; one that they have never
> used before.
They're lucky to have a teacher like you!
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 4/15/2010
KarlC@ (the obvious)
On 9/8/2010 2:38 PM, Lee Michaels wrote:
> I have designed and built many things in my life because I could not
> afford them otherwise. These were often done in small, basic shops and
> simple tools. It is a matter of wanting it and working hard to do
> whatever is required. Along the way, I picked up many useful skills. I
> am still designing and building them. Counting my farm boy days, I have
> doing this for over 50 years.
Ditto ... and despite the long proven ability to do it with few
resources, it sure is nice to finally have some good tools that you just
a little further down the road of pure pleasure when using, and that
make your work that much easier.
IOW, despite the upbringing, you would have to pry my cold dead hands
off my TS75 and guide rails.
Viva Festool! ;)
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 4/15/2010
KarlC@ (the obvious)
In article <[email protected]>,
Morgans <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>"Lobby Dosser" <[email protected]> wrote
>
>> Tends to bring out the comedian.
>
> A good typo brings out the comedian, no doubt.
>
>I wonder what a good pun brings out?
There's no such thing as a 'good' pun. Only bad ones, and "truly terrible"
ones. The distinction is that the former don't work, and the latter elicit
groans (and worse).
>
>I've never been able to figure out what _that_ type of critter should be
>called! <g>
Frequently something unprintable -- assuming you mean the perpetrator thereof.
Actually, one of the shop teachers at the high school I went to was an
accomplished practitioner of that particular low art, and, in consequence,
the ones that produced significant reactions were known as "Groenert"s.
(Note: although it is an example of the art form itself, it is the strict
truth. It's not a case of 'life imitates Art' ,either -- hist fist name
was Walter.)
>In another group I have frequented for many years, I have seen pun threads
>(they didn't start out as such, but soon changed into that) that have gone
>on for over a week, with well over a hundred posts.
Typos can lead to some really humorous threads, too. A number of years
ago, in a 'home automatin' newsgroup, somebody _meant_ to ask about one of
those weapons for reading UPC symbols and the like -- a 'bar code reader'.
Unfortunately, he transposed te 2nd and 3rd letters of the first word. THAT
hilarity went on for over two weeks, with comments ranging from the possible
use for a long-range laser-powered one, for use at the beach, to a suggestion
that this was an 'inappropriate use of technology' - some things were *MEANT*
to be 'done manually'. As I recall, the thread ended when some genius
opined that 'the accuracy of a bra-code reader is inversely proportional to
the amount of free mammary.'
>It is amazing as to the depths of depravity to which they can descend!
Not really. Praved roads are not well-suited for the formation of puns.
We tend to go off the beaten track, onto macadam, gravel and other less-
travelled routes. In _those_ situations, it's much easier to "make the
pun-ishment fit the grime".
I've come up with my share of truly terrible ones, but for sheer creativity,
I haven't seen anything that comes close to one that showed up in a high-
end (i.e., Sunday NY Times level) _crossword_puzzle_, back in the 1970s.
The answer was 16 characters long, and the clue read "Warning for Macbeth
to flee as Burnham Wood advanced upon Dunsinane."
The solution turned out to be:
C H E E S E I T T H E C O P S E
As such things go, it's a brilliant construct -- an exact phonetic match.
OTOH, I'm not sure _what_ to think of the warped mind that came up with the
Shakespeare connection.
"Lew Hodgett" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Morgans" wrote:
>
>> I suppose you have to remove all the nails and metal out of the scrap
>> wood before it gets chipped up.
> ----------------------------
> Magnets make short work of ferrous metal.
So you are saying you chip up the wood with some nails still in it, and get
out the metal with magnets after it has been chipped up?
--
Jim in NC
On 9/8/2010 2:08 PM, Lew Hodgett wrote:
> "Swingman" wrote:
>
>> The loads of cutoff material that go in the landfill just from
>> inane, idiotic building regulations defies imagination.
> --------------------------------
> Any interest in your area to have a jobsite chipper to create a
> recyclable product that generates it's own revenue stream as opposed
> to filling up a roll off with it's disposal costs?
Good idea ... especially if you can get someone to come pick it up like
they do hamburger grease at the local fast food.
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 4/15/2010
KarlC@ (the obvious)
On 9/8/2010 10:52 PM, Robatoy wrote:
> Which blade are you using and when cutting plywood, how far do you
> drop the blade below the bottom of the ply? Have you cut melamine with
> it yet?
The standard issue blade thus far. One click of the height adjustment
past the stock (1mm?). Nope, no melamine.
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 4/15/2010
KarlC@ (the obvious)
On Sep 6, 8:31=A0pm, Kevin <[email protected]> wrote:
> Last night I was watching the "Handyman Challenge" and their first
> challenge went something like this: =A0You get 2 sheets of 3/4" plywood.
> You have access to some crappy craftsman tools, table saw, CMS,
> circular saw, jig saw, drill, belt sander, probably a few others.
> Didn't see any routers or nail guns. =A0An assortment of screws and
> hinges are available. =A0You have 90 minutes. =A0Build something. =A0
>
> What would you do?
>
> What would you do if you had the same supplies but your own shop to
> work in?
>
> -Kevin
90 minutes? An armoir.
On Sep 8, 12:41=A0am, "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
wrote:
> On Sep 7, 9:47=A0pm, Robatoy <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > ....and there you have it: an armoire.
>
> Ayyyyyup.
>
> I thought you wuz funnin'.
>
> ;^)
>
> Robert
Moi?
"Lew Hodgett" <[email protected]> wrote
>
> Some contractors have their own chipper, others sub it out.
I suppose you have to remove all the nails and metal out of the scrap wood
before it gets chipped up.
That would suck, but it probably would save money. Probably not as much
after you consider the time cleaning the wood.
--
Jim in NC
On Sep 11, 9:47=A0pm, [email protected] (Robert Bonomi) wrote:
>
> I've come up with my share of truly terrible ones,
Yes you have.
*respectfully tipping my hat*
An accomplished punster can clear a room.
On Sep 7, 10:41=A0pm, "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
wrote:
> In the best Don LaFontane voice:
>
> Imagine a world with no Sketchup.
> A world without nailguns.
> A place without Dominoes, DowelMax or biscuit machines.
> A universe that didn't know a simple project required thousands of
> dollars of tools, and weeks of planning.
>
> The time? =A0Nineteen hundred and seventy five. =A0The place? =A0Welcome =
to
> the jobsite.
>
> ***********
> My boss: =A0Robert, take a couple of sheets of that birch and make a
> *utility* cabinet for that back washroom, OK? =A0This isn't a retirement
> project. =A0Don't get too fancy. =A0It will be painted. =A0Art will make =
it
> look nice.
>
> Me: =A0OK. =A0You want to hang it, or have it sit on the floor?
>
> My boss: =A0Which ever is faster. =A0Get going.
>
> ***********
>
> Using the predecessor to Sketchup (a pencil and a piece of paper) I
> begin.
>
> Then I get tired of doodling and start cutting. =A0We had no jobsite
> tablesaw when I was on the road crew, so this was done with a circular
> saw, a framing square and a new arrival on the scene, a "speed
> square".
>
> Using one piece of plywood as the straight edge, I place it on the
> sheet to be ripped to 16", with 1 1/2" added to it. =A0The 1 1/2"
> reflects the most outward kerfed tooth distance to the shoe, which
> will be used as the guide.
>
> After correct placement, a 4d is driven (gasp!) into the plywood at
> each end to ensure it doesn't move.
> After the the first piece 16" wide is ripped off, that becomes the
> new, easier to handle guide.
>
> All material is ripped to 16" width.
>
> I now cut three (at once - just barely) of my rips to 64" in length.
> I have used one piece, and have two sides, and three shelves 32" in
> length.
>
> I have two more rips. =A0I cut one more rip into three 32" pieces. =A0Now
> I have one more shelf, and two doors, all 32" in length.
>
> I have one more rip. =A0Attaching the rip guide to the saw (we didn't
> travel with a Powermatic, and no portable saws in those days) I cut
> two strips 2 1/2" wide (now known as rail and stile stock) off the
> remaining rip.
>
> This leaves 11".
>
> The layout, working from the bottom:
>
> The idea is to have doors on the bottom and an open shelf on the top
> for quick reach items.
>
> The bottom shelf is 12" off the ground. =A0This shelf is also positioned
> to be covered by the bottom of the bottom rail. =A0(12" will accommodate
> all kinds of bottles, containers, etc., that might leak such as
> cleaning agents, laundry detergent, etc.)
>
> The remaining shelves are laid out to reflect the correct position of
> the stiles. =A0You can put two or three shelves behind the doors, as
> long as you get the top shelf correctly for the rail, with your 32"
> door installed to cover all shelves.
>
> Cut the rails and stiles and install with glue and 6d finish nails.
> Since plywood is often hard and gnarly, take a straight 6d, and nip
> the head off it. =A0At the point side, grind it to a spade bit on your
> belt sander. =A0This is now your pilot hole tool.
>
> Assemble all of it. =A0At the top, cut back (starting at your top most
> shelf, the one attached to the top rail) and cut a slant back towards
> the back of the cabinet from 16", to 11". =A0You already have your top
> shelf material ripped.
>
> Cut the to shelf 11" X 32". Install. =A0Cut the remaining 64" of your
> 11" rip into two 32" pieces. =A0Tuck these under the first shelf hidden
> by the doors and the bottom shelf on the exposed bottom area. =A0Nailing
> and gluing these will make this remarkably sturdy.
>
> I liked a center stile, but not more than 2". =A0Cut that, and center it
> on the open area to receive the doors, effectively cutting it in half.
>
> Since you laid it out properly, you only have to cut the doors for
> width. =A0 You should have some rail and stile stock left over to make a
> dandy rip guide.
>
> Lay the cabinet on its back, getting it as square and level as
> possible. =A0Orient them as needed, mark, and attach the hinges.
>
> **Gently** ease over all square edges (except doors, and insides of
> rail and stiles) with the belt sander.
>
> Done. =A0Examine the work, and wait for you boss to come kiss the deal.
> Approval was usually granted by saying, "hell I thought you went
> home. =A0Go help Lester finish hanging the doors."
>
> Longer to type than to build it. =A0As a side note, not all measurements
> were perfectly 32", 64" etc., as some consideration would be made on
> site to allow for saw blade kerf.
>
> Now with a table saw, you could do all kinds of maneuvering to cut 45s
> to conceal the raw edges. =A0I can't imagine how much that would speed
> the deal up, as well as with a CMS. =A0Even back then, when we wanted to
> make something like that a little more fancy, we used to make screen
> out of 2X4 edges. =A0(Much easier than you might think. Cut them square
> and round as needed after installation).
>
> All of it works well from planning on a scrap piece of paper, and
> remembering the multiples of plywood layout. =A0When performed
> correctly, one cut yields more than one piece. =A0Personally, it is
> still easier for me to take down full sheet goods with a good circular
> saw rather than going back to the shop to fire up the table saw.
>
> I think I see a pattern here of exactly what types of tools some folks
> learned on, and how they learned. =A0I did like the Mission chair idea,
> though.
>
> I looked at the list of tools and it looked like a pretty full deck to
> me. =A0I am stunned that no one could slap a simple project together
> with all that artillery. =A0Obviously they weren't looking for a
> Federalist highboy if they just gave you two sheets of plywood.
>
> Then again, two sheets of plywood and a bit of screen has yielded some
> nice furniture, too. =A0It just takes longer than the time allotted in
> the challenge.
>
> A world with no CMSs, no brad guns, no table saws at hand, no biscuit/
> dowel gizmos, no drafting programs, nothing but the tools on hand and
> your skills? =A0I am hearing Don LaFontane's voice again.
>
> Hmm.....
>
> Robert
....and there you have it: an armoire.
On Sep 6, 8:31=A0pm, Kevin <[email protected]> wrote:
> Last night I was watching the "Handyman Challenge" and their first
> challenge went something like this: =A0You get 2 sheets of 3/4" plywood.
> You have access to some crappy craftsman tools, table saw, CMS,
> circular saw, jig saw, drill, belt sander, probably a few others.
> Didn't see any routers or nail guns. =A0An assortment of screws and
> hinges are available. =A0You have 90 minutes. =A0Build something. =A0
>
> What would you do?
>
> What would you do if you had the same supplies but your own shop to
> work in?
I'd cut the two sheets in half the hard way, and glue the front from
one and the back from another together. I'd tell them I needed to
1/2" ply sheets but I didn't want to run to the lumber yard. It's an
appropriate project - it shows a lot of skill and it's
pointless...like that show. ;)
Seriously, though? I would have made a Morris chair with jigsawed out
slats.
R
"Robatoy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> Which blade are you using and when cutting plywood, how far do you
> drop the blade below the bottom of the ply? Have you cut melamine with
> it yet?
If you're really interested in a working depth of cut, there's several
comments dealing with suitable depth of cuts in the Festool Owner's Group.
Anyone interested can sign on as a guest, they don't need to be a Festool
owner to read or make comments. Mucho information there about many tools,
not just Festool brand.
On Tue, 7 Sep 2010 19:41:56 -0700 (PDT), "[email protected]"
<[email protected]> wrote:
<a lot of snipping of a post I'm appreciative of>
>I think I see a pattern here of exactly what types of tools some folks
>learned on, and how they learned. I did like the Mission chair idea,
>though.
>
>I looked at the list of tools and it looked like a pretty full deck to
>me. I am stunned that no one could slap a simple project together
>with all that artillery. Obviously they weren't looking for a
>Federalist highboy if they just gave you two sheets of plywood.
Yes, my thinking as far as those tools vs my own tools isn't so much
being limited as to what I could do but more that I have never touched
those particular tools before, and they probably aren't very good. I
haven't set up that table saw so I don't even know if the thing will
cut square. If I'm going to work fast I don't want to have to be
double checking everything. Looking at the results they were getting
I'm pretty confident I would have chucked that jigsaw across the field
after trying it out, at the very least the blade in it wasn't meant
for plywood. I'd want some time to at least find out what the tools
can and can't do before being timed with em.
Business has picked up the last couple months and I find myself
starting to have less time than orders, which is a good thing. It's
supposed to be "slow" right now so I can build inventory for the
holiday shopping, but right now I am not gaining on it. So working
smarter and faster is a subject near and dear at the moment. The "I
don't have enough space/clamps/etc" excuses only count for so much,
the limiting factor is still me. At the end of the day I have what I
have and it has to get done.
-Kevin
Lew Hodgett wrote:
> "Kevin" wrote:
>
>> Last night I was watching the "Handyman Challenge" and their first
>> challenge went something like this: You get 2 sheets of 3/4"
>> plywood.
>> You have access to some crappy craftsman tools, table saw, CMS,
>> circular saw, jig saw, drill, belt sander, probably a few others.
>> Didn't see any routers or nail guns. An assortment of screws and
>> hinges are available. You have 90 minutes. Build something.
>>
>> What would you do?
> ---------------------------------
> Get a beer and tell them to take a flying fuck at a rolling donut.
>
> That takes 90 minutes.
I'd be lucky to have my design Sketched-Up in 90 minutes...but I would
not have wasted so many sheets of plywood either.
Great concept: encourage people to race against the clock with power
tools! ;) The show is clearly a commercial gimmick. The Woodsmith
show need not worry and perhaps it can pick up some new viewers.
Bill
>
> The engineering definition takes longer.
>
> Given some time:
>
> http://tinyurl.com/yh9usym
>
> Lew
>
>
>
"Kevin" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
snip(just for you LB)
You have 90 minutes. Build something.
>
> What would you do?
Build the MCs Coffin.
>
> What would you do if you had the same supplies but your own shop to
> work in?
Think about it for a few days.
>
> -Kevin
--
National Socialism showed what can happen when very ordinary people get
control of a state and the merely opportunistic are regarded as
intellectuals.
Anthony Burgess
"Lee Michaels" <leemichaels*nadaspam* at comcast dot net> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> I grew up on a farm that used hare drawn equipment pulled behind a
> tractor.
Belgians?
Lee Michaels wrote:
> "dpb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> Lee Michaels wrote:
>> ...
>>> I grew up on a farm that used hare drawn equipment ...
>>
>> Damn!!! I thought our jackrabbits were sizable but don't think they'd
>> suit as draft hares... :)
>>
> Damn spellchecker!! LOL
...
OK, now ya' done done it...gave me the opening for the following I first
saw from a tech support guy he posted on his company's private newsgroup
help forum...I've always like it; enjoy -- :)
I have a spelling checker.
It came with my PC.
It plane lee marks four my revue
Miss steaks aye can knot see.
Eye ran this poem threw it.
Your sure real glad two no.
Its very polished in its weigh,
My checker tolled me sew.
A checker is a blessing.
It freeze yew lodes of thyme.
It helps me right awl stiles two reed,
And aides me when aye rime.
Each frays come posed up on my screen
Eye trussed too bee a joule.
The checker pours o'er every word
To cheque sum spelling rule.
Bee fore a veiling checkers
Hour spelling mite decline,
And if we're laks oar have a laps,
We wood bee maid too wine.
Butt now bee cause my spelling
Is checked with such grate flare,
There are know faults with in my cite,
Of nun eye am a wear.
Now spelling does not phase me,
It does knot bring a tier.
My pay purrs awl due glad den
With wrapped words fare as hear.
To rite with care is quite a feet
Of witch won should be proud,
And wee mussed dew the best wee can,
Sew flaws are knot aloud.
Sow ewe can sea why aye dew prays
Such soft wear four pea seas,
And why eye brake in two averse
Buy righting want too please.
[source unknown]
--
Swingman wrote:
> On 9/8/2010 8:29 PM, Morgans wrote:
>> "Swingman"<[email protected]> wrote
>>
>>> Yeppers ... folks often ask how I learned woodworking. The answer has
>>> always been I never knew that you had to "learn" how.
>>>
>>> When told to build picnic tables for the church bazaar at the age of
>>> nine,
>>> I was pointed to a picnic table and simply told "... do it like that."
>>>
>>> Nuff said ... ;)
>>
>> Yes, on being able to look at something and make something new based
>> on it.
>>
>> The next step in learning is to look at it, and make something like
>> it, but
>> modified to suit your needs and available resources.
>>
>> The largest step is being able to combine several ideas and methods
>> into a
>> totally new idea. That is the hardest thing to teach, but it also the
>> most
>> important.
>>
>> As I teach my youngsters, I will never be able to show them how to do
>> every
>> type of construction detail they will run into if they stay in the
>> trade for
>> life. The key is to teach them how to think. How to use what they know to
>> figure out how to get from problem to solution; one that they have never
>> used before.
>
> They're lucky to have a teacher like you!
I'd guess most everyone here who read that had a similar thought.
Bill
"Lee Michaels" <leemichaels*nadaspam* at comcast dot net> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
>
> "Lobby Dosser" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> "Lee Michaels" <leemichaels*nadaspam* at comcast dot net> wrote in
>> message news:[email protected]...
>>>
>>> I grew up on a farm that used hare drawn equipment pulled behind a
>>> tractor.
>>
>> Belgians?
>>
> Nope, International Harvester and John Deere.
>
> And I was referring to the equipment, not the draft animal.
>
> Nothing like a good typo, eh?
Tends to bring out the comedian.
"Morgans" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Lobby Dosser" <[email protected]> wrote
>
>> Tends to bring out the comedian.
>
> A good typo brings out the comedian, no doubt.
>
> I wonder what a good pun brings out?
Hissing!
Kevin wrote:
> Last night I was watching the "Handyman Challenge" and their first
> challenge went something like this: You get 2 sheets of 3/4" plywood.
> You have access to some crappy craftsman tools, table saw, CMS,
> circular saw, jig saw, drill, belt sander, probably a few others.
> Didn't see any routers or nail guns. An assortment of screws and
> hinges are available. You have 90 minutes. Build something.
>
> What would you do?
>
> What would you do if you had the same supplies but your own shop to
> work in?
>
> -Kevin
I would say fuck this and that I'm slow, old and lazy. Call me in a
year or two.
mahalo,
captain dickwad
:-)
90 minutes???
Build a plywood sheet goods rack.
"Kevin" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
Last night I was watching the "Handyman Challenge" and their first
challenge went something like this: You get 2 sheets of 3/4" plywood.
You have access to some crappy craftsman tools, table saw, CMS,
circular saw, jig saw, drill, belt sander, probably a few others.
Didn't see any routers or nail guns. An assortment of screws and
hinges are available. You have 90 minutes. Build something.
What would you do?
What would you do if you had the same supplies but your own shop to
work in?
-Kevin
"Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> IOW, despite the upbringing, you would have to pry my cold dead hands off
> my TS75 and guide rails.
> Viva Festool! ;)
Price aside, I wonder how the Domino would have gone over some fifty years
ago? Think that period would have preceeded biscuit joiners too for the most
part. Guess dowelling would have been the order of the day. I've been
playing with my my Domino several times a week. Haven't used it to build
anything yet, but there's a number of examples of pieces of wood 'invisibly'
held together around my place. It sure has plenty of toy value built into
it.
On 9/8/2010 2:38 PM, Lee Michaels wrote:
> I grew up on a farm that used hare drawn equipment pulled behind a
> tractor. It stayed outside and often needed repairs. Needless to say, no
> parts or manuals were available. My dad would come up to me and say, the
> hay loader is broken down in the back field, go fix it. I would grab
> some tools and a trusty coil of baling wire, and go fix it. No training,
> just went and did it. Because, until it got fixed, I didn't eat. How's
> that for motivation?
Yeppers ... folks often ask how I learned woodworking. The answer has
always been I never knew that you had to "learn" how.
When told to build picnic tables for the church bazaar at the age of
nine, I was pointed to a picnic table and simply told "... do it like that."
Nuff said ... ;)
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 4/15/2010
KarlC@ (the obvious)
On Mon, 06 Sep 2010 21:37:47 -0400, Michael Kenefick
<[email protected]> wrote:
>What station airs the Handyman Challenge?
It was on HGTV. Wouldn't really recommend it, it has Mike Holmes in
it so I thought it might be good but it's just a vehicle for overt
product placement for Sears. I thought it was an interesting
challenge though.
Personally I would be tempted to say screw it and ask if I could take
the plywood home with me instead of waste it, if it looked like decent
stuff. 40 sheets of ply wasted.
I would probably have whipped up a circular saw guide off the edge of
the plywood while I thought about what to build. Probably a tool
chest, rolling if they had any casters. Whip up the chest quick as
possible and then add whatever I could with whatever time was left.
You can get a lot done in 90 minutes if you don't panic.
Out of the 20 people, there were a couple half decent dog houses, I
think 4 wine racks (all clustered together so 3 people had no idea
what to do) all of which were horrible. A big table that looked
decent from a distance but the understructure was pretty nasty (but
the judges seemed to like it) A couple chairs. A headboard that was
pretty heinous. And then some real crap.
The second challenge was a piece of ply about 4'x4' with a hexagon
and a rounded rectangle attached to it, in just odd angled positions.
They had to cut holes in another piece of ply so that it would fit
over the two shapes. In 15 minutes. With just a tape measure, piece
of string, pencil, drill, jig saw. I don't think they had a square
which was ridiculous. But one person actually managed it, with 4
minutes to spare. One fellow decided to just freehand draw it and
hope for the best.
There was also a what is wrong with this rough framed wall test.
Then the Sears guy gave them a test to see if they could identify some
tools, some old stuff and then you can guess what else he showed them.
I guess it was supposed to make the Craftsman stuff look super high
tech, but all I thought was all that old stuff people still want
around after 50 years and all the crap you just showed will be on
craigslist or in a landfill next year.
-Kevin
[email protected] wrote:
> On Sep 8, 10:45 am, "Lew Hodgett" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> The best lesson I learned from those guys was that with a hammer,
> nails, a drill and screws and a good circular saw and a framing square
> you can do just about anything.
>
> Now when I hire someone, they are so damn tool reliant it is
> unbelievable. And not one inventive bone in the bodies. When I have
> one of them telling me that they need a certain tool or they can't
> work, I always think of my first boss.
>
> He was nasty. If he saw you at a loss because you didn't have the
> exact tool you wanted, he would yell at you so everyone could hear.
> "So what now, do you want to go home? You don't have what you want so
> you want to quit? This part of the job shuts down because you don't
> have that one particular tool? Robert.... do you think wherever and
> whenever you go to work you will have a shop full of tools pulled
> behind you in a trailer? Figure it out, or go get a broom and start
> sweeping."
>
It's still awfully hard to tighten a Phillips-head screw with a fern.
What station airs the Handyman Challenge?
On 09/06/2010 08:31 PM, Kevin wrote:
> Last night I was watching the "Handyman Challenge" and their first
> challenge went something like this: You get 2 sheets of 3/4" plywood.
> You have access to some crappy craftsman tools, table saw, CMS,
> circular saw, jig saw, drill, belt sander, probably a few others.
> Didn't see any routers or nail guns. An assortment of screws and
> hinges are available. You have 90 minutes. Build something.
>
> What would you do?
>
> What would you do if you had the same supplies but your own shop to
> work in?
>
> -Kevin
Another reply that needs to be saved to the archives.
Excellent.
On 9/7/2010 10:41 PM, [email protected] wrote:
> In the best Don LaFontane voice:
>
> Imagine a world with no Sketchup.
> A world without nailguns.
> A place without Dominoes, DowelMax or biscuit machines.
> A universe that didn't know a simple project required thousands of
> dollars of tools, and weeks of planning.