Hello from The NW near Manchester... almost an ex Design Technology Teacher of 30 years here to introduce myself.

[Fred48]

@

Hello Fred, well, thank you very much for saying so. I`ve heard from so many retired people how they ever found the time to 'work'. I`m a bit of a 'List' man, … and it would appear that the list I have for my upcoming retirement is my longest one yet!

Hi Chris,
One of the benefits I was grateful for was having time to do a really good job and not being restricted to a deadline. What a luxury.

One of thing I had time to do was attend a three week course with the late David Charlesworth. That was superb. By the sounds of things your list will bring you great joy and happiness. I hope so.
All the best Fred

 

[Chris Jones]

Hello Fred,

Oh, my word! I can only imagine what a fantastic experience it was to spend three weeks in the company of the Late, Great, David Charlesworth. And now I presume you constantly have the obligatory short rule in your breast pocket for that final `shave`

Congratulations on your experience, Fred.

I `think` I know exactly what you mean regarding taking your time to do a good job. My now elderly Father, cantankerous and impatient, I might add, simply cannot get his head around the fact that I am now into my third year of building my workshop and its contents, and I am still only 3/4 of the way through. I have always, and without exception, taken much time to plan, consider, and slowly craft the entire process. I have made every single piece of it including some of the equipment. It is an absolute pleasure to do in itself. I sometimes must pinch myself that little old me created it; believe me... I have had to have some serious words with myself to not rush many times over during the process.

Fantastic to chat with you, Fred. Take Care

Chris

 

[Fred48]

Hello Fred,

Oh, my word! I can only imagine what a fantastic experience it was to spend three weeks in the company of the Late, Great, David Charlesworth. And now I presume you constantly have the obligatory short rule in your breast pocket for that final `shave`

Congratulations on your experience, Fred.

I `think` I know exactly what you mean regarding taking your time to do a good job. My now elderly Father, cantankerous and impatient, I might add, simply cannot get his head around the fact that I am now into my third year of building my workshop and its contents, and I am still only 3/4 of the way through. I have always, and without exception, taken much time to plan, consider, and slowly craft the entire process. I have made every single piece of it including some of the equipment. It is an absolute pleasure to do in itself. I sometimes must pinch myself that little old me created it; believe me... I have had to have some serious words with myself to not rush many times over during the process.

Fantastic to chat with you, Fred. Take Care

Chris

Hi Chris,
The three weeks course was exceptional value for money. I learnt so much.
Sharpening, timber preparation, through / lapped dovetails. The other great advantage was he allowed the students to stay in the workshop at the end of the working day. I certainly took advantage of that.

The image above my name is a box i entered in the Furniture and Cabinetmaking mag/ Axminster 2003? Competition that gained me 2nd place in the trained amateur category. That would not have been possible without attending the course.
I've enjoyed the chat to. All the best
Fred

 

[mancmc]

Welcome Chris!
I retired a couple of years ago. Set up my workshop in the attached garage. Never enough space, but sometimes I work on the driveway. Obviously, when the weather is a bit warmer than at the moment. My Hammer bandsaw is on wheels, therefore I can move into the open for more space.
I started my love for working with wood, 48 years ago. 4 years apprenticeship as a Bench Hand Joiner, Cabinet Maker for 6 years, making bespoke reproduction antique furniture. Joinery manufacture and then a Setter out for a Co making laboratory furniture. Finished my years working for a Electricity Distribution Co.
Doing what I can, when I can. I have a Vicmarc lathe and I am self taught.
I also am in the NW over in Clifton, near Swinton. Few pics attached.

 

[mancmc]

Welcome Chris!
I retired a couple of years ago. Set up my workshop in the attached garage. Never enough space, but sometimes I work on the driveway. Obviously, when the weather is a bit warmer than at the moment. My Hammer bandsaw is on wheels, therefore I can move into the open for more space.
I started my love for working with wood, 48 years ago. 4 years apprenticeship as a Bench Hand Joiner, Cabinet Maker for 6 years, making bespoke reproduction antique furniture. Joinery manufacture and then a Setter out for a Co making laboratory furniture. Finished my years working for a Electricity Distribution Co.
Doing what I can, when I can. I have a Vicmarc lathe and I am self taught.
I also am in the NW over in Clifton, near Swinton.

 

[Chris Jones]

Hi Chris,
The three weeks course was exceptional value for money. I learnt so much.
Sharpening, timber preparation, through / lapped dovetails. The other great advantage was he allowed the students to stay in the workshop at the end of the working day. I certainly took advantage of that.

The image above my name is a box i entered in the Furniture and Cabinetmaking mag/ Axminster 2003? Competition that gained me 2nd place in the trained amateur category. That would not have been possible without attending the course.
I've enjoyed the chat to. All the best
Fred

Hi Fred,

Who wouldn`t take advantage of that circumstance? It clearly was an experience that you shall never forget and will undoubtedly lean on the skills you have learnt for years and years to come. As a Design and Technology Teacher, it is probably the most rewarding aspect of my job, to ‘send’ my students off on their journeys with memories of my teachings. Learnings that will stay with them forever and then onto develop their own style and signature. It is also hoped that in turn, their memories of me, also.

I certainly remember all the teachings of my ‘Master’ craftsman ‘George’

Congratulations on second place, that’s some accolade to be proud of. And what a beautiful piece. It looks like white oak (Quercus alba) with some beautiful medullary lines. The feet are interesting also. But those handles! wow… do they form a complete oriental symbol when all three are combined vertically? it certainly looks that way. Ebony, by any chance.

A beautiful piece, Fred.

 

[Fred48]

Hi Fred,

Who wouldn`t take advantage of that circumstance? It clearly was an experience that you shall never forget and will undoubtedly lean on the skills you have learnt for years and years to come. As a Design and Technology Teacher, it is probably the most rewarding aspect of my job, to ‘send’ my students off on their journeys with memories of my teachings. Learnings that will stay with them forever and then onto develop their own style and signature. It is also hoped that in turn, their memories of me, also.

I certainly remember all the teachings of my ‘Master’ craftsman ‘George’

Congratulations on second place, that’s some accolade to be proud of. And what a beautiful piece. It looks like white oak (Quercus alba) with some beautiful medullary lines. The feet are interesting also. But those handles! wow… do they form a complete oriental symbol when all three are combined vertically? it certainly looks that way. Ebony, by any chance.

A beautiful piece, Fred.

Hi Chris,
The late great David Charlesworth was the best woodwork teacher i ever had, and I didn't hesitate to tell him.

At school Don Hall taught me woodwork through to A level. It was a joy for me going back to my old school and meeting up with him. By this time he was retired and not in the best of health.

I took along a lovely little box made from quilted maple, constructed with miniature dovetails and fitted with a small drawer. I also had the pleasure of expressing my gratitude to him. It was a great day for me and I know it was for him and his wife.

The box is made from white oak, ebony handles and feet. The drawer bottoms from cedar of Lebanon, such a lovely fragrance. With regards to the handles, I just wanted what I thought was a Japanese theme and came up with that result. They don't represent any symbol (well I hope not).

Thanks for the compliment Chris.