Important lesson for beginers

[Froggy]

Hi, I've just been lucky enough to have had a weeks tuition with Mr. T (aka Chris Tribe), and even luckier that it was in my workshop, using my machines. I've spent the last couple of years buying (mostly second hand) what I considered reasonable quality tools - a 12" wadkin table saw, kity p/t, etc. But Chris discovered that they were all inaccurate to some degree. I can't deny that I was on a bit of a downer for most of the week, wondering how I was going to be able to afford to up grade everything and to what? Chris told me he had a Felder which was very accurate, so I checked the price - cheapest TS around £8k :shock: :shock:
However it's slowly sinking in what a tremendous success the week was...and here's the lesson - we produced a fine console table by the end of the week using sleds, chuting board and hand tools. I've concentrated on buying machines that will do the job for me instead of a) getting tuition and b)learning how to use the basic hand tools to do the job. It's cheaper and far more rewarding. The machines can come latter to speed things up if you're in a hurry.
I honestly believe that if I'd had this tuition 2 years ago I'd be a lot further along in my woodwork than I am now. So my advice is spend the money on courses and hand tools, not the machines.
Thanks Chris I've really enjoyed my woodworking this week!

 

[Mattty]

Thats great news. Well done Chris.

 

[wizer]

That's fantastic. I often think that I could really use some proper tuition and would love to go on a course.

Hey Chris, what do think about spending a week in Dartford?? It's er, very Sunny (today)! :lol:

Sounds like you could have a little business there Froggy. Email all the makers around the world and offer them a week in France in exchange for tuition. You'll be Alan Peters by the end of the summer !!

 

[Froggy]

I think you're next on the hit lisy Wizer. I was telling Chris, my 9 year old daughter is in to woodworking and looks over my shoulder when I'm on the forum and reads everything and for some reason she always asks about you (could be something to do with the number of posts I think)! She asks how your fingers are by the way?

 

[9fingers]

Hi Froggy,

Whereabouts are you in SW France?

I'm heading in that general direction next Tuesday and spending 3 weeks near Villeneuve sur Lot.

Bob

 

[wizer]

Hi Froggy, yep the finger had healed better than I ever could have expected. 90% movement and 80% feeling. I hope my daughter at least takes a passing interest in my woodworking. Maybe we'll come down one summer and you can teach me all you've learned from Chris

oops, there goes another one for the post count :roll: :lol:

 

[Tony Spear]

You're not far from 15K now Tom!

What's the next step up from "Professional Mutterer"? 8)

 

[wizer]

Annoying Git...

 

[Froggy]

Hi Froggy,

Whereabouts are you in SW France?

I'm heading in that general direction next Tuesday and spending 3 weeks near Villeneuve sur Lot.

Bob

Hi Bob, I'm about 250km north of Villeneuve sur Lot. About 40km north of Limoges. If you're passing on the way down (if you're driving) pop in. Or if you fancy the trip up you're welcome. Send me a pm and I'll give you my address.
And Tom you're welcome too, any time, bring your daughter. Not sure I can teach you anything but you're welcome anyway. Do you get a trophy or something when you get to 15k posts? :roll:

 

[Froggy]

I hope my daughter at least takes a passing interest in my woodworking.

Hi Tom, my daughter wants to know how your's is?

 

[bugbear]

..But Chris discovered that they were all inaccurate to some degree.

EVERYTHING is inaccurate to some degree. The important question is are they accurate enough for the task at hand.

Further, as long as you acknowledge that your machines are not "absolutely accurate", there are working practices that minimise the consequences of inaccuracy, and design principles that reduce the accuracy requirments of a project.

BugBear

 

[wizer]

Lola is doing very well thanks Froggy. She is growing up faster than I ever imagined possible. Doing her ballet every weekend and we're taking her to her first swimming class next week. She's even managed to master potty training effortlessly. she's still a little thug tho

I'm just in the process of making this for her:

Your daughter into any of the cartoon characters?

 

[Froggy]

..But Chris discovered that they were all inaccurate to some degree.

EVERYTHING is inaccurate to some degree. The important question is are they accurate enough for the task at hand.

Further, as long as you acknowledge that your machines are not "absolutely accurate", there are working practices that minimise the consequences of inaccuracy, and design principles that reduce the accuracy requirments of a project.

BugBear

Absolutely right Bugbear, and that's part of the lesson I learnt last week.

Very nice room plaque Wizer. My youngest is quite a thug too!!

 

[Mr T]

Hi

Sorry to resurrect and old thread but I have finally gained access to some pictures of Tim's table.

Here is the undercarriage without to top:

Tim's daughter, Beth, helping with some planing:

Finally Tim and his table:

Regarding Tim's problems with his machines. I believe when we start with the craft we are embarking on a quest for accuracy! There are three main factors which determine how far we get on that quest, temperament, ability and equipment. There is not much one can do to change temperament, you've either got it or you haven't. Within certain limits ability comes with practice. But this process can be blocked if ones machines do not keep pace with developing abilities. It is possible to improve inaccurate machines to some degree, but it is frustrating and inefficient and eventually becomes a drag on ones development.

I mentioned my Felder to Tim, not because I thought he should go out and buy one, but to show that until I had the Felder I did not realise there was another level of accuracy. As a result of getting it I have been able to do things that were not possible before.There is probably another even more precise machine out there which can take my quest even further (if I had the money!)

Thanks to Tim and his family for a good week in the most relaxed part of a very relaxed country.

Pity about the dust cloud on the way back!

Chris