Ive done my time son, dont you worry about that.

[Pass the screwdriver]

Like my foreman once told me...
He was the consumate craftsman in my early year's. An introvert like most craftsmen are. Blowing his own trumpet ? Nothing could be further from the truth. But because his work was the highest quality on the shop floor he always got the job of making the most visible part of the Organ, the console. That's the keyboard and stops.
His work was perfect. There was no other way to describe it. He had the gift in spades. I'm competant but not in Terry's league. Not by a country mile.
Terry was respected though because he looked out for everyone, always happy to give good advice. He was a good man. Kind and never aggressive or patronising.
But petty jealousy reared its ugly head in the form of an interloper from another firm who wanted his job and started character assassinating him. Sabotaging his bench and work to make him look bad. Fortunately the lads were on to him and caught him stealing. He stole everyone's tools. The worst crime you can commit on the shop floor. He got the sack. But not before he had got to Terry. Tel had a nervous breakdown. He loved his work and that's all that mattered to him.
He never fully recovered from it.
I never forgot that. Or his advice.
What caused the breakdown specifically ?
He made the new console for St Paul's Cathedral. To put it in place they had to lift it up on a block and tackle. The block broke and the console was destroyed. Someone had sabotaged it. Many months of painstaking work ruined.
THAT is the reality out there in the real world. Petty jealousy. Dirty tricks.
RIP Terry. And thanks.
I was lucky, damned lucky, to have such a good foreman to teach me.

As for this forum ? I couldn't give two hoots. Ban me, your looking for an excuse. My work may as well be it. It was for Terry and many other honest blokes who got shafted just for being dedicated to doing a proper job.

 

[woodieallen]

Is that St Paul's London or St Pauls Minnesota?

 

[deema]

In my training I spent 6 months with an electronic organ builder, during which I time I had the good fortune to be in the good grace of an expert in British traditional wind organs. He took to all the major organs in the UK and through his contacts we went behind the scenes of each and everyone. All I can say, is that the skill, knowledge and time required to build and tune the instrument takes my breath away, they truly are as beautiful and well built in the goobins as they are to the face that the public sees.

Since those days I have often wondered how they were built, I suspected that there were different trades that built each part, the wooden and metal individual notes, the key boards, the pipe work etc etc, I’d love to know exactly how they were built, whether a team built the whole thing mastering each and every part or, as I suspected, it was specialists making the parts that were assembled within the frame?

 

[Pass the screwdriver]

That is one perspective.

It would appear it started off by disparaging the construction of a machine you had no first hand experience with.

Oh you mean the Powermatic that was auctioned off cheap because it doesn't have antikickback finger's ? Yeah, well when you have a class of twenty plus kids standing in front of a potential kick back it's something of a liability issue. All I did was warn of the dangers. Take it or leave it.
The fact remains that they are removed from schools for safety reasons. But because I attempted to illustrate my point to help people avoid getting hurt it was deleted and now the vultures have followed me here as I expected.

 

[Pass the screwdriver]

In my training I spent 6 months with an electronic organ builder, during which I time I had the good fortune to be in the good grace of an expert in British traditional wind organs. He took to all the major organs in the UK and through his contacts we went behind the scenes of each and everyone. All I can say, is that the skill, knowledge and time required to build and tune the instrument takes my breath away, they truly are as beautiful and well built in the goobins as they are to the face that the public sees.

Since those days I have often wondered how they were built, I suspected that there were different trades that built each part, the wooden and metal individual notes, the key boards, the pipe work etc etc, I’d love to know exactly how they were built, whether a team built the whole thing mastering each and every part or, as I suspected, it was specialists making the parts that were assembled within the frame?

It's a team effort Deema. By definition. Always has been. That's why ego doesn't get a foothold.
Organ builders know they need to work together to get the job done.
They were more than work colleagues. They were my brothers. We had each other's backs. We laughed, we cracked on, we loved our work. Loved it.
It was NEVER about ego. There was no time for it. It was more like, oh rubbish how are we going to get that reservoir in ?

 

[woodieallen]

Whenever pipe organs are mentioned I think about this short clip on Youtube. The scenario...London Royal Albert Hall organ. Anna Lapwood - one of the youngest Music Directors at one of the Cambridge colleges. The only time she could find to easily practice on this organ was overnight. One night Bonobo were setting up for their gig the next night and asked her if she could write a very short piece to slot into one of their pieces. Which she did. And here it is. I wish I'd been there...a fully-powered up RAH organ is a joy to hear. The reaction by the audience is fun but for me the rapture on Anna's face does it for me.

Hope you enjoy it and apologies for the slight track hijack.

 

[Bingy man]

But whatever level you may be at you never stop learning, that is what experience is all about.

This is exactly true - I’ve think the day I stop learning is s when I’m 6 ft under .

 

[Pass the screwdriver]

Well Deema, I appreciate your support but sadly realistically I'm used to this. The trouble is wherever woodwork reaches the level where it is considered " art" you get a lot of ugliness creeping in. I've always told people, if this inspires you, give it a go yourself.
But it's not for everyone and the truth is that a lot of good people get used in the " art" world.
That's why I bailed on it.
I've known colleagues who had their pensions stolen and their reputations destroyed when they dared to walk away.
But they can't take everything.
Didn't stop them following me here though did it ? Says a lot.
I got out but others were not so lucky. Debt, Alcoholism, lost fingers, lost health, lost hope.
I have, yes, what many envy. A workshop of my own. THAT I can understand. But I worked my rear off to build it myself. I scrounged and rebuilt every machine, every tool. I suspect you know how that is. Cheers and God bless.

 

[Ed Weber]

As for this forum ? I couldn't give two hoots. Ban me, your looking for an excuse. My work may as well be it. It was for Terry and many other honest blokes who got shafted just for being dedicated to doing a proper job.

I would say anyone is looking for an excuse to ban you from anything but it does beg the question, why are you here if you seem to have such disdain for everyone?

 

[Pass the screwdriver]

In my training I spent 6 months with an electronic organ builder, during which I time I had the good fortune to be in the good grace of an expert in British traditional wind organs. He took to all the major organs in the UK and through his contacts we went behind the scenes of each and everyone. All I can say, is that the skill, knowledge and time required to build and tune the instrument takes my breath away, they truly are as beautiful and well built in the goobins as they are to the face that the public sees.

Since those days I have often wondered how they were built, I suspected that there were different trades that built each part, the wooden and metal individual notes, the key boards, the pipe work etc etc, I’d love to know exactly how they were built, whether a team built the whole thing mastering each and every part or, as I suspected, it was specialists making the parts that were assembled within the frame?

To answer your question in brief on how they are built. There are a number of different types of organ. Mechanical, electropneumatic etc.
Metal pipes had their own dept. The woodshop built the case work, chests, racks, reservoirs and so on. The voicing shop tuned and regulated the pipes. The more skilled you were the more technically difficult your jobs were.
The best part about the work is the variety. And the installations. Every week was a different job. It never got boring. That's why we loved it. Some of the nicest most decent people you will ever meet.
It was like a second family. That's rare these day's.
Ego ? You must be kidding. On our pay ?
Carpenters and cabinet makers used to visit the shop and say " oh yeah, I could do that ! How much do you earn an hour ?"
When we told them they laughed at us for accepting such low wages. They were earning three times as much.

 

[Lons]

Hi pass the screwdriver.
If that truly is your work and there is no reason to think it isn't, then it's really superb and for that I applaud you, however you have started badly by preaching you have no ego but acting quite the opposite which certainly would keep me away from your posts. Yeah I know you don't care and tbh neither do I, I'm sure we'll all survive somehow.

There are strong indications you've had a hard time in the past and the impression is that it's left a chip on your shoulder causing you to be perhaps over sensitive and defensive. If that's the case please don't let it eat away at you, life is far too short and it would be a shame if you unintentionally alienated other members when you have much to offer.

I'm not trying to criticise just saying it how I see it and hope it doesn't offend.

As an aside, I have a brother in Sydney and my wife and I have done quite a bit of travelling in OZ, one of my favourite countries, the only thing I envy is the weather wide open spaces. We almost moved to Adelaide a very long time ago but I suspect my wife is pleased we didn't as she's scared stiff of spiders.

 

[Pass the screwdriver]

I would say anyone is looking for an excuse to ban you from anything but it does beg the question, why are you here if you seem to have such disdain for everyone?

Disdain ? Give me an example.
Or are you just out to get someone you envy ? I think that's the truth.
But have no fear. I'm sure you will soon be given reason to gloat.
Disdain. I have lost count of the times I have given free advice help and support to local hobbyists.
Free machining of timber. Free off cut's . Ah well. No good deed goes unpunished.
The only time I speak up is when I see the potential for someone to get themselves hurt. Seen to many casualties. It's a dangerous trade.
I knew a guy who lost three fingers doing an illegal shaping operation on a moulder because his boss made him do it that way. He never recovered. That injury broke him mentally as well as physically.
So no, I won't apologise for warning people of hurting themselves. It's a social duty. No more, no less.

 

[Pass the screwdriver]

Hi pass the screwdriver.
If that truly is your work and there is no reason to think it isn't, then it's really superb and for that I applaud you, however you have started badly by preaching you have no ego but acting quite the opposite which certainly would keep me away from your posts. Yeah I know you don't care and tbh neither do I, I'm sure we'll all survive somehow.

There are strong indications you've had a hard time in the past and the impression is that it's left a chip on your shoulder causing you to be perhaps over sensitive and defensive. If that's the case please don't let it eat away at you, life is far too short and it would be a shame if you unintentionally alienated other members when you have much to offer.

I'm not trying to criticise just saying it how I see it and hope it doesn't offend.

As an aside, I have a brother in Sydney and my wife and I have done quite a bit of travelling in OZ, one of my favourite countries, the only thing I envy is the weather wide open spaces. We almost moved to Adelaide a very long time ago but I suspect my wife is pleased we didn't as she's scared stiff of spiders.

Oh dear. How many times have I heard the chip on the shoulder line. Let me answer your accusation with a sincere question ? How many colleagues have you seen loose finger's in a machine ?
Lost their hard earned pension ?
Been humiliated and ripped off by their greedy ego driven boss ?
Waited for years for that promised pay rise that never came ?
Sure, I could cry victim but it doesn't help.
That's why the Journeyman moves on. I moved on.
I found a good wife, made a good home. I'm happy and contented.
Being banned from here ?
Not a problem.
Watching people get hurt and ripped off because I didn't try to warn them at least ?
I have a conscience. I was trained to look out for my friends on the shop floor.

 

[Chris152]

My head hurts.

 

[Pass the screwdriver]

My head hurts.

Take an aspirin.

 

[Pass the screwdriver]

Envy is a terrible thing. It can eat you alive. Ego is even worse.
But to make something with your own hand's that will last ? Feels good.
Machinery ? I need it to compete.
So when a good machine comes up cheap I'm pumped. No shame in that.
BUT some old machines are cheap because they are non compliant. They can get you hurt if your not familiar with them.
I got banned for saying that !
Crazy. And funny .

 

[JSW]

I knew a guy who lost three fingers doing an illegal shaping operation on a moulder because his boss made him do it that way. He never recovered. That injury broke him mentally as well as physically.

What, did the boss hold a gun to his head? No. The guy chose to do it that way. He may well have been put under pressure to do so, but the choice was his to make. 'He'd have gotten the sack if he hadn't' I hear you say, I'd say a small price to pay all things considered.

But this is the tip of the iceberg, you've only been a member for two days and seem to have a knack for rubbing folks the wrong way already. Try relaxing a little and going with the flow rather than constantly flexing your muscles.

 

[danst96]

This thread is amazing.

I thought I'd met all types of characters yet up pops one that truly is a new one for me, great entertainment.

Let me hazard a guess here, a 700 word reply coming next?

 

[Inspector]

You are a man of great skills that has had bad experiences acquiring those skills. I'm hoping you can set aside some of the baggage and share your knowledge by offering help to those that are looking for solutions to their problems.

Pete

 

[deema]

With the skill by and precision you’ve highlighted in the pictures, may I ask, how do you weight the keys to achieve a uniform feel across the entire keyboard? How do you compensate for the actuator part of the keys being different lengths and some being cranked. Equally, do you need to compensate for the different air pressures as you open up more stops. I would really enjoy and be interested in a thread on organ building