Post a photo of the last thing you made

[Cabinetman]

And all to massage the unemployment figures.

So now we start work at 18 or 21 and retire at 67. there are a lot of kids who would be much better off working from 14 as my Dad did and given day release to top up practical skills. Keeping people in school teaching them subjects they see no practical use for teaches them to do the minimum they can get away with.

There is a lot of truth in what you say, how much of what I was taught in school could I remember within a year, also how much of it has been of any use to me – yes okay English maths woodwork technical drawing and I think that’s about it, have been of use.
I used to have a theory that children should be psychologically examined to find out what sort of a brain they had before they were taught things in secondary school, some, like me have a natural ability for inventing-making things and mechanics, some are natural musicians, some artists and others find joy in history or geography etc. I sometimes think that we would all be happier and better off if we utilised and developed the natural talents we were given.

 

[Jacob]

There is a lot of truth in what you say, how much of what I was taught in school could I remember within a year, also how much of it has been of any use to me – yes okay English maths woodwork technical drawing and I think that’s about it, have been of use.
I used to have a theory that children should be psychologically examined to find out what sort of a brain they had before they were taught things in secondary school, some, like me have a natural ability for inventing-making things and mechanics, some are natural musicians, some artists and others find joy in history or geography etc. I sometimes think that we would all be happier and better off if we utilised and developed the natural talents we were given.

I don't agree about natural talent - it's more about opportunities and inspiration given, if you are lucky.
There's no known way to discover talent instantly though plenty have been tried. But the slow way works - invest more in education, provide more opportunities and so on.
Education is supposed develop learning skills, encourage interest, open doors to new opportunities - it's not just about remembering a load of stuff!

 

[Dr Al]

Lovely box S/Donkey; the Beech lid looks terrific !
What is the low shrub like plant in the background ?

Looks like lavender to me.

 

[Seaside Donkey]

What is the low shrub like plant in the background ?

Looks like lavender to me.

Yup, it's lavender.

 

[J-G]

I don't agree about natural talent

Now there's a surprise !!

 

[Fitzroy]

Any chance we can spin off a separate thread for a discussion on skill, education, etc, etc? Keep getting a ping that someone has posted a new photo of the last thing they have made for me to come gawp at, and then...............................................

 

[Cordy]

Yes, I thought Lavender
All our Lavender has died off over winter
Unexplained death

 

[ajsimmo]

The wife wanted a drying rack for her neoprene stuff (winter swimming). Quick & easy solution -

 

[Sarah250617]

Very new to using a lathe (3 months) and I thought why not use resin too?? Not too bad

 

[Cabinetman]

Very new to using a lathe (3 months) and I thought why not use resin too?? Not too bad

Looks a bit fishy to me ha ha, did you turn the resin as well? Ian

 

[Sarah250617]

Looks a bit fishy to me ha ha, did you turn the resin as well? Ian

Haha! My nephew loves it. Yes I did turn the resin. Turned the base first, made a mold. Poured and set the resin and then turned the whole thing. It turns quite nicely to be fair. Just a nightmare to polish up

 

[PaulArthur]

Was commissioned by a relative to make two small sideboards to fit either side of an archway in a dining room, and to fit in with the existing colour scheme of other wood in the room of very dark brown and black wood. This had a lot of veneering, edge banding with oak strips dyed with India ink, contrasting interior veneer, and then oak drawers, and doors veneered in the same way as the cabinets.

What a pain. I am better at veneer now though than when I started!

 

[gasman]

Kneehole writing desk in Brazilian mahogany with crotch mahogany veneered drawer fronts, drawers in olive ash, recycled brass handles and an inlaid blue leather skiver top

 

[D_W]

One more set of chisels, but this time the bolsters are permanently forge welded to the tangs. Handles of granadillo on some, others waiting yet.

These are for me to keep. Most granadillo is a more oak-like rosewoodish wood. The finish on these handles is burnished wax with only a couple of drops of shellac. Smoothest wood I've ever used, like ebony, but with stronger long grain.

And one later photo after fitting all of the handles.

 

[danst96]

Kneehole writing desk in Brazilian mahogany with crotch mahogany veneered drawer fronts, drawers in olive ash, recycled brass handles and an inlaid blue leather skiver topView attachment 109059View attachment 109060

That is beautiful

 

[Sandyn]

A quick garden seat made from recycled wood. The slats from an old fence. The frame from support beams for a gym hall.

Some light weight flower pot stands. As quick as I made them, my wife was finding pots for them.

 

[Droogs]

@Sandyn nicely done on the bench, was gonna be cheeky and ask how big you MIL's backside is if you had to use gym hall supports

 

[Peri]

I wanted something to fit on the shelf, to bring order to the actual pile of files, pliers, screwdrivers and assorted bits that were loosely dumped there.

Made over a couple of weekends using timber I still had from the science desk stretchers I rescued from the skip 2 years ago. Even made the draw pulls myself

 

[Sandyn]

nicely done on the bench, was gonna be cheeky and ask how big you MIL's backside is if you had to use gym hall supports

ohhhhhhhhh you are in trouble!!! I'm going to tell her what you said.

 

[TRITON]

There is a lot of truth in what you say, how much of what I was taught in school could I remember within a year, also how much of it has been of any use to me – yes okay English maths woodwork technical drawing and I think that’s about it, have been of use.
I used to have a theory that children should be psychologically examined to find out what sort of a brain they had before they were taught things in secondary school, some, like me have a natural ability for inventing-making things and mechanics, some are natural musicians, some artists and others find joy in history or geography etc. I sometimes think that we would all be happier and better off if we utilised and developed the natural talents we were given.

Sounds a bit animal farm like there CM.
Some must be workers, others leaders. I think thats a dangerous path to head down.

"People with a natural ability", well im not sure of that and sociology isn't agreed on that either. you can have an interest in one thing or the other, but i dont think its inbuilt, more a set of influences, from parents, and from society.

Nice drawer unit Peri. Might i humbly suggest something like leather or rubber sheeting on the top, as its a handy place to put tools in use. Save scratching it up.