Alistair ! is he a phoney

[Alistair Hosie]

Well I may not be a phoney but as most of you know I am really a woodworker (hobbiest woodworker)who got into matalworking for the excuse that I might be able to make jigs and things for my woodworking hobby.To date I haven't been too successful.I have the basics and as you all know when I started this forum I had problems with my lathe A Boxford read in the Southbend 9 inch U S A. I had to remove the saddle and was nervous as I thought all sorts of things would spring out all over the place so little was my experience then .With the help of my good friens on this chat forum I was eased through the procedure and took it completely apart and successfuly repaired it too now working fine.So why do I feel a phoney I suppose when I read all the things you guys are up to I stand in awe and realise my own humble attempts at machining etc , however I have definately come a long way since those early days.I am still not a machinist or anything like it but by reading and not being afraid to try and with the help of my pals here, I feel at home on the forum.
After all I am not even a trained woodworker and learned all I know from reading about it from books and the videos of Norm Abram and others like him but mostly from books and trying it from scratch.
So I am really in all aspects a phoney who is striving to do better but the important thing I want to say is that I am so at home with you guys I hope to be with you for a long time to come .Thanks to all of you for malking me feel so welcome last year which was a difficult time for me and hope you can put up with me for another and beyond. Brotherly Love to all of you guys from Alistair

[Rustybolt]

Don't mention it.

[Alistair Hosie]

Rustybolt I just did

[Tibertus]

Alistair

I agrue with my friends about what project did they think was Norm's best. My thought is his best project was a boxing ring. Yep, you never see it but I think it's out back of his shop. When equipment vendor's and tool makers show up to try to get their stuff on the show. Norm puts the top two in the ring and says, "the person that walks out of that ring, his stuff is on the show". There must be all kinds of broken teeth, blood and a lot of skin in that ring, must look like the old Roman Gladiator school.
Anyway, feel free to hang around we ejoy your company. And your being to hard on yourself.

Peace

[gizmo2]

NORM!!! He's only on occasionally here, and then very late at night or pre-dawn. Even so, I've managed to tape about 25 of his projects. He makes it look so easy! He even made Bob Villa look good, and how many of us could do that? My woodworking gets better, albeit less frequent, as I learn more about metal munching. Life is good in the shop, no matter what material I'm butchering.

[George Hodge]

Alistair,if you've still got all those fingers you started out with,you're a pro! Whether you work with wood or metal,doesn't make much difference. I enjoy your insight from the other side of the pond !!George

[Alistair Hosie]

Something that has always fascinated me does anyone do a programme on T V for machining. I can get enough videos here on woodworking to supply Woolworths but not one on machining be it milling or lathe work I know there is a guy who does it in the States I wrote to him and he said he was looking at an international format but I don't see any.

Tibertus I'm not trying to be hard on myself it just occured to me out of all the imput I give here not much is about machining and even then its usually educated guess work.
So although I was pathetically honest about my lack of skills at the beginning I just had a feeling from guys on the forum who seemed to think I was a top notch cookie at the subject and I just felt it better to remind you how humble I should really be regarded when standing beside most of you guys.Listen to Thrud , John Stevenson ,Docsteve,Albert, etc etc and you will know what I am trying to say.Alistair

[Thrud]

Don't let Alistair fool you. He is an excellent craftsman and outstanding Scotsman. I have seen his handiwork and am impressed. He got this bad habit no doubt, from making all those false teeth for people. One has to be anal retentive about details when you make teeth for people.

And he has done some nice mods to his woodworking gear to suit his needs.

I tip my hat.

I, on the other hand - still can't see my floor (and not JUST because of "overhang")!

[ShavingMaker]

Alistair, Alistair, Alistair... you Trojan horse you... you wooden be trying to carve out a splinter group now, wood you?

[lone waddie]

We are not born with a headful of knowledge. You are to be commended for your life long persuit of craftsmanship, Alistair. I have been an electrician 25 years and everyday is a learning experience. I will be forever in your debt for the geography lesson. There is no 'Isle of England' but there are "The British Isles"

[Alistair Hosie]

lonewadie and the best bit of it is?

SCOTLAND SCOTLAND SCOTLAND SCOTLAND SCOTLAND

[Thrud]

ShavingMaker:
that's good...

Scotland - land of Pure Single malts, Curling rocks, golf balls, kilts, tabers, and sassy Scotish lass' - What's not to love?

[Tibertus]

Alistair


Ok, I see your point. Looking forward to hanging out here with you....


Thrud

Testify brother testify!!!

Peace

[Alistair Hosie]

Thanks guys Alistair maybe we will all meet one day,

Then you'll get a shock .Talk about the Auld Scottie taking ugly lessons.