One of Those Days – aka, I Need a Cruise

[MicCanberra]

31 minutes ago, JVes said:

I'm sure we all do. So let me come up with mine:

 

It's my birthday tomorrow. (23rd)
Mum's just come out of hospital with serious sh*t that includes surgery.
Dad's over 80 and has the sort of fragile health you'd expect in someone that old.
My brother's only coherent 2 or 3 hours of the day.
Bestie has constant chronic illness.
My niece has twins and I haven't been able to see them yet.
And I busted something in my back day before yesterday and it still hurrrrrrrttttssss.

And my birthday present from my hubby won't come until the 26th.

 

I need a cruise.

 

Yep, you sure do.

[arxcards]

48 minutes ago, Ozwoody said:

I'm a little fuzzy as to exactly what a patternmaker is, am i right in thinking they make a complete replica of a metal item, but out of wood?

What happens then? is it used to make a mould?

 

Yep, for bar conversation I couldn't put it any simpler. For metal castings, it is somewhat of a replica, made slightly oversized to allow the molten metal to contract to the correct dimensions. For any undercuts or internal shapes/holes (think engine block), separate pieces of sand were moulded then assembled in the overall mould as somewhat of a 3D jigsaw puzzle. The void in the mould was then filled with the required molten metal. It was definitely a measure twice, cut once occupation.

 

I also did the same for making fibreglass moulds, mostly for interior train panels. I still annoy Barb by running my fingers over a curved window surround panel on one of our older local trains and saying something like - awesome curve.

 

On the tack of one of those days, there were lots of awesome days. There were other days when a month of meticulous work was returned in a dozen pieces. Chemically bonded foundry sand tended to grip the pattern a bit, and a sledgehammer was the tool of choice for some foundry moulders.

 

With very little heavy engineering in Australia now, there are very few patternmakers active in their trade.

[Ozwoody]

1 hour ago, arxcards said:

Yep, for bar conversation I couldn't put it any simpler. For metal castings, it is somewhat of a replica, made slightly oversized to allow the molten metal to contract to the correct dimensions. For any undercuts or internal shapes/holes (think engine block), separate pieces of sand were moulded then assembled in the overall mould as somewhat of a 3D jigsaw puzzle. The void in the mould was then filled with the required molten metal. It was definitely a measure twice, cut once occupation.

 

I also did the same for making fibreglass moulds, mostly for interior train panels. I still annoy Barb by running my fingers over a curved window surround panel on one of our older local trains and saying something like - awesome curve.

 

On the tack of one of those days, there were lots of awesome days. There were other days when a month of meticulous work was returned in a dozen pieces. Chemically bonded foundry sand tended to grip the pattern a bit, and a sledgehammer was the tool of choice for some foundry moulders.

 

With very little heavy engineering in Australia now, there are very few patternmakers active in their trade.

When you mentioned Barb's reaction to you appreciating some ones work, it struck a cord.

As a Fire Engineer, when I walk into buildings, I can't help looking up to see how the fire systems have been installed. Hil says stop looking up people are wondering what's up there. Especially if I try to point out something to her.😄

[Jean C]

9 hours ago, Ozwoody said:

I'm a little fuzzy as to exactly what a patternmaker is, am i right in thinking they make a complete replica of a metal item, but out of wood?

What happens then? is it used to make a mould?

 

Yes, absolutely, that's what it is.  I remember one of the things hubby made for a trade exam was an accurate sphere from a block of wood - I can't even get my head around how you could do that, but that's the sort of thing they can do 🤔  In time, with foundries closing, those jobs diminished, and hubby, having the gift of the gab, morphed into a salesman.

[Jean C]

Hahaha, I was taught well, with hubby's woodworking abilities I learnt to recognise different woods, and have a real appreciation of beautiful shapes - even in this day and age people don't expect that sort of admiration from a female  😂 

[arxcards]

A definite marine connection back through time with the manufacture of propellers. This guy must have had one of those days, or he is as rough as guts. Way too much car bog, and use of rasps and grinding tools. I didn't ever make one anywhere near that large, but we made them from timber, not plywood. They were shaped with spokeshaves and drawknives, and anyone who had to use car bog on a work of art would be sneered at by the other tradesmen.

 

The video is short, but there are 100's of hours in one of these.

 

[MicCanberra]

We all reflect back on work we have done, places we have worked, or judge how others have done what we used to do. We also have partners that are drawn in on these things sometimes as an irritation sometimes as a joint knowledge.

I know specialist knowledge rubs off as my wife has often been asked how to repair or explain how to fix something that was part of my trade, and has been able to do it.

[Jean C]

Absolutely, but I also think some people have the Practical Gene that gives them a significant advantage over those it eluded - male and female alike 🙂

[Ozwoody]

24 minutes ago, arxcards said:

A definite marine connection back through time with the manufacture of propellers. This guy must have had one of those days, or he is as rough as guts. Way too much car bog, and use of rasps and grinding tools. I didn't ever make one anywhere near that large, but we made them from timber, not plywood. They were shaped with spokeshaves and drawknives, and anyone who had to use car bog on a work of art would be sneered at by the other tradesmen.

 

The video is short, but there are 100's of hours in one of these.

 

Some peoples handwork skills are amazing, I've watched many videos of craftsmen/women, making things that leave me in awe. Recently watch a Japanese craftsman build a small temple about 8 metres square and tall with pagoda style roof, all with hand tools, no metal work, not even nails, no glue, every joint was shaped to interlock and self support.

 

[lyndarra]

10 hours ago, Ozwoody said:

My tool box is my work shop, I quietly built it up over the years under the guise of renovating the house.

In some cases I had to use devious means, for example, I really wanted a particular tool that could cut wood, metal, trim flat with the floor, and sand things, called a multi tool.

Their expensive so was wary of telling Hil I wanted it, so when she asked what she could do to help, I set her to sanding in tight spots around the windows, when she was finding it time consuming and difficult, I offered to get her a sanding tool to help her. (Yes I feel guilty, BUT I have my multi-sander!🤭).

 

My late wife would buy me tools I needed as Christmas and birthday presents. E.g 12 cfm compressor and dial guage are two I can remember. I've been working on home maintenance this last year and had the benefit of two hot air guns (paintstripping) and two orbital and belt sanders because she used to insist on helping.

[Ozwoody]

16 minutes ago, Jean C said:

Absolutely, but I also think some people have the Practical Gene that gives them a significant advantage over those it eluded - male and female alike 🙂

Oh so right Jean, its like musical talent, some just inspire with their gift.

I have the musical talent of a lead bell, if I sing, I have to convince the police I was not torturing a cat.😆

 

ps

I do have some talents, for instance I often tell Hil I'm being logical.

Did I mention however I'm not very good at tact?

Edited January 22 by Ozwoody
Ps

[arxcards]

2 hours ago, Jean C said:

Hahaha, I was taught well, with hubby's woodworking abilities I learnt to recognise different woods, and have a real appreciation of beautiful shapes - even in this day and age people don't expect that sort of admiration from a female  😂 

I am not sure that Barb has picked-up many of my technical interests. I loved the smell of turning up pieces of Huon pine but it just made Barb sneeze. She has learned not to measure anything with one of my old contraction rules - once bitten.

[MicCanberra]

11 minutes ago, arxcards said:

I am not sure that Barb has picked-up many of my technical interests. I loved the smell of turning up pieces of Huon pine but it just made Barb sneeze. She has learned not to measure anything with one of my old contraction rules - once bitten.

things may appear larger 😜

[Jean C]

Hahaha, anything I learned maths-related at school is long forgotten, and I definitely didn't get the Maths Gene. Do you Aussies get the British programme Repair Shop? The craftspeople that work on repairing old treasured items of all descriptions are amazingly talented. Also, the items brought in are often absolutely incredible works of art.

[Ozwoody]

29 minutes ago, Jean C said:

Hahaha, anything I learned maths-related at school is long forgotten, and I definitely didn't get the Maths Gene. Do you Aussies get the British programme Repair Shop? The craftspeople that work on repairing old treasured items of all descriptions are amazingly talented. Also, the items brought in are often absolutely incredible works of art.

Yes have watched it often, would love the workshop apron the lead craftsman wears.

Been looking around for some where to buy the really heavy canvas to make one.

But these days, no one seems to use it, only the light weight camping stuff.

 

[Jean C]

8 minutes ago, Ozwoody said:

Yes have watched it often, would love the workshop apron the lead craftsman wears.

Been looking around for some where to buy the really heavy canvas to make one.

But these days, no one seems to use it, only the light weight camping stuff.

 

Some of the home-made toys are incredibly well thought out and made to a "professional" standard that any engineer or the like would be proud if. And the woodwork repairs that Will does are beyond belief, you have to admire their abilities 🙂

[Ozwoody]

31 minutes ago, Jean C said:

Some of the home-made toys are incredibly well thought out and made to a "professional" standard that any engineer or the like would be proud if. And the woodwork repairs that Will does are beyond belief, you have to admire their abilities 🙂

I agree some of the items brought in look well past being repaired, then when it goes back to the owners they look almost brand new, in some cases they look better than they would have looked new.

They are definitely artisans in every sense.

 

[arxcards]

27 minutes ago, Ozwoody said:

I agree some of the items brought in look well past being repaired, then when it goes back to the owners they look almost brand new, in some cases they look better than they would have looked new.

They are definitely artisans in every sense.

 

It is great for TV, but in real life the cost in restoring many of those items would prohibit most people from getting them done.

[Jean C]

21 minutes ago, arxcards said:

It is great for TV, but in real life the cost in restoring many of those items would prohibit most people from getting them done.

Yes, a while ago I wondered who paid, I looked it up and the BBC does. I still wonder why some items that have such sentimental value/are so treasured are allowed to get into the state they're in on arrival at Repair Shop, and why the likes of Charlie-boy don't use their own resources to fix their own possessions - good PR coverage for him, his Estate and the craftsmanship programmes he runs for young people, I guess.

[JVes]

On 1/13/2024 at 5:36 PM, Ozwoody said:

He looks just like a dog, one of my other daughters has. I think that ones called a Groodle.

What is it these days with dogs, in my day if a dog was cross bred you called it a mongrel or a bitsa and they weren't worth much.

Now they give them fancy names and charge a fortune for them.

Must admit they great dogs anyway.

My dog was a "Lost Dog's Home" terrier.
Because that's where we got her, and they said she was "some sort of terrier". We chose her based on size, personality, and our ability to give her the care she'd need. And that she liked us, and we liked her.

Edited January 23 by JVes

[JVes]

Addendum: we had for for a wonderful 16 years. She died peacefully, surrounded by family and a vet she knew and loved. I miss her every day, but if there's any justice in the world, she is with her favourite two cats.

Hopefully now she and Shiro can understand each others' "I want to play" behaviours.

[Ozwoody]

3 hours ago, JVes said:

Addendum: we had for for a wonderful 16 years. She died peacefully, surrounded by family and a vet she knew and loved. I miss her every day, but if there's any justice in the world, she is with her favourite two cats.

Hopefully now she and Shiro can understand each others' "I want to play" behaviours.

My dog and our cat were great mates, so yes I too hope their happy together in another place.

[JVes]

7 hours ago, Ozwoody said:

My dog and our cat were great mates, so yes I too hope their happy together in another place.

We both need a cruise to celebrate the lives of our dogs and cats. And that beyond the rainbow, they are playing with their friends.

 

 

[arxcards]

It has been one of those days, where everyone wanted something at the same time.

 

Now is it just me today, same for work and home PCs. What is the go with the annoyingly nagging CC pop-up today?

[Ozwoody]

1 hour ago, arxcards said:

It has been one of those days, where everyone wanted something at the same time.

 

Now is it just me today, same for work and home PCs. What is the go with the annoyingly nagging CC pop-up today?

Haven't had any CC pop-ups, what do they say?