Contributor
Sorry Jim, all I work with is engineers and I have never met, in 30 + years anyone like you describe. You are probably referring to some 'train' engineers - not real engineers. You know, folks like the ones that ran your trolleys.Originally Posted by Jim Koepke
Contributor
This is laughable. Thanks Jim, I needed a chuckle
Contributor
No Pat, on my last job the train drivers were referred to as 'Train Operators' or TOs.
The engineers with whom I worked before were actual degreed/credentialed electronics and mechanical engineers. They had vast knowledge in some areas but very little practical knowledge or what some might consider common sense. This often happens when a person embarks on a single minded pursuit of a specialized discipline without taking time to take in other parts of life.
There actually were some engineer in my experience who did have a background in doing the 'grunt' work. They usually knew better than to use a screwdriver as a crow bar.
There are a few members here who have mentioned having a small shop and not wanting or feeling a need for anything extra. When the subject of chisels is brought up there are always some who say, "only buy the sizes you need." Not me, my philosophy is to buy all that come my way if they are of a good quality.
Even the Schwarz has written of lightening his tool box to what is minimally needed.
So chuckle if you like Pat, you are only indicating you lack understanding of life outside your own experience.
jtk
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
- Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)
Member
Yeah, I'm one of them. I only buy, and keep the tools I need.
Paul
Contributor
Thanks Paul, I can fully understand and appreciate this philosophy or way of living. I blame my father for giving me a pack rat gene so my way is different. I do not suffer from having too much accumulation of oddities, I enjoy every minute of it.
jtk
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
- Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)
Member
Jim, strangely enough, my wife would laugh her butt off if she saw this thread. She regularly accuses me of being a pack rat, largely because I don't think she realizes that a person with "only" five chisels (albeit all very high quality ones) and "only" four joinery saws (again high quality) isn't a pack rat. All my hand saws were made before my dad was born (1923.) Same with planes. I have the a smoother, a jointer, a jack a plow a couple of shoulder planes and a couple of router planes. Bought over a 15 year period (those were new.) Almost all my marking gauges are ancient.
It isn't just some noble thing. It's necessity, borne of my head injury, and subsequent existence on a pension, but I suspect I wouldn't be much different, frankly. I don't like debt.
She also thinks I'm a pack rat because I collect books. I was on a path to be an academic before my head injury derailed me. Books are not a pack rat thing!
its funny, when my dad sold our farm, he kept a fire burning for about a week to get rid of all the detritus he had gathered over the years.
Last edited by paul cottingham; 12-14-2016 at 2:45 AM.
Paul
Contributor
If I consider the person asking is skilled I would lend them anything but that never happens as they have their own tools. I've lent out clamps to someone making a table. My son borrows things and I fix them after. Edge tools requiring skilled sharpening never! So generally no!
I would lend power tools if the risk of serious injury is low.
Contributor
Howdy William and welcome to the Creek. My curiosity always makes me wonder were folks are from. Your profile doesn't have your location filled in, so where on this planet do you call home?
jtk
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
- Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)
Contributor
One of the first things made in my journey through woodworking was bookshelves to hold my library. Had to make more for Candy's library. Still need to make more.Books are not a pack rat thing!
Pretty soon we might need a cabinet to house a card catalog.
jtk
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
- Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)
Contributor
This is not unique to engineers. Software Development is filled with just such people. Brilliant, but sometimes lacking in practical knowledge.
-- Dan Rode
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." - Aristotle
Contributor
Don't get me started on "programers." It amazes me how much is not or can not be done by the computer systems in use in many places of business.
One example is our billing for natural gas. Candy, my wife, was having trouble paying through their website. While talking to the service center about this the person on the other end of the line mentioned, "oh you need to put a zero in before entering your account number. All the account numbers start with a zero that isn't printed on your bill and no mention is made of this on the web site." Someone somewhere has their head stuck up a place where the sun don't shine. If this was my only example, it would be an exception. Believe me, as one who has a degree in microprocessor technology, it amazes me how negligent to real needs some software developers can be.
jtk
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
- Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)
Member
Quick aside about programmers. True story. I walked into a room where I could hear a bunch of swearing that another student told me had been going on for a fair while. The programmer in question had been literally pounding on the machine with his fists, "cause it wouldn't turn on."
Wait it for it.
The monitor was off.
I seriously wish I was making this up.
Paul
Contributor
A person who doesn't understand why you don't want to lend tools is EXACTLY the kind of person who will keep them or screw them up.
Cry "Havoc," and let slip the dogs of bench.
I was socially distant before it was cool.
A little authority corrupts a lot.
Member
I balance the the tool replacement against the cost to say NO. Usually it means I will not borrow any of my main tools, perhaps some of the few spares (older or second line) I have. Basically I assume when borrow anything I am giving up it... if it returns, it is a plus!
It is the same for my books and records (yes, I have some hundreds of old vinyls).
Member
Have this hanging on my shop door.
IMG_0715.jpg
"Remember back in the day, when things were made by hand, and people took pride in their work?"
- Rick Dale
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