Shop Truths, Phrases, Tales; and Outright Lies

[Frank S]

Thanks for this, Frank. I have never tried marquetry, but my friend Norman was very skilled in laying veneers. He has a bookcase bureau veneered in rosewood. Your grandfather was clearly equally as gifted. The description of processing a shaving is especially interesting.

Philip you have to remember that was the observations by an 8 year old kid and 60 years ago, somethings stick with you throughout your life but the finer details may not. Since I have never personally tried to duplicate the things I saw him doing I couldn't be certain I have remembered everything in context and probably have not. Sometimes I would watch him for nearly an hour before he would even notice me being there, particularly if I could wedge myself into a good hiding spot.

[Frank S]

I had a recent similar experience with a company I have been doing business with for several years now. Always purchased their product online by merely filling out the request order sheet scrolled down to pay now then clicked on my pay option. Never had any problem always got the items I had ordered, that is until very recently. A while back I needed to reorder some things, went through the procedures as I had always done, but no pricing had shown up throughout the form. Instead, the extended line always showed PQR, OH great, I'm thinking now not only did their special-order products require a price quotation request but their standard line items do as well I thought. I called the antiquated 1-800 number listened to the automated voice drone on and on until finally getting to the sequence of numbers for me to contact a salesman sorry salesperson. get voice mail box. back to the nice sounding automated voice listen once again, try another number sequence, same thing once again. I do these 4 or 5 times because I really need to place my order. Finally in desperation I decide to try another route asked for employment opportunities low and behold I get a human on the line. I ask her not to put me on hold or transfer me but tell me if there are any salesp0erssons available with whom I can place an order. She seems aghast, "OH MY GOD SIR" yes from my desk I can see at least 3 who are just sitting at their desks not on their phones. our stupid new call routing system automatically routes sales inquiries to whomever it wants it seems, but it is supposed to automatically route to the next available person whose line is free. If you would like I can buzz one of them to pick up and take your order but before I do write down my extension if you ever have a problem again just punch in my number and I will be more than glad to connect you. I thanked her and told her she was most helpful. To this she replied ever sense the 2020 election their prices have been inn such a daily flux they had to lock down their online ordering system and it was costing them dearly they try to give their customers the best possible price for their purchases, but it is proving to be more of a headache than anyone could imagine. She also gave me 4 salespersons extension numbers to keep for my future use. Since them I have made a few more orders and have not had any problems al be it I still have to do my ordering during their business hours instead of at my leisure which was usually at night.

[Toolmaker51]

Veering off into a snowdrift, or herd of snowflakes, IDK.

[Philip Davies]

Veering off into a snowdrift, or herd of snowflakes, IDK.

If, by “snowflakes” you refer to those of a sensitive disposition, (like me), you could call them a herd. But there is no real collective noun for snow flakes (putting on my mortar board), just “snow”. I’ve seen “flurry” used, though.
Words are my stock in trade, I used to tell students, when they complained about difficult words. But I always tried to signify their meaning with synonyms.
Yesterday, I tried to do internet banking. It would not let me. I phoned them. They said they will post me a leaflet! I said it would be easier to write to head office. The youth found a way to do it, he alleged. He would put me through to another team. Ten minutes’ silence ensued. I wrote a letter to head office. It took 10 minutes. The call lasted 37 minutes.

[Toolmaker51]

If, by “snowflakes” you refer to those of a sensitive disposition, (like me), you could call them a herd. But there is no real collective noun for snow flakes (putting on my mortar board), just “snow”. I’ve seen “flurry” used, though.

By no means Phillip. This meme expounded on the millennial anti-theft device, a manual transmission. The real "snowflakes" are nearly our fault collectively, for not exposing them to mechanical crafts, handwork, that hands-on engineering mindset.
If I were to profile one such as yourself, it would not be "snowflake"; there nothing but good associations with kind-thoughtful-generous-helpful-considerate people, and looking in the right places, are in short supply.

That's far different from who can't generate torque on a screwdriver or hold up their end moving a dining table through a doorway. Frank S liked my branding of "those pink-fingered" twiddlers.

[MeJasonT]

Umm degenerate, i like that word, i use it every day all be it the German word Kuntz as in degenerate artists that were hated by Mr A Hitler esq. The other is Retard, as in to go backwards or slow down. The annoying woke brigade attempting to change our language is going to realise that insults wont stop just because you change language. Bunch of birth givers (technically would mean calling them a bunch of paternal women). Alleged common people using slang and abbreviated words to describe a person or an event does not mean we are ignorant or stupid, they will certainly find out the hard way that we are in fact educated. If i must resort to Philosophy or Latin to exert my annoyance at someone so be it. nil sine labore, poor little chicken chokers. Oh and the best thing is that FB's Al Gore Rhythm cant keep up.

[Toolmaker51]

Instruments and tool-wise, I buy American, Continental, Japanese, and former USSR from a guy in Bulgaria. Some folks are incensed by other imported goods, I'm one. Because we appreciate quality. So what happens when that passion breaks down? Part of this stems from lackadaisical American ownership/ management of appreciated brands, unwilling to provide a reasonable degree of customer interaction.
Or maybe my expectations are too high?


I found a great deal on a tapping stand, missing all the tap bushings. Sure, could DIY those, but that is a lot of square broaching and odd-size reaming. On April 28th found their website via brand name. It's very brief, barely descriptive, and no part lists. I called and messaged the inbox.
No reply.
By May 13th, table still available, emailed instead.
August 8th, inbound email had non-priced part lists, with inconspicuous reference to the bushings, which have to be among sought after replacements, no?
To not promote the subject company, what follows are copy/ paste of emails, redacted of any identifying references.

May 13: I sent,
Good Afternoon;
After examining website, cannot find a parts list for Model XX-x. I'm looking for replacement tap holders, possibly die holders as well.
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August 8th, I receive 3 pdf's, without any kind of "Thank You for inquiring..." or justification, wife was sick, on vacation, dog ate my email....... nothing.

I asked,
May 13, 2022!
Almost 3 months?

Just how small is a company, marketing across a few online vendors, commissions or conducts their own castings - Blanchard grinding - fabrication of table frames - utilize commercial components - painting said products; without minding at least two incoming customer requests for information?
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August 9th, the reply, still without any solicitation or signature;
I guess we aren’t worth doing business with then.
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(must be wonderful rolling in dough, insolent at the same time. No biggie, what's a few $100 bucks and a bit of promotional exposure worth?)

so I replied,
Not when parts missing from an otherwise good deal was in May.
Your lack of concern isn't much of an endorsement either.

(I don't expect a reply.)

This like I'm throwing a plate at a waitress for slightly raw hash browns, or buttered toast after ordering dry?

[Toolmaker51]

Really, who of us hasn't?

I guess those without phone service, maybe.....