PC Pals Forum
General Discussion => Hobbies & Crafts => Topic started by: GillE on November 14, 2009, 18:03
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I took Maurice shopping today in the new Axminster branch which has just opened in Nuneaton. Santa's getting me one of these (http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-Jet-JML-1014-Mini-Wood-Lathe-362338.htm) for Christmas :woot: :thumbs:.
It was funny. We found an assistant who is an experienced wood turner so I could quiz him about their products. Every time I asked him a question, he directed his answer to Maurice! It was as if he couldn't believe it was me who was interested in woodwork :laugh: .
As a matter of interest, Maurice already has a lathe of his own. It's massive and in a very cold out house which is why I want one of my own to put in my cosy but cramped workshop.
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I've always been fascinated to watch wood turning, seeing an object emerge from a block is almost alchemy, and people make it look so simple, when I'm sure it's not.
How do you sharpen your tools, Gill?
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I know you love your woodwork, Gill, and that looks a great Christmas present! :thumb:
I agree with Rik, it's wonderful seeing things take shape before your eyes. I've never had any talents like that, and can't even hammer a nail in straight. :(
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I can't even cut in a straight line. Manual dexterity is not my strong point, but I love watching craftspeople at work.
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How do you sharpen your tools, Gill?
We've got a Tormek (http://www.tormek.com/en/) grinding wheel. I use it a lot to sharpen chisels (and kitchen knives :) ) but it's great for sharpening gouges too.
If I've got a lot of metal to remove from a tool, as with cheap chisels or hand planes, I like to remove the bulk of it using the 'scary sharp' method which is little more than grinding the surface over progressively finer grades of wet-and-dry paper.
Incidentally, I can't saw in a straight line either - that's why I love my scroll saw and why I think I'll love my lathe. No straight lines!
Spaniel Portrait (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/GillD/SpanielComp2.jpg)
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Incidentally, again, just to mention, you can post Attachments in here, Gill, by using the Reply button, and hitting Additional Options.
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Okay, Simon - I'll do that in future. Actually, that image is hosted online so perhaps I'll amend my post to just have a link.
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Do you need steady hands though, Gill. I always find I seem to round the edge, rather than grind a cutting angle. :(
Like the dog, it makes me want to take up screen printing again.
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Okay, Simon - I'll do that in future. Actually, that image is hosted online so perhaps I'll amend my post to just have a link.
Oh, it's not a problem either way, Gill, I just thought I'd mention it, because some people find attachments easier. :)
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I know a couple of people who have lathes and other woodworking tools but I don't think they have ever used them! My brother-in-law has two lathes complete with lots of accessories and he has never made a thing with them. He mentions them quite often though. :dunno:
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Do you need steady hands though, Gill. I always find I seem to round the edge, rather than grind a cutting angle. :(
We're talking about sharpening tools? There have been whole books written on sharpening because so many people find it difficult. Yet it can be quite simple. The key is to start off with decent quality tools which will hold an edge. The stuff you buy from the DIY sheds are often made from inferior grade materials - it's far better to shop somewhere like Axminster Power Tools, Isaac Lord or Brimarc and look for reputable brands such as Lie Nielsen, Veritas, Trend and so on. Some people question the value of a hand plane which costs £200 when they can buy one from a DIY shed for £12. Yet our forefathers expected to have to pay the equivalent of a week's wages to buy a hand plane, and many of those old planes still work beautifully whereas the modern cheapos often get chucked away after only a couple of attempts.
Grinders like the Tormek are great if you do a lot of woodwork and can justify the expense. The Tormek has a variety of jigs which you can buy to make sure that you maintain the correct angle and can sharpen gouges without turning over edges. It uses a water-cooled sharpening stone at a very low speed so the user has a lot of control over the process and there is practically no danger of over-heating the item being sharpened.
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Like the dog, it makes me want to take up screen printing again.
I don't get the canine reference, but I had a bash at silk screen printing once. It must have been almost twenty five years ago and I loved it! I just wonder if people appreciate the skill involved nowadays. For most people, it would be easier now to print a design off their computer and iron it onto a tee shirt.
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Rik just meant he liked the spaniel portrait, Gill. :)
I have tried those iron on transfers, but the trouble is, they iron off again too! :blush:
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We're talking about sharpening tools? There have been whole books written on sharpening because so many people find it difficult. Yet it can be quite simple. The key is to start off with decent quality tools which will hold an edge. The stuff you buy from the DIY sheds are often made from inferior grade materials - it's far better to shop somewhere like Axminster Power Tools, Isaac Lord or Brimarc and look for reputable brands such as Lie Nielsen, Veritas, Trend and so on. Some people question the value of a hand plane which costs £200 when they can buy one from a DIY shed for £12. Yet our forefathers expected to have to pay the equivalent of a week's wages to buy a hand plane, and many of those old planes still work beautifully whereas the modern cheapos often get chucked away after only a couple of attempts.
Grinders like the Tormek are great if you do a lot of woodwork and can justify the expense. The Tormek has a variety of jigs which you can buy to make sure that you maintain the correct angle and can sharpen gouges without turning over edges. It uses a water-cooled sharpening stone at a very low speed so the user has a lot of control over the process and there is practically no danger of over-heating the item being sharpened.
I'm a great believer in buying the best tools you can afford, they really make a difference. Same in the kitchen, we recently replaced the pans with Le Creuset tri-ply and the knives with Global. The latter are a joy to use, they cut so well. I'd also recommend Donald Russell's stake knives and carving set - their blades take a wonderful edge.
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I don't get the canine reference, but I had a bash at silk screen printing once. It must have been almost twenty five years ago and I loved it! I just wonder if people appreciate the skill involved nowadays. For most people, it would be easier now to print a design off their computer and iron it onto a tee shirt.
The design of the spaniel cut out just made me think of a stencil.
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I'd also recommend Donald Russell's stake knives and carving set - their blades take a wonderful edge.
I have the steak knives, and would also recommend them. They are also good for carving the smaller joints. ;)
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Those Global knives look vicious! I have to admit, I'm very cautious of sharp knives, having nearly sliced off half a finger as a child, while cutting an orange. That sort of thing stays with you! :bawl:
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A sharp tool is much safer than a blunt one, trust me. The Global knives go through food effortlessly, and in the direction you want. The blunt knives are the ones that ship and catch you.
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Yeah, but if they're blunt, they don't cut you! ;D
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ship=slip and I'm not even using a phone. :blush:
A really blunt knife might not cut you, but the average kitchen knife is semi-blunt. I steel ours daily, and re-grind them every few months.
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I prefer low-maintenance. :)
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Bring them round, I love getting a good edge on a knife. :)
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I don't really think my Kitchen Devils are worth the effort. :)
I would actually quite like one of those knife sets in the blocks, but I have to keep them in a drawer, for safety.
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I can understand that. Blocks are over-rated, imo, even though we have one because it came with the Globals. Personally, I prefer a slotted knife drawer. If you ever want to go for Global, Costco often have good deals on sets of six or so.
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I don't have a Costco near me.
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Shame. Well, if you ever want to pop up...
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Of course! One day. :)
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The food's not bad either. ;D
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So I've heard. Once or twice. ;) ;D
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I must be slipping. ;D
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DR Rump Mini Roast for me today. :)
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We're trying the low-salt meat loaf. :)
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Ah, you should enjoy that. :thumb:
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We've got Xmas being delivered on December 16, so we can add some more to the order if we like it. I'm still tempted by the ox cheek in port and balsamic vinegar...
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I've had a Kitchen Devil 8" knife for more than a decade. After the first couple of years it began to cut poorly, no matter how I sharpened it. Then I introduced it to my Tormek and now it cuts as well as my Sabatiers :) .
The Sabatiers are getting worn now and will soon need replacing. I'll probably go for Global next, or Victorinox.
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We've got Xmas being delivered on December 16, so we can add some more to the order if we like it. I'm still tempted by the ox cheek in port and balsamic vinegar...
I have an order booked for Dec 12th, but will probably add to it. I didn't want to leave it till the last minute, in case they went out of stock of some items, especially as I've ordered some of the Butcher's Specials, which are as of now.
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I've had a Kitchen Devil 8" knife for more than a decade. After the first couple of years it began to cut poorly, no matter how I sharpened it. Then I introduced it to my Tormek and now it cuts as well as my Sabatiers :) .
The Sabatiers are getting worn now and will soon need replacing. I'll probably go for Global next, or Victorinox.
I've always liked Sabatiers, for some reason. I think I'd go for those, if I was going to buy a set.
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I think Global have a better reputation nowadays. Sabatier used to be the best but they were made by a family firm which had a bust up and went two separate ways. Both now produce Sabatier knives but neither produce the sort of quality they once did.
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That seems to happen such a lot, doesn't it? Shame.
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The Sabatiers are getting worn now and will soon need replacing. I'll probably go for Global next, or Victorinox.
I'd certainly recommend Global, Gill, cheap they ain't, but they are superb tools. If you're ever near here (Milton Keynes), feel free to drop in and try them yourself.
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I have an order booked for Dec 12th, but will probably add to it. I didn't want to leave it till the last minute, in case they went out of stock of some items, especially as I've ordered some of the Butcher's Specials, which are as of now.
Same here, we 'laid down' the essentials now, then we'll look at freezer space a week or so before and see what we can add.
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A good site for Global is:
http://www.kitchenknivesdirect.co.uk/acatalog/catalogbody.html
you can spend a fortune there though.
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If you're ever near here (Milton Keynes), feel free to drop in and try them yourself.
One day, all of these people you've invited round, will arrive all at once! ;D
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We can cope with about 20, after that, it needs to be summer. :)
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A good site for Global is:
http://www.kitchenknivesdirect.co.uk/acatalog/catalogbody.html
you can spend a fortune there though.
I wonder if they do any age checks before selling?
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In theory... it's a good company to deal with, though, excellent service.
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TNT attempted to deliver my new lathe this morning - at 8.30. Being something of a creature of the night, it took ages for the dogs' cacophony to seep into my unconsciousness. By the time I got to the door the couriers had gone. Blast!
When will these people understand that not everyone has the same sleeping pattern? As far as I'm concerned, unless an event occurs after 10am, it doesn't happen at all.
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We sleep on a hair trigger as we get deliveries as early as 7:30. :)
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Don't start me on couriers. I'm still waiting for something from Amazon, sent last Wednesday.
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Who by?
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HDNL.
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We just got an order from Sunday... You'll have to move to MK. ;)
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I've heard there's some dodgy characters there. :D
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I can't think why, we're all dodgy. ;D
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:lol2:
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Nothing more annoying than that Gill. I swear they do it on purpose!
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I rang the couriers and they agreed to make a second delivery later today. I told them that would be fine, so long as they didn't deliver between 4pm and 5pm because nobody would be in. When I got home at 5pm I found a note stuffed in the letterbox saying they had tried to deliver at 4.47pm >:( .
I have a woodworking friend who lives on the opposite side of the country and I haven't seen him for about five years, although we correspond regularly on the internet. He is going to be in the neighbourhood of Axminster (Nuneaton) tomorrow and suggested we meet there for lunch. Now I won't be able to make it because I shall be stuck at home waiting for a delivery from... Axminster (Nuneaton).
>:( >:( >:(
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Those companies are all operated by sadists who enjoy causing maximum mayhem for their customers. I've lost count of the number of times I've received "could not deliver" notes through my letterbox when they have made no attempt to knock on the door. Perhaps they are safeguarding their jobs by having to call back several times!
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The only ones I trust are Parcel Force, and that's because it's usually the same guy, and he knows where to leave stuff. If something has to be signed for, and I'm not in, it's taken to the local depot in the town, where it is easy for me to collect. All the others mean a 30 mile round trip to collect packages, which rather defeats the object of paying to have them delivered.
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The TNT 'undelivery' card said. "Your parcel may be returned to the sender if we do not hear from you within three working days of the second attempted delivery". "Oh goody," thinks I, "That means I'll be able to walk the dogs and then ring TNT to arrange a third delivery".
I returned from walking the dogs to find a third undelivery card stuffed in the letter box!
So I phoned TNT and they have promised to deliver the lathe at the end of the round, whenever that may be.
Here I am, waiting...
waiting...
waiting...
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:aarrgh:
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What an incredible story! You must be incandescent with rage Gill!
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The most annoying thing I find is that these companies just get away with this sort of thing, and we are powerless to act. I also think they do it deliberately. >:(
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I'm wondering if they're using satellite reconnaissance to watch and see when I leave my house. Then they send someone round to slip an 'undelivery' note through the letter box. Perhaps TNT doesn't really have any delivery vehicles at all.
I wasn't paranoid two days ago. Now, I'm not so sure.
Still waiting...
waiting...
waiting...
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I sympathise, I hate waiting for carriers, particularly after about 15:00, when you know the chance of delivery is rapidly fading with the sun. :(
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This morning I made my third call to TNT. I sat in all day yesterday waiting for the lathe but it didn't turn up. There was no explanation from the call centre, merely an offer to re-schedule delivery for tomorrow. That happens to be Maurice's day off and I'm not going to waste it hanging around on a promise from TNT! They don't deliver at the weekend so now it looks as if delivery will be on Monday.
Grrrrr....
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This is intolerable, Gill. I'd be contacting a higher authority and demanding a weekend delivery.
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Me too. Email the CEO if you can track him down.
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My turn! ;D On Tuesday I ordered a Quad bike for my 16 month old grandson. No I had no idea you can buy Quad bikes for toddlers either but it will give him street cred at the park! Toys R Us e-mailed me to say it will be delivered next Monday between 8 am and 6 pm so I thought "better stay in on Monday". Today, I went out most of the day and returned to find a non delivery card from TNT pushed through the door! :rant: :rant: :rant: They now plan to deliver it tomorrow.
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Luckily, very little comes to me via TNT.
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They're not doing very well here, are they?
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My turn! ;D On Tuesday I ordered a Quad bike for my 16 month old grandson. No I had no idea you can buy Quad bikes for toddlers either but it will give him street cred at the park! Toys R Us e-mailed me to say it will be delivered next Monday between 8 am and 6 pm so I thought "better stay in on Monday". Today, I went out most of the day and returned to find a non delivery card from TNT pushed through the door! :rant: :rant: :rant: They now plan to deliver it tomorrow.
Welcome to the club :( .
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Luckily, very little comes to me via TNT.
That's the problem.
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:lol:
Trouble is, just to run salt in the wound, so to speak, what does gets here on time. Milton Keynes is well served by couriers.
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I must admit the last 2 deliveries I've had from Citylink haven't been delivered until after 6:00pm.
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I suspect it's all the extra traffic they've picked up from the RM strikes, Ray.
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I must admit the last 2 deliveries I've had from Citylink haven't been delivered until after 6:00pm.
I've never liked citylink
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So many people say that, Sam, yet for me they are one of the best carriers around. I think it all depends on your local depot.
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true, they've never been that bad just a bit s**tty really - not on time and inflexible about redelivering. Still probably better than parcelforce.
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Parcelforce are good here too. :)
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Parcelforce are good here too. :)
its cause you grease them...
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I won't have a word said against Parcel Force! They delivered my new BlackBerry at 8 this morning, and I'm on it now! ;D
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Oh happy day! ;D
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I won't have a word said against Parcel Force! They delivered my new BlackBerry at 8 this morning, and I'm on it now! ;D
technology addict!
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I won't have a word said against Parcel Force! They delivered my new BlackBerry at 8 this morning, and I'm on it now! ;D
Poser! ;D
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It's only because I broke the last one! :blush:
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Simon has had his life support restored! ;D
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It is that! ;D
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It's only because I broke the last one! :blush:
If it makes you feel any better, I busted one of our DECT handsets this week, tried to pick it up but the fingers would not oblige and it went flying. Replacement arrives tomorrow.
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I have one with a cracked screen, but I can't be bothered to replace it, as it still works.
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This one keeps dying in the middle of calls. Very odd.
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Battery not holding charge?
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No, the battery level is fine, it just switches off in the middle of some calls.
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They don't make them like my old Motorola Rik. They were made to be passed down from generation to generation. 8-)
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Only if the next generation could carry them. :)x
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;D
Anyway, this a DECT phone which bears more than a passing resemblance to the Nokia 6310i.
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And, of course, it's no good having one odd one, of they are a twin or triple set. ;)
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1-4 were the options. Costco only had the four, which would be silly, so I went to Amazon for the two.
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TNT finally delivered this morning, only Axminster has sent a planer thicknesser instead of a lathe as ordered.
:aarrgh: :cry: :cry: :cry:
The saga continues...
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Ouch... :ack:
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If be starting to think it's not meant to happen! :(
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If = I'd. ::)
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What a complete bunch of plonkers Gill! You would think that in these times of difficult trading companies would take more care to keep their customers happy.
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And compensate them when things go wrong.
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The latest plan is for the lathe to be delivered on Wednesday and for TNT to take away the thicknesser at the same time.
I'll believe it when I see it.
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Thicknesser. It sounds like one of those beauty salon hair treatments. ;D
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Well, it is supposed to be a Christmas present, Gill. ;)
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:devil:
Looking for a chiselling, Simon? ;D
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It's supposed to be a present for this Christmas, not next Christmas.
Rik, let's put in foodie terms ;) . A thicknesser is like a combined pasta maker and mandolin. When you make pasta, you want the dough to be thin so the pasta machine squeezes it thinner. Of course, you can't squeeze wood thinner so a blade whirrs round as the wood is fed in and chips away excess wood. I've already got one of each of those ( a pasta maker, a mandolin and a thicknesser) but I've yet to get them muddled up :) .
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Great explanation! ;D
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I'd like to see the thicknesser after a load of pasta. ;D
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Might be slightly messy. :)x
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It's arrived!!!
(https://www.pc-pals.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv637%2FGillD%2FSmilies%2Fdancer.gif&hash=88b2419ea001471a7e2f31d058dbd96d2b1b5852)
But the courier hadn't been instructed to take the thicknesser away, so we've still got that (https://www.pc-pals.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv637%2FGillD%2FSmilies%2Ficon_banghead.gif&hash=46014419716eb9c1ace401c029cd6a79af36fae4) .
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:woot:
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Six months and it's yours, Gill.
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:congrats2: on your new arrival Gill. Let's hope you get to keep the first package too!
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Guess what? The same courier came back at the end of his round. He had found his instructions to collect the thicknesser.
Honestly, there's a phrase about organising events in breweries that springs to mind. It's all sorted now though :) . Roll on Christmas (https://www.pc-pals.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv637%2FGillD%2FSmilies%2Fxmas.gif&hash=ff7237e69b79738773f93941d5da74f4fbbf393b) .
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Six months and it's yours, Gill.
I believe it's six years, isn't it Rik? Unless you write to the company and tell them you will claim ownership unless they have removed it within 28 days.
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Unsolicited Goods Act 1952, I think, Gill. Provided you've notified them, if they fail to collect in six months, the goods become yours - or you can charge storage.
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I thought I'd let you know what the lathe looks like, so I've attached a piccy :) .
Ain't it gorgeous? :wub:
My hubby is going to lend me some of his gouges and has promised to teach me the basics of how to use it tomorrow.
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I don't think Mrs Clive would share your enthusiasm Gill. But perhaps you would not be impressed with her Viking sewing machine. Neither am I really, I still don't get my trousers shortened or buttons sewn on shirts! :laugh:
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I probably would be interested in her sewing machine, Clive. I'm fascinated by all sorts of creative work, including knitting, sewing and lace-making. Sadly, there are only 24 hours in a day and wood chippings tend to spoil fabric, so I stick to the craft I know best and enjoy.
Can you persuade Mrs Clive to show us some of her handiwork?
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If only Gill. She has the gift and means of creativity but just like my telescope, her sewing machine is all about posession. She began her career as a needlework teacher and she feels the need to own a sewing machine. Perhaps I should get her to teach me how to use it! ;D
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Glad you're pleased with your pressie, Gill! :santa:
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We expect to see some samples soon, Gill. :) It does look gorgeous, I love tools.
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The only tool I have to hand, is a hammer. ;D
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I collect them, on the basis that one day I will have just the job for them.