New Computer Desk

[Retired]

Hi,

I'm pleased this thread has opened up into a good discussion and generated some interest which after all is what a good forum is about.

Thank you John for your kind words and yes; every time I sit at or see this new desk it gives me such a buzz to think that I could actually make something like it. It's cost a bit of money and a lot of time but the transformation in our hall with the new decorations/ carpet and desk make it all worthwhile and it's a lovely place to be in. The red walls and carpet together with the desk colouring give the hall a very warm feel lifting the spirit. As you rightly say John woodwork is a generic term covering many branches all requiring specific skills and disciplines. Knocking a six inch nail in is a lot different to fine veneering but all are classed as woodwork. I'd love a spacious well lit and warm workshop to play around in because I know deep down I can achieve much better results than I already do but until then I'll still carry on and do my best making the most of what I have.

It's a pity you don't live nearer Joe or you would be welcome to all my offcuts but you would have to be doing jobs in miniature as I throw little useful timber out; I have a decent pile of wood offcuts but they are really only fit for a wood burner; I rang a guy last Sunday leaving him a message saying I had more firewood for his wood burner but to date he hasn't been in touch so I assume him to be away on holiday. I'll wait until next week and if they are still here I'll run them to the tip because they quickly become covered in slugs and look unsightly. Of course you are correct Joe in that anyone having one skill can more likely pick up other skills easier but what about people without skills or even basic training in anything. It is much more difficult for such people to try something new especially of a technical nature but many actually do. Unfortunately there is a new generation where their role models are parents bombed out of their minds under the influence of drink or drugs living in squalor. These kids upon leaving school assuming they actually attend school will find it extremely difficult to cope with life in general and from their background will be unlikely to secure a decent job ending up in low paid unskilled world with no prospects. Some do actually rise above this and it would be interesting to find out the statistics but I think very few will achieve much out of life and many will simply follow their parents example.

Thanks Tony; without the correct positive attitude nothing of value will be achieved whatever the background of the individual. Whatever the task or job if the desire to do it well is not present coupled with a negative attitude why bother doing it at all. I apply myself fully to all my tasks and this includes sweeping and tidying up.

I have been giving a great deal of thought to Gary's posts and his comments which have struck home a great deal with me. Gary has stopped me in my tracks and caused me to have a good look at myself and what I do. All my life I've been in my own little world rather like living on an island. As a child I played out with chums and we were all very much alike; later we all attended the same schools so once again we were all roughly the same. Right up to leaving school we were all taught the same lessons and taught the same morale standards to live by.

After leaving school things changed slightly as I then began meeting my own age group from different back grounds and from different schools so noticed new ways of doing things and new ways of thinking. From playing around with cycles I progressed money allowing onto motorcycles and now had other chums but on the whole we were all very much of the same mind; having similar interests and coming from similar backgrounds.

I've never considered myself special or any different from anyone else even up until now. Always considered everyone to be more or less equal in their outlook on life and life skills. We all had different jobs in order to earn money but even so we all seemed to be going in the same direction.

Gary's comments really struck home. Given the many projects I tackle way outside my basic training I must be different in some way and never even noticed or considered it. I should hate to come across as big headed or a know it all talking down to people as if they are slaves. I detest such people but what I do try to do is to share my new found experiences in the hope they will encourage others to try similar projects; after all it was Gary who inspired me to tackle radio cabinet restoration. I've never even considered I possess any special skills just being like the next guy who could turn his/her hand to anything. I've always thought of me as me if that makes sense but I'm on the inside looking out and perhaps Gary and others see me differently?

I still firmly believe what I do others could do if thy tried; I didn't look at Gary's superb radio restoration in the Bulletin for the first time and say no way could I ever do such wonderful work. I was inspired by it and started off small experimenting as I went along. Believe me I made many mistakes but I never ever failed. Yes I made a right mess of things at first and where others would consider me to have failed I looked upon it differently thinking I've messed up doing it that way so I'll start again but try a different way. To mess up or even ruin something if done without malice or anger can always be corrected with a desire to do so. I don't wish to preach but I do wish to put the point across to any novice that the hardest part of doing anything is to actually make a start.

I hadn't a clue about the workings of a radio and even less of a clue regarding electronics when I first started playing with valve radios a couple of years after retirement. I remember vividly the GEC Bakelite radio where I spent a full three months trying to get the chassis to work; I had messed up the tuning coil connections and could only read the circuit diagram as I would a blueprint. It took a long time before I realized that not only were the coil connections messed up but many other faults were present in the set such as it wanting re-capping (What's a capacitor?). I didn't recognize many of the components but I could make out which were the valves. Many of the smaller caps looked like resistors to me and to make matters worse I'm hopelessly colour blind. I didn't understand how to use a DMM. I started to visit Bardwell's in Sheffield to purchase components and admit I didn't know what to expect going into such a store who's staff had a lifetimes knowledge of electronic components so would I end up red faced being embarrassed due to my ignorance of the subject in front of a store full of customers. Not a bit of it; I took along a wish list and simply handed it over; having done this a number of times I quickly became familiar with the new surroundings and started to talk to the staff who never ever made me feel small.

I would say to a novice wishing to try anything new for the first time please go for it and eventually you will succeed. I still know little of the workings of a radio and have even bought Tony's excellent tutorial book but as yet have not had the time to read it. I know even less of TV but it didn't stop me fully restoring a total wreck including the chassis. I've never considered myself an expert in anything and still don't as the more I learn the more there is to learn. Over the years I've made many friends through forums and the BVWS. What still truly amazes me is how well I've been accepted into this alien world of electronics by everyone; I've received masses of praise and encouragement together with huge amounts of help; perhaps my threads are sufficiently different from a radio restoration to gain attention after all I still know little of the mysteries of electronics.

It came as a surprise to me when I noticed how few people with successful electronics background would actually tackle a woody cabinet restoration. Look on any forum or in the Bulletin and it is usually only a small group who do such work whilst the majority remain with electronics.

I've not found anything to be easy in this hobby in fact had it been easy I would have done something else. Having worked so hard to gain my knowledge and experience I enjoy passing this on as I now what I do works for me and hopefully will save others from making the many mistakes I make. I'm no great shakes at writing and even though I can spell I always run the spelling and grammar check before posting. Given my lack of understanding of electronics how the heck have I managed to submit and have printed over ten articles in such a prestigious electronics publication as The Bulletin? The answer to me is simple and that is I'm not scared to tackle something new and I'm even less scared of looking a fool.

I've now got lots of hand tools; power tools and big machinery but I haven't always had these and a novice can do some top quality work with a small but good tool kit. I know Gary hasn't a huge well equipped workshop but just look at his work and this also applies to a number of my friends some on this forum. Start off on a small project but don't keep your sights small; have top class work as your aim and work towards it. I can always improve what I do but at least I'm doing it.

I wonder if the rain has stopped yet because I wanted to do some work in the garage this morning but woke up to another wet and miserable day hence I'm playing on the computer.

It's an irrational world we now live in Lawrence.

Thanks Gary for giving me a different insight into myself perhaps I am different?

Kind regards, Col.