Hi Roger,

Sorry that article wound you up. Storage and care of tools is a legitimate subject, and though it isn't to everyone's taste, there are other readers who find it useful. I think we've had about two articles on the subject in the last six months, so that's between 1 and 2% of the content.

If I'm going to put in the range and variety of articles that appeal to all readers, then from time to time, there will be articles some readers don't like. My aim is to make sure every reader finds something they really enjoy in each issue, and to cover a good spread of topics, and I have to accept that from time to time someone won't like a particular topic.

So… my advice is to subscribe and make sure you enjoy the full range of topics in MEW

Neil

I have bought the mag from day 1 and have virtually every copy and I agree with Roger. What was wrong with a tupperware box or even a takeaway meal tub? No offence to the author who I'm sure enjoyed the project and writing about it but I wonder seriously how many people are going to build their own small wooden box or need instruction on how to build a small wooden box. This article could have/should have been a page at most. I'm ready and willing to write an article about painting and decorating a workshop if the remit is that wide. I think you're being unduly harsh on someone with a valid opinion who probably now feels bullied away.

Chris,

If you read my reply again I didn't comment on the article, only made remarks that it's a valid subject and will be of some use to some people.

Why not use a tupperware container ? Many reasons, won't fit in a drawer ? Stuff gets mixed up in there ? Etc

I have roughly the same problem at the moment. In my repair work I use a lot of special threads, many are screw cut but I like to have taps and dies to clean up or use where I can't swing a 17 tonne casting [ I know I need a bigger lathe – sigh ]

A lot are fine threads, 1mm pitch being very common and all my special taps are in a drawer that used to be a plans drawers, and are all mixed up.

I seem to spend hours looking for these and a couple of weeks ago I decided to make a set up of just 1.00mm pitch taps and dies from 6mm up to 24mm. So I literally spent two + hours sorting out what I had, making a list up and then ordering the ones missing from a full set.

Once all these come thru I will then make a special tap and die box to hold these.

Anal ? OTT? Personally I don't think so as by now i must have lost more in time than this full set will cost to put together.

Edited By John Stevenson on 18/11/2014 10:37:43

My twopenneth,

I'm a mechanical engineer who could not work wood if my life depended on it, for a start it catches fire when trying to weld it, I may not be immediately interested in making a wooden tool box but the techniques used to produce the item allow me to learn for the future, dont tell SWMBO I might might know a little about working wood otherwise she will add to her list of targets sorry jobs keep the 1-2% coming.

Martin P

Edited By martin perman on 18/11/2014 11:43:42

I did once drill some holes in a shelf to hold drill chucks etc. Come to think of it I put the shelf up. I don't have the patience for woodwork but admire those that do.

On occasion I also buy the odd copy from the local newsagent, and prior to parting with the necessary beer tokens, have a quick look through to see whats inside.

Sometimes, there is nothing of interest, sometimes quite the opposite which ensures the release of aforementioned beer tokens.

Can't remember how many CD's / LP's etc bought over the years because I liked the 'hit' in the charts and only liked one or two tracks.

C'est la vie

I'm gobsmacked by the ire created by this short article.

I think there are two issues here:

1 – woodwork has no place in the magazine.

I'm afraid I disagree with this, it's a minority topic but it has it's place. A short article every few months adds to the variety, as long as it is about a workshop application and not just 'woodworking'.

2 – the item in the article was crude

Perhaps, but by definition it's a storage box not a Chippendale chair. I thought it was a useful source of ideas for those who haven't tried making a custom fitted box before.

Harold Hall has offered me an article on making a routing table. Perhaps I should reflect on whether this would be welcome in MEW?

Sorry to John Coates, I think your post has been nuked forver by the thumb-fingered Earl of Bligeport.

Neil

I've noticed before that there seems to be a growing assumption that, if a reader finds one article in the magazine that appeals to him/her, that justifies buying the magazine. Do people really feel this way?

Certainly, if I pick up a magazine (any magazine) on the book-stand, unless there is an article that is seriously a "must-have", I want two or three articles at least that appeal if I'm to purchase it.

Bring on the router table, that would interest me.

Martin P

Neil, There are many uses for wood in engineering: Pattern making. I have to admire the skill that has gone into some of the patterns I've seen. I have made wooden spoked wheels and used single-use hardwood fixtures to good effect on my models. Nicely made wooden boxes were used to keep precision measuring items in. So much space devoted to a wooden box may have been better used for a toolmaker's chest but not many of us engineers are good enough at woodwork: I can't make a tenon saw cut accurately but I can get within 10 thou with a hacksaw!

See my photo's for my use of wood in engineering. Colin