Apparently a bargain buy …

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

This C&G textbook, in near-new condition, was in a local Charity Shop priced at £2

Site Carpentry and Bench Joinery  …. Level 3

I bought it on the basis that there must surely be something useful and/or interesting within its very clearly illustrated 426 pages.

The chap on the till said “Oh, I wondered if we would ever sell that “

I went away happy, and have just seen what it typically costs !!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/City-Guilds-Textbook-Diploma-Carpentry/dp/0851933041

… Not quite sure what this says about the world we live in.

Give it some thought whilst you’re waiting for the next forum-page to load.

MichaelG.

 

[DiogenesParticipant @diogenes]

..don’t.. ..please..

[Bo’sunParticipant @bosun58570]

Probably not unusual.  I had a similar surprise with Amazon when looking for the T. E. Haynes “Hot Air Engine book 2”.  Around £90 if I recall a few years ago.  Wishful thinking by the sellers I suspect, and not a true reflection of value.

My partner eventually managed to find a downloadable copy from the internet for free.  She’s a star.

[JohnFParticipant @johnf59703]

Defiantly a bargain Michael !  I agree with your sentiment about the world and the throw away mindset of many people but there are fortunately many practical people with a can do mindset – just needs nurturing and it appears that at last there is a move in this direction with an emphasis on apprenticeships again — just hope its not too late !

John

[Mike HurleyParticipant @mikehurley60381]

Just finished watching ‘Handmade: Britains next best woodworker’.

Don’t quite know how to sum it up really – interesting, but was surprised at the general lack of basic skills quite often. Often the designs of their pieces were clever and inspired in some cases, but when looking at many of their ideas I could often see issues before they started, whereas any reasonable woodworker would know such limitations straight away. Joints cut too close to edges, lack of thought about grain direction and strength, incorrect mesurements (something I NEVER do of course!) etc etc.

In the final last night the young lady – who has struggled through by the skin of her teeth – said, on having some problems “I’ve never used a router before” !!!!

OK, they were under time pressure,  but I do wonder if these are really the best this country can come up with. Of course this is probably just a symptom of the lack of practical guidance these days in school and the demise of apprenticeships.

 

Mike

Regards

[Bo’sunParticipant @bosun58570]

Echoing Mikes comments,

Certainly not Britain’s “Best Woodworkers” by any means.  Don’t know where they got them from.

Material planed and prepared ready for them.  No tool sharpening (at least none shown).  Helpers on hand (fine for the guy with one useful arm, but the rest?).  No machine tool preparation or adjustment (at least none shown).  Could they do it?

Some degree of skill is certainly shown by some of them, but overall something of a farce being called “Britain’s Best Woodworker”.

And as for the presenters of these skills shows.  Where do we get them from these days?  “Pottery throw down”, “All that Glitters”, “The Great British Sewing Bee”, etc, to name but a few.  The content is somewhat entertaining, but poorly presented.

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