Exceptional characters

The discussion of precision vices reminded me of a chap I used to know when i was into RC model flying. He had been a toolmaker and various other occupations since and when i knew him he was a plumber. He only did plumbing 3 days a week because to fit a central heating system in the average 3-bed had to take him and his associate just the one day. He admitted to being OCD. Indeed he also admitted that he had to clean his flat regularly and always used cotton buds in the corners of skirtings to really get them clean. He couldn't bring himsef to ever use the cooker because it would get dirty and he always ate out.

His model aircraft were naturally impeccable. He might make several z-bend linkages before happy to use one of them and never ever risked rebending anything.

He told me the story of the time he decided to hand make a clock. He wouldn't file more than 2 teeth per evening in case muscle fatigue affected his accuracy. You can image how long it took him to make the thing. Once assembled it only ran for a few moments and he was mortified at his failure and hid it away. Some years later he spotted a new clock repair shop start up locally and thought he had got over things enough to at least find out where his devastating mistake had been.

The clockmaker examined the thing closely applied one small drop of oil and it's kept perfect time since.

pgk

My exceptional character was a good friend, he was a farm worker who moved to Suffolk from the North Midlands with no skills to assemble tractors for a dealership in the fifties, he then built his own Bungalow from the floor up, everything bar the electrics, he applied for a job in the building trade and was asked what his skills were so he took his interviewer to his bungalow and got the job based on it.

He got me into restoring stationary engines, he bought a Colchester Student and taught himself how to use it by making parts for his engines and magneto's, there was nothing he wouldn't try. He had one little trick that he caught out with a few times, he would take hold of a plug on a running tractor and call me over and when I got close would grab my hand, I would jump up and down and he wouldn't bat an eye lid. He has been dead at least ten years and I still think of him whilst working on my engines.

Martin P

Regarding your friend cleaning his flat so well,I too am very fussy,I clean up my house when it becomes difficult to get from one room to another.

Life is too short to get hung up on things like that.

People like that have a problem.

I too remember 2 people that were important to my life's training........

the first guy was a trained blacksmith, when I started my apprenticeship he was over 70.......we used to fit out Fire Engines, the council used to buy a basic model in and we'd fit out everything........anyway what he did with metal was amazing, no fancy machines or benders.everything was done in a beaten up old vice or on the anvil.......best part, he hardley ever measured anything....!!!!

second guy used to restore antique machines and motorcycles, amazing skill's on lathes etc....skill's list to long to mention...

I often think of them.......

when I move I hope tofind and train a young'un for the few years I have left......would like to pass on what I've learned.........

as for clenliness, everything in my workshop is on wheels or moved with a pallet truck......before the rains start will treat myself to a full w/shop strip out and a good sweep.......plus, find what I didn't know I lost.......hahaha...