I refer to these habits as 'idiot syscrasies', and I have my fair
share, and maybe more.
robo hippy

Arch wrote:
A decorator with a big budget and average or above intelligence and
education, not a collector and with no knowledge of woodturning or
woodturners looks at two turned wooden pieces. They were made by
different turners, but "appeared' to be almost identical. What makes her
willing to pay $500 for one and unwilling to pay $50 for the other?
Would she ever pay $5000 without knowing something about turning and
turner's? Sure. She's spending someone else's money, but suppose she's
buying for herself?

Many of us have two almost identical gouges or skews. At least they
started out that way. Now the handle of one is dinged and splotched with
glue and stained with lacquer. It's in constant use and the shaft is
short from many sharpenings while the other is in almost new condition.
What is it about our favorite tools that is different from their almost
identical brothers? Even if they are not the same, why do we
consistently pick up these old friends while a 'better' and more
expensive one lies unused? Probably habit?

One turner's shop is cluttered almost
beyond recognition, nothing is in any discernible order and his table
saw has become a table. In the dim light his lathe is seen spattered
with glue and paint, the bed is covered with things of the trade and a
layer of chips and dust covers all. He seems to like it that way.
Another turner's shop is pristine. Everything has its place and stays in
it. The floor shines and the lathe gleams in the bright light. Equally
good work is done in both shops. Go figure or don't go figure, who
cares.

Both are hobby turner's yet the one who is comfortably well off has much
older and less expensive tools in his garage shop. The other buys top of
the line tools and accessories from every paycheck to paycheck. He uses
them in his well designed and roomy separate shop building. Both are
competent turners and generous in sharing their knowledge and turned
gifts. Genes, environment, what? Who knows what determines a turner's
personality? For that matter why did you become a turner while your
brothers and sisters didn't? Of course. You don't play golf and all
your sibs do.

I know, we are all different and that's why the world goes round, but it
is interesting to muse about things that are of no consequence and plain
for everybody else here to see.


Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter


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