At the same time, we need to find a way to communicate, in terms which aren't demotivating, what the standards are, or ought to be, for restoration of a machine tool.
Tom -
I really think that is where Stephen, and others, are coming from - improving the communication and educating.
As a friend of mine used to say - 'Words are weapons, choose them carefully'. Now he was talking, literally, about the words that defined the application of weapons. But proper terminology is very important, no matter what it is we are discussing.
By trade I'm a mechanical engineer - who never actually worked much as one, in the classic sense. And I have rebuilt a few engines in my time - not blueprinted, but doing my best to meet the tolerances required as designed. A good enough carpenter my one friend who makes his living as one keeps telling me 'get a magnetic sign for your truck, you do better than a lot of them'. But when I've tackled big projects I hire him and become the assistant. As Clint Eastwood said - 'A man has to know his limitations'.
This site bills itself as for professionals - and it is amazing the wide ranges of professionals who will pipe up, in their particular area of expertise. But by just reading and learning one can learn a lot and chime in when having something to offer. Every profession has its terminology and definition. Even within industry different companies can have totally different definitions of the same word. In the world of printed wiring product (or multi layer interconnecting boards), for example, IBM had one definition for 'layer' and the rest of industry had another. But if you were going to work in those circles one had to know the difference to carry on an intelligent conversation. Same here.
I did not hear the work done by the OP criticized - more of informing what terms mean. I turn 66 tomorrow and I'm still learning, building on the experiences of those years. And I try to learn something new every day - here and other places. But often time out in the shop being it building a cabinet, piece of furniture, welding or trying to machine a part to fix some piece of equipment. I was trying to explain all that to my 7 year old grandson today when he commented 'you could buy a new one'. But after talking he agreed making something was more fun. I'm trying to instill in him a bit of problem solving, skills and appreciation for working with one's hands. Hopefully I last long enough and am successful at some level.
I'm a guy who sometimes paints and pretties up something, but usually not. Depends on the situation. Nothing against the painting, and I wish I could do it as well as some who have shown their work here. To me the mechanical part of the machine is more important. I do have a SB that will get the paint treatment - along with a total cleaning and check out, hopefully this winter, but not a rebuild as properly defined. But to each his own.
Life's too short for arguments over semantics. And I really don't remember any of the more senior contributors really blasting anyone on this sub forum. This one is pretty tame and leeway given.
Any professional I have ever worked with would question and correct - and also take the same in kind when the shoe was on the other foot. I've received and given constructive criticism over the years. But then I never considered those who flamed everyone as professionals. As a curmudgeon at my old age I can act that way.
Dale
