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Brit Woodworking Magazines - English Literature

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charlie b

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Jan 26, 2006, 11:04:50 AM1/26/06
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I pick up a copy of Traditional Woodworking semi-regularly. It’s a
British magazine and it’s interesting to see some of the tools and
equiptment not seen here in the U.S. As the name implies, the projects
In each issue are mainly solid wood using traditional joinery rather
than the typical U.S. woodworking magazines’ “you’ll need a sheet and a
half of 3/4” (fill in plywood, MDF, melamine etc.)”. And there’s
usually an odd, at least to me, project like “turn a wine barrel tap and
spigot”. Who has wine barrels, let alone wine barrels and no spigot?

But it’s the writing that impresses me the most. Always grammatically
correct, you’ll find no dangling prepositions, it’s the vocabulary, and
sometimes the spelling, that impresses me. Take the following sentences
from a review of the Festool TS-75 EBQ Plus circular saw.

“What sets if apart from so many of its rivals is the
effortless performance with which It despatches (sic) even
the deepest cuts in the toughest, most recalcitrant timbers.”

or

“It is, quite simply, immaculate.”

Perhaps U.S. Woodworking magazine publishers will work on
improving the writing in their magazines.

I can’t remember when I last “despatched” a piece of wood.
I regularly butcher, chop up, slice and dice and rip a board
or two. I’d try it on a “timber” but the Borg doesn’t carry
any. I asked about recalcitrant wood at a local lumber supplier
and just got a funny look and a shrug of the shoulders.

Other than the Glen Drake Tite-Mark marking gauge, I could
find no tool in my shop that I would describe as immaculate.
Take that back, the G.N.T. Gordon ebony spoke shave with
the brass mouth plates would also qualify as immaculate
AND elegant, as would the LN bronze beading tool.

Must be off now - timbers to rectangularize you know.
Ta-ta.

charlie b

Spam & NotwantSpam@1-2-3-4-5-6.notspam Phil-in-MI

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Jan 26, 2006, 8:17:48 PM1/26/06
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Isn't there some phrase about USA and England that goes something like two
countries separated by a common language?

Anyway, as I understand it, with the cost of wood being what it is over in
GB, I presume there will be fewer casual woodworking hobbyist than there are
in North America. It could be a few woodworking want-a-be who enjoy the
hobby only by reading about it since the availability and cost of wood
precludes their active participation.

Phil

"charlie b" <char...@accesscom.com> wrote in message
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Swingman

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Jan 27, 2006, 7:30:48 AM1/27/06
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"charlie b" wrote in message

> But it's the writing that impresses me the most. Always grammatically
> correct, you'll find no dangling prepositions, it's the vocabulary, and
> sometimes the spelling, that impresses me.

At the root of your observation is a concept increasingly less common on
these shores: education.

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 12/13/05


Leon

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Jan 27, 2006, 10:24:50 AM1/27/06
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"charlie b" <char...@accesscom.com> wrote in message
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Snip


And there's usually an odd, at least to me, project like "turn a wine
barrel tap and
> spigot". Who has wine barrels, let alone wine barrels and no spigot?

I have 2 halfs of a wine barrel in my back yard. They hold dirt and plants
and neither half has a spigot.

> But it's the writing that impresses me the most. Always grammatically
> correct, you'll find no dangling prepositions,

Thats cause their magazines are printed on the bigger metric pages that
they can put more words "on".


it's the vocabulary, and
> sometimes the spelling, that impresses me. Take the following sentences
> from a review of the Festool TS-75 EBQ Plus circular saw.
>
> "What sets if apart from so many of its rivals is the
> effortless performance with which It despatches (sic) even
> the deepest cuts in the toughest, most recalcitrant timbers."

Don't let the accent fool you.


>
> or
>
> "It is, quite simply, immaculate."
>
> Perhaps U.S. Woodworking magazine publishers will work on
> improving the writing in their magazines.

In all seriousness, big business here in the states could care less about
correct anything when it comes to grammer. It was no suprise to me when all
the banks that misspelled their names, failed. Banc Texas for instance.
Who would trust their money to a business that can not spell its name
properly.

>
> I can't remember when I last "despatched" a piece of wood.
> I regularly butcher, chop up, slice and dice and rip a board
> or two. I'd try it on a "timber" but the Borg doesn't carry
> any. I asked about recalcitrant wood at a local lumber supplier
> and just got a funny look and a shrug of the shoulders.
>
> Other than the Glen Drake Tite-Mark marking gauge, I could
> find no tool in my shop that I would describe as immaculate.
> Take that back, the G.N.T. Gordon ebony spoke shave with
> the brass mouth plates would also qualify as immaculate
> AND elegant, as would the LN bronze beading tool.

I hate to admit this but I have a few Bridge City Tools tools that are
immaculate. Yes I paid way way way way too much for them.

> Must be off now - timbers to rectangularize you know.
> Ta-ta.

SEE YUH

Swingman

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Jan 27, 2006, 12:04:30 PM1/27/06
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"Leon" wrote in message

> In all seriousness, big business here in the states could care less about
> correct anything when it comes to grammer.

^^^^^

... and spelling too! <gd&r>


> It was no suprise to me when all
> the banks that misspelled their names, failed. Banc Texas for instance.
> Who would trust their money to a business that can not spell its name
> properly.

Always thought that was being a bit too cutesy ... and for Texas, for damn
sure.

Lee Gordon

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Jan 27, 2006, 12:11:34 PM1/27/06
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<<Thats cause their magazines are printed on the bigger metric pages that
they can put more words "on".>>

Let's make it more "English," shall we:
"That is because their magazines are printed on the larger metric pages upon
which they can place more words." <g>

Lee

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_________________________________
Lee Gordon
http://www.leegordonproductions.com


Leon

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Jan 27, 2006, 1:11:24 PM1/27/06
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"Lee Gordon" <bucket...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:s5Wdnbwh-77...@comcast.com...

> <<Thats cause their magazines are printed on the bigger metric pages that
> they can put more words "on".>>
>
> Let's make it more "English," shall we:
> "That is because their magazines are printed on the larger metric pages
> upon which they can place more words." <g>

Did you like my dangling preposition? Did yuh? LOL I was puten the Texan
accent on it. There, no dangling preposition. ;~)


Enoch Root

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Jan 27, 2006, 5:03:28 PM1/27/06
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charlie b wrote:

> I can’t remember when I last “despatched” a piece of wood.

You would need the powers of A Creator, or lotsa lotsa time, to
accomplish such a task.

Oh, you mean a cut in wood. Never mind. :)

er
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Brooks Moses

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Jan 27, 2006, 9:00:55 PM1/27/06
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Lee Gordon wrote:
> <<Thats cause their magazines are printed on the bigger metric pages that
> they can put more words "on".>>
>
> Let's make it more "English," shall we:
> "That is because their magazines are printed on the larger metric pages upon
> which they can place more words." <g>

"That is the sort of bloody nonsense up with which I will not put!"
(attributed to Winston Churchill)

- Brooks


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