Thread: Long time coming

Doggie,
I'm with Gaza58, just became aware of your book, and would love to buy a copy. Any left or do we wait for 2nd Edition?
Look great, congratulations!
Cheers
Redbog

Just received my copy of your book Doggie...... Looks great... you have spent a lot of time putting together a very useful tool for Titan collectors. So much info it's going to take some time going through it all. Thanks again.
Gaza

Thanks Gaza
Enjoy. The whole thing took three years to write and prepare for printing (two years of research and writing and one year of editing, layout and proofing). I did very little marketing but thankfully its all gone well and I'm despatching the last few between now and the HTPAA tool sale (23/24 of this month). BUT. The decision to do a 2nd edition is nigh. What to do?? How many truly devoted Titan devotees are left out there? Have the 100 or so purchasers who bought the book all of them?. There's a couple more reviews coming out soon so the response to those might help make up my mind. I live in fear of a pallet of unsold, boxed books languishing in the barn as the cockroaches, silverfish and cockchafers (and dung beetles) slowly eat them.

Anyway Gaza have a good read. A couple of the reviews (HTPAA "Tool Chest" and "Australian Wood Review") have said its a manifesto on collecting in general and a microcosm of Australia's post war manufacturing history, as well as a Titan bible so its a broad church as our political betters are apt to say. Any feedback I'm getting will be melded into a second addition (if it happens) so feel free to comment (constructively if possible). Thanks for your support.
Regards
Dick - Titan guru, ex minor God and collector.

Another great HTPAA tool sale yesterday and enhanced my financial position (I deal to support my Titan habit) with the added benefit of some captivating chat with fellow tool types. There was a huge queue which snaked from the door, across the school yard for a hundred meters or so, almost out to the street. I was so busy behind the trestles that I didn't buy much (SWMBO very happy) but ended up with a few "please help me" Titans anyway. Moved half a dozen books too. Anyway, a few pics below.queued up to get in.jpgIan Edney at his post.jpg

Dick

I so understand the aspect of dealing to support the habit. The problem of course is relinquishing the hold on the possessions. I have difficulty in "letting go" of some of my Simonds. I suppose it is the perennial problem faced by an obsessively possessive parent. You must at some stage give me the secret to releasing the treasured possessions.

On a slightly different tack I received my copy of "Collecting Titan Chisels" and at first I was extremely pleased with it. It is beautifully produced with copious illustrations in full colour and comprehensive to a level it is hard to comprehend.

However, on reflection I am not sure that the book is such a good idea. Let me explain. Clearly I have a personality type that could be construed as compulsive hoarding. Fortunately for me it is under control and I could stop any time I wanted.

Nevertheless the warning signs are there. To illustrate this, when I asked if there were copies of the book still available I did not own a single Titan chisel. Now, a few weeks after receiving the book I have my first example, which Luke Maddox gave me as he is clearing out his stuff pending return to the US.

It needs a little work, but is basically sound only requiring a handle, squaring of the cutting edge and some flattening of the back. I gather from the book it is a registered firmer model. I measure it at 1 3/16". Of course it can only be a user, but that was it's attraction for me. I will make up a handle in the right style, but a different timber (spotted gum) and it will lay conveniently to hand for general use.

Titan Chisel - the first 002.jpgTitan Chisel - the first 001.jpg

Thanks for the book Dick. In all seriousness it is a credit to you.

Regards
Paul

Paul
The difference between a hoarder and collector is indeed a wafer thin line as is the next station, complete madness. I came close to being a hoarder when I collected "any" kind of tool but managed to shake it off about four years ago when I decided to collect Titan chisels only. I can't really explain why I did this but it probably had something to do with Titan chisels being the first tools I ever acquired for myself some fifty years ago and, they were made by my employer BHP and were available under their safety bonus scheme. I can still remember the thrill of unwrapping the shiny, lacquer/oil smelling tools from their tissue paper. I was even reluctant to use them at first and I never ever hit them with a steel hammer (sick hey). Anyway, once I started down that more focused single tool track I had a star to steer by and acquiring other stuff seemed a waste of time and money. There were however further modifications to this Titan only theme. For my collection I now only collect "collector grade" chisels that will move the collection forward (new examples, better examples and pristine duplicates to trade later). However, there are exceptions to this unwritten rule too. Firstly, if I see a bargain in any tool whilst searching I will acquire it to on-sell to support my quest. Similarly, I will purchase non collectable Titans if the price is right to also on-sell but ONLY if I am sure of at least doubling my money. Further to that, I clean up and put these non collectable Titans into user sets where a bit more value can be added. These "side" deals in no way cover the whole cost of collecting (or publishing the book for that matter) but they help pacify her indoors that my obsession is not a total waste of time and the way to ruin our family life. I'm not really a bona fide dealer either as I only sell at the HTPAA sales and on ebay. Surprisingly, of late there has been a continuous stream of requests for chisels as a result of the book. Thus I've kind of self limited the tool hoarding virus (inoculated against it really) and squeezed it into something more focused, economical, efficient, satisfying and useful. I wrote a section in the book about this under the "Collecting practicalities" chapter. Although I can't claim a complete cure of the hoarding virus and I have recurrences and fall backs every now and then I feel better about it most of the time. HA has worked.
Regards
Dick

And so began the 1st recorded meeting of "TA" Titans Anonymous.

"Collecting Simonds Saws" up next hey Paul?
I think you could then justify a trip to Fitchburg for research purposes.
Tax deductable of course.

Gavin

What a wonderful idea . However, after reading Dick's book it makes me realise that my level of research is not even the tip of the iceberg. I think I will have to content myself with the thread on the Forum and treat as a WIP.

Of course if enough Forumites had a whip round (different wip to the one above and also nothing to do with BDSM) for me to travel to Fitchburg I would be receptive. Unfortunately I don't think it would be productive: As Simonds don't reply to emails I believe they are unlikely to let me in the gate. I suppose I could leave Skippy at home and then they may not recognise me until it is too late.

In fact to follow in Dick's footsteps is daunting in the extreme. I think I might have to start referring to him as "Mr. Lynch" or "Sir."

One thing I do know is just as the ego stands up straight and starts to beat it's breast I find something that makes me realise how little I know and what a long way there is ahead. I find it interesting that really for Dick this book is the culmination of a lifelong interest.

Reading the book I can see where it would have taken at least that time.

Regards
Paul

I think if you fronted up to the office you might get a better response!
If you were a student you could stay in the old factory.
Old Simonds factory building opens as Fitchburg student housing - News - telegram.com - Worcester, MA
Just don't go visiting the Lockport factory.
Radiation Exposure - Simonds Saw Steel: Lipsitz & Ponterio

Gavin

Most interesting, but I might pursue this information in the Simonds thread as we are getting perilously close to hijacking the Titan story, which would be close to a criminal offence.

Regards
Paul

This post is just to show that my earlier post displaying my one and only handleless Titan chisel was not a gunnaoneday scenario. In fact it has displaced several other more important projects .

I realise that the handle is a cross between a socket type and a registered type. No matter, for me, as it looks a little like some other chisels I have in terms of shape at least.

The big "find" for me was the method of attaching the dome ferrule. No shoulder coupled with a chamfer on the inside of the ferrule. Good idea as there is no shoulder to crush under duress.

Titan Chisel 003.jpgTitan chisel 001.jpg

I realise I have overdone the dome a little, but I will be able to rectify that in use .

Regards
Paul

Good for another fifty years, easy. Now, get on with those more important projects.
Regards
dick

Thanks Dick

I assume you are talking about the chisel: Not me .

Regards
Paul