A Great Visit

[ryanarcher]

well, now i don't feel so left out of all the Aussie woodworker get-togethers. :D I just had a great visit with Don B.(DPB) from Melbourne. he respectfully declined my invitation to go BASE-jumping, but did say that he would take me on in the ring if he was 10 years younger :D the two of us just barely fit inside of my tiny shop, but the enthusiasm for woodwork and timber was palpable. it was great to finally meet someone in the flesh from the forums, and Don couldn't have been any nicer (or more knowledgeble!). :)

If all you aussies are like Don, it must be a great place to live ;) :D :) .


-Ryan

Here's a pic of us with a piece of curly Hawaiin Koa.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y86/ryanarcher/100_2977.jpg

[Sturdee]

the two of us just barely fit inside of my tiny shop,

Ryan it is good to see that you finally meet up with one of us. Whilst you two might barely fit inside your shop I bet Don doesn't have to bend his head in your shop.

When he comes to mine he always has to watch his head as I don't have as much headroom as you seem to have. :D :D :D

BTW if you want to meet a lot of us come over and visit us. We'd all love to meet you.


Peter.

[Gumby]

Can you send that bit of timber back with him please. I WANT IT :D :D

[craigb]

Just get them to hold the next Firefighters Convention in Sydney, then get your work to send you as a delegate. :)

Simple :D

[Wood Borer]

Catching up with others from the Bulletin Board is great experience. I have met few and they are all top people.

[Grunt]

If all you aussies are like Don, it must be a great place to live ;) :D :) .
Sadly, the rest of us are wankers. :D

[Wongo]

Nice picture boys :)

[DPB]

There would have been more room in Ryan's shed if I were as fit and trim as he. His shop may be snug, but it is packed with a collection of fantastic tools. All of Ryan's tool collection is of the highest quality - both power and hand tools. If I was prone to envey, his tools would be a worthy subject.

It is obvious he knows how to use them, too. I had a sneak look at a few of the pieces he has made for his home - what craftsmanship! Here's a picture of him demonstrating the use of a Spade Chisel. It's as sharp as a razor, and cabable of a fine shaving or hogging large chips. Ryan plans to build his own home some day from timber taken from his property. He has trained to build using unique construction techniques involving structural timber that incorporate giant dovetail and mortise and tenon joints. This chisel, one he found, dates back to the 1800's.

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/6347/dscn40202lv.jpg (http://imageshack.us/)

Ryan is a great bloke - with a terrific family. His lady is brewing another one, so he may have to change his logo to Gilbert & Sons, or Gilbert & Kids, or maybe Gilbert Etc.

[ryanarcher]

Ryan is a great bloke - with a terrific family. His lady is brewing another one, so he may have to change his logo to Gilbert & Sons, or Gilbert & Kids, or maybe Gilbert Etc.


Thanks Don. Right back at ya ;)

I was thinking "Gilbert and Rugrats Woodworking" :D

Seriously, though the name will probably change to "Center of Gravity Carpentry" after the next kiddo.

-Ryan :)

[Gumby]

Guys please. All this fellowship is getting to me. <Sniff>
I'm crying all over the keyboard :o

Can we move on now, huh ? :D :D

[DPB]

Andy you're a pretty good bloke, too, Gumby!:D

[echnidna]

Reckon yer could fall a tree with that chisel

[oges]

Did they let you out of the country with the timber or is it in there to take the focus away from you two? :D

Also does he have any of type of t-shirt? :eek: :D

[Sturdee]

His shop may be snug, but it is packed with a collection of fantastic tools. All of Ryan's tool collection is of the highest quality - both power and hand tools. If I was prone to envey, his tools would be a worthy subject.


Good idea. Looking forward to a more detailed post on your workshop and tools Ryan.


Peter.

[Cliff Rogers]

Catching up with others from the Bulletin Board is great experience. I have met few and they are all top people.
& then you came to Cairns.... :rolleyes:

We've been talking for more than 6 hours straight & I've just about run out of voice.

Borer came to my place for dinner tonight, I cooked, he went home alive. :D

[Dusty]

Nice shop, Ryan.

Certainly a coupla' big fellas.

It's always great to meet others with similar interests, it beats normal people looking at what you do with total bewilderment.

I must admit our chisels and chiseling techniques down here are a little different than yours, judging by the picture.
We stand heaps closer to the sharp, pointy end of the chisel. :D

[zenwood]

Impressive chisel in that photo. I thought they were called 'slicks' (?).

What's all the literature up on the whiteboard? Must be useful stuff to occupy such a high profile position.

[ryanarcher]

Did they let you out of the country with the timber or is it in there to take the focus away from you two? :D

we realised we needed something good looking in the picture :D




Also does he have any of type of t-shirt? :eek: :D
anyone who visits me from the forums will walk away a new t-shirt guaranteed :D

[ryanarcher]

Impressive chisel in that photo. I thought they were called 'slicks' (?).

What's all the literature up on the whiteboard? Must be useful stuff to occupy such a high profile position.

thanks Zen. it is indeed a timber framing slick. Made (or at least patented) by the White brothers in 1837. it holds an edge better than any tool in my shop. you can still see the lamination line in the bevel.

the liturature on the board is the plans for the beautiful Dundas Rocker :D .

[zenwood]

... it is indeed a timber framing slick... Mmmmmm. Gorgeous! It looks in very good condition for such an old tool.


the liturature on the board is the plans for the beautiful Dundas Rocker :D Piccies?

[oges]

anyone who visits me from the forums will walk away a new t-shirt guaranteed :D

I meant 'any other type of tshirt' in my original posting .... and yeah im just jealous that I dont have one :p

[ryanarcher]

Mmmmmm. Gorgeous! It looks in very good condition for such an old tool.
Piccies?


thanks! here's the story of Rocker's rocker:

http://www.dldundas.com/

and the story of the slick:

http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/showthread.php?t=10402

[zenwood]

Nice rejuvenation on that slick.

Did you make one of those rockers?

Cheers.

[Trav]

Borer came to my place for dinner tonight, I cooked, he went home alive. :D

Ahh, but has anyone heard from him since?? ;)

Trav

[Cliff Rogers]

He's visiting Mick in Karanda tonight.

[boban]

he respectfully declined my invitation to go BASE-jumping,
Lets do it.....off the truck ladder I suppose.

I tell you what, if you ever come to Australia, you'll have a few visits to make I'd say. One popular fireman...love it Ryan.

[ryanarcher]

Thanks for all the invites and kind words! :) I'm just begining the rocker and will post pics when done. if anyone else is ever in the northwest US, please come and see me. I'm currently schieming a way to take my family on a holiday in Australia. :D

Have a good one!
-Ryan

[Sturdee]

Looking forward to your rocker making posts.

If you do manage to be succesfull in your scheming there will be plenty of workshops to see.


Peter.

[AlexS]

I'm currently schieming a way to take my family on a holiday in Australia. :D

Have a good one!
-Ryan

Have you thought about trying for a Churchill fellowship? One of our best woodworkers, Leon Sadubin, had one a few years ago, & I'm sure you could think up some words to support your application. Alternatively, try googling for firefighters conferences. A colleague supports his tourism like this - he and his wife find conferences they'd like to attend, which makes part of the trip tax deductible.

[zenwood]

...try googling for firefighters conferences...
Excellent idea AlexS. I believe there's a lot of cooperative activity between US and Ozzie firefighters. There's even a CFS unit in Eden Hills :).

[oges]

Hitch a ride on that fire helicopter 'Elvis' they send down for the bushfires each year, it comes from over in the US somewhere.

[ryanarcher]

Thanks for all the great ideas and enthusiasm guys!:D I have been thinking about teaching a timberframing class (similar to this one: http://www.rockymountainworkshops.com/rmsquarerule.html ) in Australia. However, Don thought that there would probably be little opportunity for it in OZ given the lack of large dimention timber. :( maybe I'll write a few TAFE's and see if their intrest is piqued.
other ideas are teaching a forcible entry class to Fire departments, or winning the loto. ;)

stay well everyone. :)

-ryan

P.S.

Here's a picture of a close up of some joinery from a great bellingham TF company:

http://www.cascadejoinery.com/gallery/saltspring/images/image05.jpg


and the hallway where it is displayed:

http://www.cascadejoinery.com/gallery/saltspring/images/image02.jpg

[AlexS]

Ryan, check this out as a possibility.

http://www.sturt.nsw.edu.au/index05.html

Could be worth thinkiing about.

[DPB]

However, Don thought that there would probably be little opportunity for it in OZ given the lack of large dimention timber. :(

I'm not sure that I gave Ryan the correct information regarding availability of large dimention timber - any comments??

[Jill]

Hi Ryan,

That's a great idea you have - don't give up yet! Here is the link to the site of Owner builder magazine, which may be a good lead: www.theownerbuilder.com.au (http://www.theownerbuilder.com.au/)

In their links, you'll notice there is http://www.lyrebirdridge.com.au

Also, another link to a forum for owner builders: www.byohouse.com.au (http://www.byohouse.com.au/)

Also check out www.hokianga.com/tahekemud/page2 (http://www.hokianga.com/tahekemud/page2) for a fantastic and DIFFERENT home in NZ incorporating logs - just for interest's sake! It may not be what you like, but it is inspiring, anyway!

Cheers,

Jill

[Dusty]

Awesome carpentry!