Thread: "Master Carpenter"

The premises of the Woodage in Mittagong were built with the assistance of a number of European journeymen. They had completed their apprenticeships, and then had to do a 3 years (I think) 'journey' where they worked at their trade, and weren't allowed to pay for transport - ie, had to work for it. They also had to wear fancy vests and bowler-type hats. I think the different trades had different numbers or types of buttons. Someone else may be able to shed more light on these blokes.

I am a master !!! Have skippered fishing boats , now i'm a carpenter (thats what i tell those with the $$$$$ ) , so i must be a master carpenter . Have to increase the prices now !!!

Originally Posted by LineLefty

Interesting.....

Someone who can get carpentry jobs by done doing the bare minimum required while still extracting maximum payment ...

interesting indeed.

to me that would be called a con artist.

Originally Posted by silentC

.........approved Master of Apprentices.........

I think this refers to washed up old rockers who want us to turn up our radios - I think that's the keay.

And at the risk of being overly pedantic there is a world of difference between being a master carpenter and master woodworker. Name all the master carpenters you know? Now the woodworkers - Krenov, Klausz ummmm? My point being that master carpenters are a dime a dozen!

I actually do recall (UK 40 years ago) certain tradesmen wearing bowler hats with their overalls, and a tie as well, shop stewards always wore a flat cap.

Im not real big on titles - just get on with it. I make a point of calling doctors by thier first name or mate, NEVER call a knight SIR!! or speak up to people as though theya re better than anyone else. Aussie is egalatarian after all. Dennis Lillee and keating are my heros, why ? becuase when they met iz of England they had the hide to touch her and speak to her like a normal bloke to some sheila in the street - there should be more of it by my reckoning.

Being a master craftsman hmm.... the judgement is in the work - i'd consider people like richard raffan, colen clenton or frank wiesner masters but would they call them selves fancy titles ? I think not. the proof is in the work. there are many master craftsmen here (Darrylf, Major Panic and ???... endless... to name a few off the top of my head) but refuse any title as they are weekenders- does this denegrate from thier capability? no.

I had a lady once tell me that here father was a "Master Builder". Is this the same as a "Master Carpenter" or was she just trying to impress me.

No.
A master builder is a builder who pays to use the term "Master Builder"
Sort of like a club.

Al

So you can be a crap builder and pay someone a few $$$ then call yourself a master builder? That sounds like a pretty cool kind of club.

The world is just so full of bllshdct. Anyone remember a few years ago when NSW tradesman proudly sported a "Gold Card" as proof they were licensed? It was to make the punters think that their plumber, sparky etc had had some sort of testing or experience to qualify in front of his peers.

Truth is that there was only a "Gold Card", no silver, no bronze, no zilch. So if you were licensed you had a "Gold Card" full stop.

A blatant attempt to deceive and mislead the public.

I beleive once this became common knowledge, the "Gold Card" was withdrawn.

Originally Posted by ryanarcher

interesting indeed.

to me that would be called a con artist.

Hi Ryan!

Agree totally!

For me a Master is one who has conquered the trials and tribulations of his chosen field, and, as remarked upon above, is capable and skilled enough in his/her art to be able to pass that on to apprentices.

It isn't about abusing that skill to 'milk' customers, but to make the best work possible - and, I suppose, charge for it appropriately.

Sadly, there aren't all that many master craftsmen (gender agnostic) around any more (perhaps there never really was all that many?)

How's the house coming along, BTW?

Cheers!

I reckon the best thing about being a 'master' would be that you get to call everyone under you "grasshopper".

Originally Posted by Ashore

"A workman so proficient as to follow his trade independently and teach apprentices"

We had a ships captian in the mob I worked for named Bates, he was aptly named


Rgds


Ashore

Master !!!

I remember
Cheers sam

Norm Abrahams is a master carpenter so if others come up to his standard they are also master carpenters else they are not.

Simple isn't it.


Peter.