Do we need another sub forum or two?

[Michael G]

I was thinking the other day about our forum and how fantastic it is that members help each other out but then remembered that every so often we seem to get a new face show up whose prime motivation for joining seems to be to get something made up that they can't do themselves. I discussed this with another member who suggested that I raise it as a discussion point and see what the general consensus is.

I am happy trading favours with established members but must admit to be less willing to do things for those who do not have a history of participating in discussions or don't show a willingness to 'help themselves'. So - do we need a sub forum for people who just need something done – a bit like a list of jobs so that members who are feeling generous (or don't mind earning a little pocket money) can use their equipment to make up bits and pieces without those negotiations appearing in the main forum. Members could still ask or offer help in the main forum – this new sub-forum would be primarily a place for jobs where there is little or no expectation of a favour being returned. I am in two minds about this – while I enjoy discussing designs when someone comes up with something they want done I also treasure my hobby for what it is and don't like it when commercial transactions start intruding.
The other sub forum that came up while we were talking was one for "group builds". This one would be an area where members could come together for a common purpose. As an example, if there was a desire for several members to make up shaper vices for their Douglas shapers (as was once talked about), the work could be farmed out according to ability and equipment, coordinating from this sub-forum. Another example is if there was a desire for sets of change gears where some could make up blanks, some do keyways and still others cut. The cost of transporting material around may make it difficult but it might be a way for members to help each other out on a larger scale.

Thoughts?
Michael

[DSEL74]

I'm still relatively new but I think both these ideas seem valid.

The Build Help one if it is for new person looking for some one to build maybe it could be open to non members to post wanted ads and those in the forum who are looking for tenders can do so without popping up all over the forum and making it messy for others who are only interested as a pure hobby.



On the second one I think it also be great to have shed days where experienced members could workshop skills. i.e hand cut dovetails, or bowl turning, thread cutting, making a moxon vice, or plane making, pen turning etc. Then members who focus on a specific niche can get a toe in the water in other areas. Obviously it would have to be done regionally, but people could post their interest in hosting and the first 8 interested parties that are local can put their hands up to attend. If no money changes hands then I think you should be able to avoid insurance risk.

[Dave J]

I find I only visit this forum and don't often even get over to the Hercus forum.
I have seen people post questions here because it get more response than the Hercus forum.

Dave

[Dave J]

Just a thought what about making them sticky's?

Dave

[Anorak Bob]

I find I only visit this forum and don't often even get over to the Hercus forum.
I have seen people post questions here because it get more response than the Hercus forum.

Dave

I'd be one of the perpetrators Dave.

The Hercus forum used to be a hive of activity when I first joined this forum five years back. I think Derek "Bitza500" Chesworth was responsible for a lot of the enthusiasm in the sub forum in those days. Sadly, it has been a long time since Derek posted there. My posts in this forum are hopefully non brand specific enough to be of interest to some non Hercus owners. I know there are members here that would seldom venture into the Hercus forum. Raising a question regarding way wear on my Hercus T and C grinder seemed more appropriate here than there and the responses justified my decision. If had a solely Hercus related question I would raise it in the sub forum.

Often someone will join a forum to access information available only to members. I'm guilty. I joined a French forum because whilst I can't speak French, the forum is a trove of photos and downloadable catalogues and manuals. Funnily enough one of the downloadable files is my drawing of the Schaublin's drilling attachment. Sort of justified my mute membership.

I know of a couple of people who have joined this forum to ask for and acquire copies of Schaublin info that Phillip " Metalman" and I have. This information has willingly been provided with some remote hope that the gesture might be reciprocated. So far it looks like a vain wait.

The idea of setting up a sub forum to cater for work requests may or may not work. A post in the general forum is often read by a large number of members and often advice is proffered. Sub forums tend not to receive the same attention. A tricky one.

Bob.

[nearnexus]

I agree with Bob that specialised forums can fall into disuse due to lack of use.

I would keep the existing popular multifacetted forum going.

The variety makes it interesting.

Plus you tend to get so called "experts" hogging specialised groups.

Rob

[RayG]

Hi All,

I vote no more sub-forums, I think people tend to hang out in the same place most of the time, and rarely wander around looking at other forums... just as a test
pick another forum (on this site) and see how many names of posters are familiar..

Funnily enough, that pattern of behaviour is being changed for me, by a software bug.. I use tapatalk on the phone to periodically check the forums, but metalwork doesn't come up in the list.. I understand it's because metalwork is now in the header section, but tapatalk doesn't show the headers...

What this means is that to access the metalwork forum using tapatalk, you have to hope someone has posted something recently and look it up under "latest posts" tab..

So in the process of accessing the metalwork forum, I get to scan the latest posts in all other forums.... you'd be amazed at some of the interesting stuff going on in other forums, boat building, scale models... antique machinery restoration.... I've got to get out more...

Regards
Ray

[Big Shed]

I know it is outside your comfort zone Ray, but you might find some help in this thread

https://www.woodworkforums.com/f36/wo...-forum-168396/

I don't use Tapatalk myself, not even on my Android tablet, just use my standard Firefox.

[Bryan]

Request for quote threads always seem to turn into design discussions, and the higher traffic of the main forum makes it a good place for those.

[Scott]

I don't respond to threads on the metalwork forum in general therefore my response might not be all that valid. I do think we've got WAY too many sub-forums and categories under the sub-forums at the moment. It sort of dilutes the sub-forum and makes it difficult select an an area to post in if that category falls under a couple of categories. I'm all for the K.I.S.S principle.

[TKO]

I would like to add a little to what has been said, I do spend a lot of time in the metalwork forum ,although I do not take part in the discussions, not be cause I don't wont to its because I feel that I am intruding in a some what personal conversation,so many of the members are friends and visit each other ,and when a discussion come's up and I feel that I could make a valid suggestion,which might help
I decline for the above reasons,I have on a couple occasions posted.

I joined the woodwork forum not really knowing at the time there was a metal work forum, as i was interested in modeling and that included metal models as well, I have kept close tabs on the metal forum as I find it has a lot of interest to offer,people like my self who is long retired and would like to keep in touch with up to date ideas and problem solving.

Getting back to the question of sub forums to do as suggested,that there are forums for people who just want to pick some ones brain and then never come back,or just to ask questions ,would I think not be in the best interest of the general metal work forum as I think it would put more members in the same position as I am. its nice to feel that you are a member of a team even if you can't give much input.

No offense to enyone.

[Michael G]

No offence taken - you are taking part in a discussion and you do have a few posts to your name as well. The chances are if you post one day asking if someone could modify a widget or something you would get some help.
The question was raised because we do get some people come along wanting something made and then we never hear from them again. As someone pointed out to me in a PM all you have to do is look at the membership list to see the number of "members" who joined some time ago and who's posts can be counted on one hand.
A couple of people have commented that if these sorts of requests were on a different forum they would never see them - in part, that's the point. Only members wanting to do jobs would see them. The rest of us would not.

Opinion seems to be moving in the direction of no extra forums needed, but please continue to post your thoughts either for or against. For those who would describe themselves as Lurkers or as TKO has suggested feel that they are breaking into a private conversation, please post. This is quite a well moderated and respectful forum so you won't be flamed just for saying hello. We like new members who want to be part of things and discover new friends with common interests.

Michael

[Bryan]

I think stickies may be a better solution. I know some don't like them but I think they work well for this sort of thing. They get the exposure but take little space and it's easy to page down or scroll past them, like we all do on other forums.

And I have another suggestion: A transport sticky, where people can post load space available if they're driving interstate, or request same. It could also serve for people needing help with rigging and moving machines.

[Dave J]

Opinion seems to be moving in the direction of no extra forums needed, but please continue to post your thoughts either for or against. For those who would describe themselves as Lurkers or as TKO has suggested feel that they are breaking into a private conversation, please post. This is quite a well moderated and respectful forum so you won't be flamed just for saying hello. We like new members who want to be part of things and discover new friends with common interests.

Michael

Well said

Dave

[Machtool]

I would like to add a little to what has been said, I do spend a lot of time in the metalwork forum ,although I do not take part in the discussions, not be cause I don't wont to its because I feel that I am intruding in a some what personal conversation,so many of the members are friends and visit each other ,and when a discussion come's up and I feel that I could make a valid suggestion,which might help
I decline for the above reasons,I have on a couple occasions posted.

Mate. I didn't know some of these guys 3 -4 years ago, yet I now count many of them as my mates. Please feel free to chip in any time you feel like it. I'm a humble irrigation farmers son from Wyuna. So some one from Shep is nearly big smoke to me.

Unlike some of the forums, I cant remember any one that we have cut of at the knees for interjecting. Please feel free to speak up. You are in Shep, I'm sure I saw Ray mention just recently, you are welcome to catch up. Ray & Josh would be of the most interesting charators you will ever happen to catch up with in a life time. They always have coffee before noon, and a cold beer heading towards 4.00 p.m.

Even if you dont want to meet up face to face, that shouldn't stop you from participating. That's only because several dozen of us have meet up in person. Many of us do know each other. Dont let that stop us from knowing you.

Best regards Phil.