AWGB Woodturning Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: morrisc on September 05, 2017, 05:14:07 PM

Title: Burr available in Islington
Post by: morrisc on September 05, 2017, 05:14:07 PM
I am having to fell a horse-chestnut tree in Islington which has a very impressive burr which would be good for a woodturner.

Would anyone be interested in collecting it when the tree is felled and possibly making me something from the wood?

Please find a photograph of the tree attached. Regards, Christopher
Title: Re: Burr available in Islington
Post by: Les Symonds on September 05, 2017, 09:30:04 PM
Is this post really in the spirit of what this forum is here for?
This new member appears to have joined the forum under the premit that he can get something made for himself, rather than because he is a wood turner wanting to join us in the betterment of our craft.
If non-woodturners join this forum for personal gain, where on earth are we as a group heading?
Les
Title: Re: Burr available in Islington
Post by: seventhdevil on September 06, 2017, 12:27:13 AM
does he say he wants something for nothing???

les, i think he is suggesting that the tree can be of use to the woodturner who can collect it but he wouldn't mind at least one item made in return for all that wood rather than wanting his tree turned for free...
Title: Re: Burr available in Islington
Post by: Les Symonds on September 06, 2017, 05:37:17 AM
I understand that, Steve, but he clearly is not a woodtruner, so why is he a member of this forum?
Title: Re: Burr available in Islington
Post by: fuzzyturns on September 06, 2017, 09:16:37 AM
How else is he going to post his message?
Title: Re: Burr available in Islington
Post by: Wood spinner on September 06, 2017, 10:09:29 AM
I am having to fell a horse-chestnut tree in Islington which has a very impressive burr which would be good for a woodturner.

Would anyone be interested in collecting it when the tree is felled and possibly making me something from the wood?

Please find a photograph of the tree attached. Regards, Christopher

It may be better to cut the burrs off vertically rather than how you have shown with the red cut lines , as the burr may not travel through into the trunk part of the tree , Just my thoughts , I may be intrested and would be willing to make you something in return for your generosity
Title: Re: Burr available in Islington
Post by: crazylegs on September 06, 2017, 10:57:36 AM
wish it was closer to me. I see nothing wrong with the kind gesture of offering the wood to a turner. Is it better its burnt?
Title: Re: Burr available in Islington
Post by: Les Symonds on September 06, 2017, 01:59:29 PM
How else is he going to post his message?
By going through the proper channels and contacting the AWGB....that's how most non-turners do it. You must surely have seen messages posted on here by committee members after being contacted by non-turners wishing to offer such timber!
Les
Title: Re: Burr available in Islington
Post by: GBF on September 06, 2017, 04:10:16 PM
Do you have to be a Woodturner to be a Member of the AWGB.

Regards George
Title: Re: Burr available in Islington
Post by: bodrighywood on September 06, 2017, 04:32:51 PM
We have a number of members of our club who join the AWGB automatically and don't turn so I presume not.

Pete
Title: Re: Burr available in Islington
Post by: Les Symonds on September 06, 2017, 06:50:52 PM
Do you have to be a Woodturner to be a Member of the AWGB.

Regards George
Hello George....when I joined, that was certainly the case. There was a series of questions to be answered, all based on aspects of woodturning.....and to quote the web site home page, "...the AWGB is a national body representing woodturners", so I take it that one has to be a woodturner to be 'in'.
Les
Title: Re: Burr available in Islington
Post by: John D Smith on September 06, 2017, 08:27:55 PM
 
 Hi Les,
           I can understand where you are coming from I read it that all he was looking for was a piece made from this Tree maybe as a keepsake.
               I have often thought about posting a thread about the number of people who join the forum just to post items for sale then never post again until they have something to sell then after giving it some thought I didn't post because it might benefit a woodturner of this forum a way to get a bargain.
                                                 Regards John
Title: Re: Burr available in Islington
Post by: APH on September 07, 2017, 06:51:59 AM
I really don't see the problem here. Someone offers a significant amount of interesting timber for nothing to the community, but asks for a token item made from some of it.

If I had the spare time and capability of handling such a big amount of timber I'd jump at the chance and be very grateful for it.
Title: Re: Burr available in Islington
Post by: edbanger on September 07, 2017, 07:30:57 AM
I also have to say I don't see a problem with someone taking the trouble to make contact via the forum and offering a tree that they hope something can be done with rather than it go for firewood.

I've been communicating with Christopher and have arrange to collect the tree.

It seems that there is some rot so it's having to come down. He's been very helpful and just does not want to see his tree chopped down for waste.

Ed
Title: Re: Burr available in Islington
Post by: GBF on September 07, 2017, 08:14:57 AM
Makes sense to me

Regards George
Title: Re: Burr available in Islington
Post by: Les Symonds on September 07, 2017, 01:14:46 PM
OK....I bow to superior and majority comment. I had been concerned about the issue that John Smith mentioned (above) of people joining the forum, not because of an interest in woodturning, but for personal gain. Looking on the bright side, at least this thread got a lot more exposure because of my comments!
Les
Title: Re: Burr available in Islington
Post by: crazylegs on September 07, 2017, 03:36:02 PM
Good to hear.
Title: Re: Burr available in Islington
Post by: Dave Atkinson on September 07, 2017, 05:20:04 PM
Hi

I'd just like to clear up a little misunderstanding.  Anyone can join the AWGB, being a woodturner is not a pre-requisite.  Having said that I guess a person would have some passing interest in the craft, even if they didn't actively turn.  I'm sure we all know people who indulge in armchair hobbies, I have one or two myself.

As for joining the forum just to sell something useful or a post a single question, as long as people abide by the forum rules anyone can join.  If I look at the number of members many haven't posted at all. 

In this case I'm delighted that the tree will be used for something other than firewood.  I'm also jealous because it's too far for me to go!  :D :D

Best wishes to all and keep posting!

Dave (AWGB Chairman)
Title: Re: Burr available in Islington
Post by: Les Symonds on September 08, 2017, 07:21:16 AM
Thank you for clarifyling that, Dave. If I have caused any awkwardness or ill-feeling, I apologise.
Les
Title: Re: Burr available in Islington
Post by: Dave Atkinson on September 08, 2017, 08:51:43 AM
Thank you for clarifyling that, Dave. If I have caused any awkwardness or ill-feeling, I apologise.
Les

Kind or you to say that Les, I'm sure you didn't cause any problems at all, (and if you did you'll be forgiven now  :D :D)

Take care Dave
Title: Re: Burr available in Islington
Post by: John D Smith on September 08, 2017, 08:57:43 AM


 Well done Ed I hope the wood turns out to be worth you efforts. ;D

                           Regards John

                                       
Title: Re: Burr available in Islington
Post by: Paul Hannaby on September 11, 2017, 03:48:56 PM
Firstly, the forum is open to anyone who wants to use it - woodturner or not - as long as the subjects are related.

Secondly, if anyone has an objection to either a post or a member, they should contact the moderators rather than launching a public inquiry!

Thirdly, You may have noticed a number of non-woodturning related topics being discussed in this section. As long as the subjects are sensible, we aren't going to stop that.

The reason I post ads for people is because they either don't want to sign up on the forum or they aren't computer literate and I think the items being sold may be of interest to a member.

If I was a newcomer, thinking of joining the forum and I read this, I think I would have gone elsewhere! So much for tolerance!!!
Title: Re: Burr available in Islington
Post by: Les Symonds on September 12, 2017, 08:00:05 PM
Paul…..I must say that I am somewhat puzzled by your reply. I had apologised and my apology was accepted, so as far as I understood, the matter was closed, yet now it has been re-opened by you, a few days later, making a number of adverse comments about my words, and that is a shame.
Let me deal with some of the points that you have raised.
You say that the forum is open to anyone……it might have been more helpful if you had explained why this is now the case when clearly it was not a few years ago. I explained that when I joined, about 4 years ago, there was a question/answer exercise that all applicants had to complete to join the forum. As I further mentioned, the AWGB’s own home page states that “…the AWGB is a national body representing woodturners”. That seems unequivocal to me, but if it is wrong, perhaps it needs to be changed so that others are not misled by it.
I did not object to the post, I simply asked the question if the post was in the spirit of the forum, and I certainly did not launch a public enquiry. Those are strong words that you have used to buttress your opinion, Paul, but they are inaccurate words and I find them mildly offensive. In my belief that the AWGB was for woodturners, I explained that it concerned me that some people seem to join the forum for short term gain rather than for a genuine interest of woodturning. Let us be honest, we have all noticed new members make a single post involving the sale of something, only to then disappear off the forum.
You say that in times of a disagreement, we should contact the moderator, but what happened to free speech, Paul? Do you honestly mean to say that a member cannot raise an issue like this without being in breach of a rule – that seems rather draconian. I think that it is a sad state of affairs if we cannot debate such issues without fearing the sort of response that you have made to this thread. Disagreements are a part of what make us individuals, and society would be much the poorer without them. I used polite language when I raised my concerns about this post and I believe that if anything is out of order, it is the attitude that we, as responsible members of this forum, are not allowed to discuss issues like this.

Les
Title: Re: Burr available in Islington
Post by: crazylegs on September 12, 2017, 09:47:48 PM
As a new member I read this thread with interest as it for me was a healthy exchange of views on a subject I personally thought was directly related to wood turning. It seemed that everyone had their views and that these were being respected by all.
 That was until the last post by the moderator.
I am perplexed as to why this was needed in a post that had run its course with all parties happy? I can only hope this was written earlier and was out of sync with the threads. I hope this was the case.
I as the new member am not put off in the slightest by the open exchange of views, I will undoubtedly disagree with some things but that is how life is. What will put me off is if there is a heavy handed approach by moderators. If there is no abuse, swearing, threats, scams or open advertising then for me,  the new boy, honest discussion is to be applauded and long may it continue. As for moderating surely the aim is to not let personal views come into it. To look at a thread from both sides. I did not see a public inquiry or lack of tolerance, quite the opposite, I saw a discussion where all involved generously accepted the comments made.
Title: Re: Burr available in Islington
Post by: Les Symonds on September 12, 2017, 09:59:04 PM
Thank you, Crazylegs, it's encouraging to read your comments.
Les
Title: Re: Burr available in Islington
Post by: GBF on September 12, 2017, 10:18:41 PM
Having met Paul Hannaby on many ocasions and had him at our Club as a demonstrator I have found him to be a very likable person.
His knowledge and ablity as a woodturner is unquestionable.
However I think Paul is a very poor Moderator he seems to want to stamp his authority on threads very often unnesaserily in my opinion.
I get fed up looking at threads to see that comments have been removed and I cannot imagine anything can have been said that was offensive enough to warrent it.
Paul please dont take my comment as a personnal attack on you it is not I just think you need to lighten up a bit sometimes and be less
authoritarian.
The Forum belongs to all of it Members it is not the Paul Hannaby Forum

Regards George
Title: Re: Burr available in Islington
Post by: John D Smith on September 12, 2017, 10:39:51 PM
 
 Hi everyone,
                   It is a shame this thread has got to this stage I say to you Paul you over the last number of years you have worked tirelessly in the work you have done for the AWGB and I for one applaud this dedication I love to be active in this forum but lets keep it open to democratic speech I know we have in the past had a few not so nice comments but that is water under the bridge don't turn this Forum into something of a police state because I think this thread was fair discussion and the comments made were genuine also a lot of the comments came from Members who play a large part in keeping this Forum interesting and informative so let us enjoy the Forum for what it is. ;D ;D ;D
                       Regards John
Title: Re: Burr available in Islington
Post by: bodrighywood on September 12, 2017, 10:46:52 PM
We need to be aware that making comments online can be misread as there is no face to face contact but I have to say that removing comments etc is not acceptable unless they are personally offensive and discussions such as the one that this thread was originally about should be seen for what they are, open, courteous and IMHO not at all offensive. Differing opinions are a healthy part of society and should be seen as such and not criticised. If there is a need for verbal discipline from a moderatorthen it should be done by PM between the moderator and the person concerned.

Pegte
Title: Re: Burr available in Islington
Post by: Les Symonds on September 12, 2017, 10:53:11 PM
Thank you everyone....I am heartened by the comments.
Les
Title: Re: Burr available in Islington
Post by: dubturner on September 13, 2017, 11:22:16 AM
Much ado about nothing methinks.
Title: Re: Burr available in Islington
Post by: edbanger on September 13, 2017, 09:32:17 PM
Very well put Les

I think that this thread as moved well away from the original post but I think that it's fair that people are free to voice their opinion.

With all that being said I went and met Christopher and a very nice chap is was too.

I came away with with a truck full of Horse Chestnut Burrs well in excess of 1 1/2 tons Lovey Jubbly  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Ed 
Title: Re: Burr available in Islington
Post by: Les Symonds on September 13, 2017, 09:53:31 PM
...I came away with with a truck full of Horse Chestnut Burrs well in excess of 1 1/2 tons Lovey Jubbly...
I'm really pleased that this worked out so well, Ed. Thanks for letting us know.
Les