Ideas please?

[Anonymous]

The trouble with ignoring "troll" type advice, ie. portland cement at every opportunity, is that some innocent browsers will think it is good advice because it is on this site. Posters need to argue strongly against it so that good advice prevails.

 

[Anonymous]

From a review in SPAB News 2003 of 'Survey and Repair of Traditional Buildings - A Sustainable Approach' by Richard Oxley, Donhead Pub.

'The author identifies that most building professionals (and builders) are only conversant with modern construction methods, resulting in much work being specified on the basis of current, rather than most appropriate, practice. The construction industry is keen to provide solutions to problems, but in a historic building context chooses not to identify the causes. As the two technologies collide, it is generally the historic building that suffers. This is not only a disastrous loss to a finite historic resource, but is unsustainable management of our building stock. Oxley points out that we should equally value the plight of our humble old buildings, not just those protected by legislation... With this book, Richard Oxley manages to plug a gap between the good intentions of inexperienced owners, professionals and the limitations of their knowlege and training. If he also fuels the debate within the industry regarding the desperate lack of skills in this vital area, this can only be to the good of future generations.'

Simon Cartlidge (EH)

 

[Anonymous]

I quite agree with your point Schoolmarm., the only concern is arguing strongly against first time posters views. Wouldn’t it be more polite to respond to these posters reminding them what site they are on and whilst their advice may be good for modern structures, it could lead to damage/problems within older structures. Reading an argumentative response to their advice and being classed a TROLL will only lead to more abusive posts. So instead of pulling these posters down lets teach them via posts that great understanding is needed when dealing with the problems which occur within period properties. At the end of the day most people who find this site will be searching the web for something relating to period properties and although some of their initial posts may not be what the more experienced posters like to hear, they may in fact have very good knowledge on other subjects relating to the PP’s.

 

[Anonymous]

But what a strange way to burst onto on a forum, I read through hundreds of posts first to learn what I could before I dared post anything.

 

[Anonymous]

"onto/on" please delete "on"!

 

[Anonymous]

Ok then lets put this to the test, a first timer bursts on to this forum, top of the page is a post regarding a damp problem and seven following responses some by regulars, four giving different views. Then a post informing us all about someone going on holiday followed by several responses mostly containing puns. The following post starts with someone wanting advice about a rights of way issue, with some good and some not so good responses. This starts a long nasty thread regarding trolls. Next etc. etc. etc. to the bottom of the page.
What has this first timer learnt about PP’s…?
…not a lot.

 

[Anonymous]

Yes but you are not a 'know it all', arrogant (mainly male!), 'I've been doing this for 50 years man and boy' type of trades person who is desperate to correct those opinionated historic building conservation type people who obviously know nothing as they have not been in the business for x years, if you see what I mean. Seriously though, I think that it is time for the forum to be made available to registered users only - I belong to a couple of other forums and this seems to be normal. I would also like the seeking specialist entries to have a feedback section added, where registered users could add an opinion of the specialist in question. It is all very well for a specialist to post their services, but if the specialist is not so good (either in work or attitude!) then how are the rest of us to know? Tricky business getting work done properly and courteously.....

 

[Anonymous]

Of course it would be wrong to allow false or misleading information to remain uncorrected, but the issue is really the manner in which it is done. After all, this is supposed to be a civilized forum, and there's no need to shout.
I would suggest that corrections should be posted firmly but courteously, and that any policing should be left to Simon. He's busy, I know, but nipping these silly threads in the bud at an early stage should be a priority.

 

[Anonymous]

And if you consider the matter carefully - Damp is trolling. Quite why I know not.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure I would try to hide them. A good wrought iron 'S' or cross shape with hammer marks, possible painted with smooth hammerite finish, doesn't look out of place to me.

 

[Anonymous]

A cross wouldn't be very expensive to have made surely? An S may be a touch more work!

 

[Anonymous]

I rather agree, John, but my pal regards these as acceptable outdoors but not indoors!
As a matter of interest, I had another thought about this today. Is there any reason why his interior load-spreaders have to be steel? Do you think a substantial board of oak (say 10 - 12 in square by 2 in thick) would be an acceptable solution? If so, then he could mould them decoratively, which he might find aesthetically satisfactory.
Your views on this would be a great help.
Thanks,
David

 

[Anonymous]

Did you expect to learn a bundle from just one thread?

FWIW it seems you did, just not what you had wanted.

Follow the forum as a whole for a few weeks, you'll find out plenty.

As people with interests, and in my case I treat this forum mostly as leisure time, I, and many others, arent paid to educate you. If you learn from it, great. If you want to contribute to the learning process, great. But no use moaning that others dont do everything you want.

If you want us to prepare educational material for you, offer the money or prepare it yourself.

These are basic forum concepts you're arguing over... its almost but not quite trolling. Next time it will be.

NT

 

[Anonymous]

Mmm...

Its odd that Evelyn keeps reverting to the Phil/joiner posts.

He did offer proof of his skills which are posted on this site, and despite a rallying call to arms by E to Nigel and others (Biff, Jerry) who had claimed that he could demonstrate this skill, he in fact never did.

He offered a tangible skill that is not documented. Most posts on this site are nothing more than second hand information plagarised from other websites, which anyone with a few search clicks could find.

I think its nothing more than being made to look a fool that gripes with E.

 

[Anonymous]

I am not a joiner! I couldn't give a damn how sash pocket is cut! Doubt it's uppermost in many people's minds to be honest! I have rather more important things on my mind at the momemt where historic buildings are concerned.

If Phil wants to share that so be it. If not - well, tough. But Phil doesn't exist, does he? Apart from a figment of someone's rather strange imagination.

However Anon - for someone who keeps saying how worthless my opinions are, you do seem to be rather spending a considerable amount of time following me around this site taking a great deal of note of what I say! Much more than a nanosecond! And wasting your valuable time responding!! Shucks! Should I be flattered or afraid?

Now tell me about Phoenix Columns - much more interesting altogether than sash pockets!

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[Anonymous]

Oh, Boo Hoo...

 

[Anonymous]

So - you really know nothing about Phoenix columns? Oh dear. Fascinating stuff! How very sad. I can quite understand you crying. Hugely important in construction history, and one of my areas of expertise.

America wouldn't be the place it is without them.

Tell you what though - I'll be seeing one of Britain's foremost experts on historic joinery next week. Georgian joinery in Sptalfield is one of his major interests. He's sorta well known - makes telly progs and such.

I'll ask him about sash pockets, point him in the direction of Phil's pics. I'm sure he'll be amazed. as of course so many were who saw them.

 

[Anonymous]

Duhh... I'm sure you will bore the nuts off him too!

 

[Anonymous]

Oh, by the way, when will the window by Biff arrive?

 

[Anonymous]

I think a reasonably thick plank of Oak would do the job David. You'd probably get as much flex, if you bent it over your knee, out of a 12mm thick steel bar as you would from a 30mm thick Oak plank. A 50mm Oak plank I reckon would be more than adequate.

Only difference really is that you may need something to spread the load to stop the bolt head burying itself into the Oak, and Oak is obviously more prone to splitting.