Tradesmen

[Cubist]

Since buying this ancient pile I have been puzzled by two things.

The first being; why every team of tradesmen that have had anything to do with the place seems, based on the physical evidence remaining, to consist of one craftsman and at least one other that could not reliably identify the business end, or true purpose, of any tool in the box?

The second being; the apparent ingenuity of either or both, demonstrated by an impressive ability to hide their mistakes and to sweep all manner of rubbish out of sight - at least until they got the cheque!

 

[malcolm]

It's probably always been the case. The person comissioning the job needs to know the job better than the tradesmen and they need to be there to keep an eye on things!

I'm working on a room where 17th century tradesmen put a dividing wall soleplate on the earth. In the 19th century they supported a brick fireplace hearth on only lathe, then early last century filled betweem the parquet and wall with lime and supported the overweight ceiling on a bit of 2 by 2.. Of course the trades got busy in the rest of the 20th century using the new wonder materials and really messed things up.

 

[Cubist]

The only upsides are that they have given us something to do, something to grouse about and something to be proud of when we put it right.

 

[plasticpigeon]

I asume you've heard this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyeMFSzPgGc

 

[Cubist]

Not sure, but think you posted the wrong link but I appreciated the Project Management App - but I still have most of the tools I used professionally. However, immediately after it I found the Brick Layers Lament by Gerard Hoffnung immediately after that one and have spent the last few minutes laughing like a drain. The man was a genius. I remember hearing this on the radio in the sixties and the belly laughter today rivalled that first time.

Many thanks for brightening my day.

 

[plasticpigeon]

Oh yes, that's very good. The link was meant to be "The gasman cometh".

 

[Cubist]

Found it. And yes, very apropos my usual circumstances.

Good laugh too and another fond memory to boot.

 

[Owain]

Of course the trades got busy in the rest of the 20th century using the new wonder materials and really messed things up.

Are you suggesting that making everything from asbestos and using radium underfloor heating hasn't stood the test of time?