By Doug “Uncola” Lynn via TheBurningPlatform.com
Due to some sustained winds, I had a large limb of a sizable ash tree blown down. And, in consideration of the Emerald Ash Borer, which is sort of the COVID-19 of ash trees complete with its own federal quarantine regulations, I decided not to save the tree. Instead, I chose to cut it down in 18-inch chunks, stack it, and let it season in the round. Then, as needed, I’ll split it and restack it prior to its ultimate delivery into my high-efficiency wood burner on some crisp winter day.
Although I am sad to lose the tree I find myself grateful for technology, and capitalism, when undertaking such tasks. These gratitudes cross my mind when disassembling the saw and using an air compressor or vacuum to clean the components. Or as I’m sharpening the chain and oiling things up for storage, I’ll think of those who designed and built the machines; creations that are, truly, three-dimensional manifestations of intelligence, logic, and love.
I’ll wonder how many people have benefited from such inspirations. I’ll think of Adam Smith’s “Invisible Hand” and the “rising tide of capitalism” lifting all “boats”; and the “I Pencil” essay… those beautiful words written by Leonard Read. He was a libertarian peer of Austrian School of Economics luminaries like Ludwig von Mises and Murray Rothbard. He was an author who founded the Foundation for Economic Education; and he had the surname of Read. The irony.
To be sure, wealth happens when labor is applied to resources – and visionary innovation expands the opportunities for preferences and also saves time.
Years ago, I was talking to my neighbor who lives southeast of me. He was in the process of building a new garage attached to his existing garage. His tension of thought and hard work transformed concrete, brick, lumber and other materials into increased equity in his home and property. When I complimented him on his attention to detail in matching the existing construction he said: “Oh that’s nothin’. You should see Dean’s work. Makes me look like an amateur“.
Now, Dean was my neighbor straight to my south and when I was out for a walk one time, he started up a conversation as he was snagging his mail. He invited me into his shop where there stood a beautiful dresser he’d just finished. Literally, it looked as if it was built from cherry-colored glass.
As I expressed my admiration for his work, Dean said: “That? Oh, that’s nothin. You should see what Chuck does. It’s unbelievable.”
Chuck is our neighbor further to the south. He’s a retired physician and has presses and kilns and a vacuum apparatus that, I believe, said cost him 50 grand.
Indeed. The difference between a house framer, a finish carpenter, and an artist, is applied knowledge, practice, and the size and quantity of their tools, gizmos and gadgets.
I’ve often stated how technology is like fire because it can warm or burn. It’s what we do with the technology that makes the difference. And how much more so now. As the world is locked down, we have veritable video libraries online at our fingertips; even as men in high places desire to corral society with digital Windows and devious Gates – both of which, paradoxically, have enabled these very words to shine through. For now.
So, for those who wish to take a mental break from practical prepping and hellacious headlines, the video below is (in my opinion) a frivolously worthwhile and relaxing 13 minutes. It shows a creative craftsman at work, applying his labor to pencils and technology – and for a generous cause.
Cheers to the artists; their creations sound as beautiful music. Especially in challenging times.
The seeds for reconstruction exist in every town in largely obscure people who have carried on doing things the old way. Many of these folk started out in quest of a hobby, and got pretty good at it, but never went commercial because no money could be made due to globalism. Once the outsourcing dies, and there are all kinds of shortages of many items, we may well see these people come out of their garages and workshops providing services to repair and replace things that cannot be imported any more. However, they have to be able to make money first.
Really enjoyed that. I can’t play an instrument but I really appreciate the people who do and I bet any one of them would love a guitar like that. The cycle of life, those who can, do.
I told my wife that one of the silver linings that will likely emerge from this will be a return to hobbies- the pastimes people were involved in before mindless distractions and passive watching took over all of our spare time.
I have a young female friend who is now expressing interest in all sorts of traditional fiber arts, even embroidery.
HSF, I, too, admired this individual’s work of art and found myself wanting to obtain one of his guitars. However, not for art. LOL! I play and I have various guitars from cheap SX guitars for transport to friends to Gibsons, Taylor, Martin and Simon & Patrick brands. I even have a home recording studio.
My issue is I am a lefty which severely limits my options when it comes to budget and guitar models. For example, I can’t afford any of the Gibson semi-hollow body guitars made here in Gibson’s Memphis plant. They are simply out of my budget price range and left hand versions of guitars generally are even more expensive.
I think I will try to contact this guy and see how much he would charge me to make a left hand version of the guitar in the video. All he could say is you can’t afford it! LOL!
Reminds me of Justin Johnson who makes Blues Guitars out of anything he picks up. Shovels, cigar boxes etc. and they really play.
You’re right about the all the low to high level distractions wearing us down.
Stop and smell the roses. If we don’t everything will start smelling like overused Kitty Litter.
I love this.
I see barns/garages/sheds go up…sometimes over the course of a year.
Beautiful building both to behold and useful to the builder. Often
the one man mostly works alone and steadily. Then last, the paint.
These structures look as though they were always in place and are
art to us that pass by.
Living rural is heaven to me. I wouldn’t leave here for a million,
or a billion $. My life is almost perfect for me. I recommend this
life style for any persons out of the “working to pay off stuff” mode.
“How much money is enough?” He responded “Just a little more”
Free enterprise works. Crony Capitalism destroys.
I spent the past week helping my son-in-law & 4 teen grandsons build a new deck on the back of their house. It was a great experience for me and I think the kids, as well. My Dad taught me how to build, starting when I was quite young and it was a pleasure to work with my grandsons and explain to them what we were doing. The finished product will never be shown on HGTV or DIY, but it is square, sturdy and functional. It was also built with love and our own sweat.
Someday when they have houses of their own, maybe they will join forces and build each other outside structures, showing their kids how to work with their hands and without electronic gadgets.
I thoroughly enjoyed that sir Uncola, thanks for posting! Shared with my guitar shredding buddy and brother Brad Davis.
http://www.braddavismusic.com/
Beautiful guitar. Unfortunately whenever I see anything multicolored nowadays my mind seems to be automatically culturally drawn to the sexual deviant crowd which has hijacked and greatly tarnished the rainbow image of God’s covenant with Man to never destroy the earth by water again.
Sad that liberalism has tainted even rainbows. But that’s on them. We must yield them nothing.
Eyes Wide Shut…….yeah
It’s not the guitar doing this. It’s Larry Flintstone’s sidebar here that’s doing it. And you would have to have your eyes wide shut not to see it. In my opinion, this sidebar makes all the intellectual prowess put forth here moot. And I may not have any more opinions soon for some reason.
Larry Flintstone? Are you implying your opinion will be banned? Please clarify, for a dumb ass, uh, I mean asking for a friend.
Wow!! 1:15 and only 11 comments. Slow day for good news. Maybe that’s why ZH sells fear porn.
Aha! No repeats and a great article. I knew you had it in you:) Nice to tap into the arts aspects of things as well. Without going into specifics, I do art and make a good living at it so anytime a topic relating to the arts comes up it gets my attention. I was shocked to get a commission recently, I had figured that no one was doing much in The Days of Quarantine especially in the realm of spending money on art.
Speaking of making things musical from things generally not musical….This is Rhiannon Giddens playing clawhammer style on a banjo made from a gourd. I play banjo, not blue grass although I bluegrass three finger pick, my preference is for Appalachian songs and mountain modal tuning. Keyser Susie and I struck up a great friendship and it started with music. He and I really like the Carolina Chocolate Drops and Rhiannon Giddens. I mourn his passing….
And here is a handmade from wooden salad bowl banjo, played three finger style then clawhammer….
This is for Keyser Susie…..
Yo Flea, This post lacks the controversy (and anger) required to generate comments. It’s all good, man
A really enjoyable read ,and a fun video too. Thanks
“Oh that’s nothin’. You should see Dean’s work. Makes me look like an amateur”.
I’ve noticed that it’s a trait common to those who do excellent craftsmanship; even though they might recognize that they’ve done a good job in their own field, someone else’s mastery in a different area always seems to be a cut above, to be marveled at.
I’ve noticed the same, TS.
I believe it was Henry David Thoreau who said: “All excellence is equally achieved”.
In addition, there often seems to be an element of what has been termed “Imposter Syndrome” in genuinely humble people:
On the other hand, however, many others (including pretty much all liberals and myself when drinking) fall into the opposite of Imposter Syndrome. It’s called The “Dunning-Kruger Effect” or informally recognized as “Hold my Beer”:
I posted, read yours seconds later – exactly. Sometimes I’m afraid to turn around, fearing the ‘mouths agape’ while I shrug at irrelevant ie I know this/ it’s so well known that some are feet up/ near snoring
but many? most? are agape at this stunning revelation.
Nothing significant – maybe a few words on a poster in a window as I haul 48 empties into the LCB for my $4.80 – but others …62 years old, 8” lung surgery scar, Traffic Cop just walked by, mouth agape, I chase her down & call ‘You got jurisdiction over distance from curb/ 12” max?’
Uh, where?
On a public street, here, now.
Yeah…
Then why did you walk past that red thing, 3 ft from curb? Ya know that ‘dooring’ is a verb?
Huh?
Let’s go – could be gone by the time you write.
‘Cause I got balls that no lib has – I hire out of the Shelter. They bust their butt & feel respect but one couldn’t do it last week: ‘Sorry sir, 10 lb sledge splitting… done my best but got doored on my bike… flew 30 ft, parameds said I was lucky, hedge was a bad hit but the concrete wall was real close.’
Drove him back to the Shelter.
And the blue one – easy 3 ft, maybe 4, from curb. See how they open their door? Blocks all the green painted asphalt?
Uh…
She wrote both. Tickets under wipers. I won.
Same day my labouror flexed his arms, mixing concrete, sweating, junkie on juice: ‘Veins growing back. Cool, eh?’
Great job, JC – that why you had tracks up your neck?
Yeah, couldn’t main line.. now…wanna fly to Calgary in a month, see Mum, she’s JW, be a year clean.
Cool, JC. Thanks for a good day.
One died during the night, before work, a few minutes after he had a 10 minute close conversation with her. But he worked through it, didn’t buy/share /snort/ smoke. Was ready for me, did an honest day. Plus she died from chasing the dragon, not injecting – rare, but he’s seen them die from every possibility.
Put down the bottle and learn to write coherently, dude.
Dunning-Kruger – depends how you read it ONE: the stated theory – the stupid don’t realize how stupid they are TWO: the not-always-said: the bright don’t realize how bright they are.
My nephew tends towards ‘I wouldn’t have to manage my anger if people would manage their effing stupidity.’
He works construction & long discussions on sq ft of 8′ Tall X 37′ Long, with a couple windows, sends him around the bend fast.
Sure, that’s crude compared to your examples but the point is in his face all day every day.
I knew Canada had jumped from about 1/3 functional illiteracy to mid-40’s but when I saw good recent #’s from the Montreal Gazette of a solid 50%, with a couple good examples that day alone eg Safeway: Hours Open, I knew that it was gonna be a crap shoot from here on in.
Sad – I couldn’t handle it – had to leave the table – woman beside me was sobbing – couldn’t keep up, lost, & knew it. Her husband sat quietly – love, all ain’t always there nor needed. But he lights up/ needs it/ ain’t getting it. We go at each other hard core – makes our day, right or wrong.
Got one into Mensa recently (toss empties at the rubbies outside the LCB/ toss $ at the ‘wanna write’), nephew again hit mid-90’s, am working on another couple but Dem immigrants (“All are =/ There are no differences.”).
Mum used to knit for the LGH Aux Thrift Store – hey, I’m as happy pushing the droolers into bibs as the smart into conventions, but you start sobbing at coffee – we gotta talk about reality/ happy.
My nephew tends towards ‘I wouldn’t have to manage my anger if people would manage their effing stupidity.’
I know that feeling. Problem is, both sides of the Dunning-Kruger feel it.
I have found that even an intelligent person can do a stupid thing. However, I have never seen a stupid person do an intelligent thing.
Speaking of amazing feats of craftsmanship…there is this.
The Loretto Chapel Staircase Miracle
And speaking of quarantines for people not sick, these two doctors say nay. Isaka Kraka will not likey.
https://youtu.be/xfLVxx_lBLU
Lilies of the Field. Only next level.
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Hey Flash,
Thanks for posting that Loretto Chapel Staircase vid. I finally had some time to view it this morning. It is truly a remarkable accomplishment – especially given the lack of advanced technology at the time it was built (between 1877 and 1881).
I wanted to research some of the supernatural claims in the vid, and how sources like Wikipedia addressed them. Although more “down to earth” explanations are available online, none of them take away from the amazing engineering that, even today, has architects and builders still scratching their heads.
Regarding the “miracle” of no center support, I found the following explanation fascinating:
And, regarding the “mystery builder”…
It makes one wonder if, perhaps, the builder had studied helix-style staircases in Europe and, thus, was standing upon the shoulders of historical giants like Leonardo da Vinci who designed the spiral staircase in Château de Chambord; and then applied his own “solutions” so as to meet specific needs in a necessity-is-the-mother-of-all-invention fashion.
Also, the following is quite interesting (from the previously-linked Wiki post):
Which, in my opinion, confirms what I wrote in the above article:
And
Again, thanks for posting. I’d never heard of it before and if I ever find my way to Sante Fe someday, I plan to stop in at the Loretto Chapel for a look at just another labor of love making the world go ‘round.
Thanks for the info update. I still lean towards the supernatural explanation though. The talent to accomplish a masterpiece of this magnitude of functional beauty with mere hand tools is absolutely amazing, thus IMHO definitely had some help from God.
I learned about this from carpenter friend who visited the chapel years ago and after checking out the online pics I was even more amazed . I’ve built a few staircases in my time (with modern shop tools and never anything helical) so I have a little knowledge on staircase construction and for me this is a complex work of art, comparable to any.
Anyone interested in tackling a complex staircase project, let this be you starting guide.
I bought a reprint of this 1820 book in paperback 30 some odd years ago, but now you can download it for free here:
A treatise on the construction of staircases and handrails … Preceded by some necessary problems in practical geometry; with the sections and coverings of prismatic solids
https://archive.org/details/treatiseonconstr00nich/page/n4/mode/2up
Flash says:
And, admittedly, in addition to some aspects of the design, there are other mysteries – like the origin of the wood which is not indigenous to the area: From one article:
While another historian named Mary Jean Straw Cook has theorized the wood was imported from Europe or the entire staircase may have been assembled there.
And, regarding the historical record of François-Jean (Frenchy) Rochas the Roswell Daily Record has cited him as “quiet and reclusive” and “one of the bravest men in the Southwest” and potentially one of a “secret society of highly skilled craftsmen and artisans called the Compagnons, which has existed since the Middle Ages”
Anyway, it’s been fun to consider. Thanks again for posting
Interesting. I never knew there was so much speculation written on it. I won’t be surprised to hear hear it linked with the Templar Knights, Rosslyn Chapel and the Holy Grail next.
Sandpaper. All day, hours of classification/ research/ how to re-purpose.
No idea I’d left it for 11 years – Father died in 2009. Born 1918, Journeyman Tool & Die in ’37, Glasgow/ Clyde/ Singer under endless miles of Heinkels, Canada ’52 for the Avro Arrow.
Maybe ’75 some hot rod punk says ‘Gotta be OEM to win – judges looking up, as they would at Bowling Green – clamps at the UAW overhead angle, no evidence of aftermarket. Know how to rebuild Corvette calipers, invisible work in Concours? And to NHRA Drag standards that allow single digit quarter miles?
Dad’s eyes light up – how do I run this in the basement on a 9” Util-lathe with Mum quietly knitting upstairs, Fang on her lap?
Well, Mum knew she’d married the best – he had to get an exemption from the Feds to work gov’t in those days, say ’65 – work reserved for Vets. Obviously, Dad was Exempt in ’40 – Essential Service Occupation. So clouds of smoke/ flashes of blue light/ screeching metal-on-metal/ garage sales to find a Broan range hood to hang from bent coat-hangers over the lathe & milling machine – all else was built by hand. Nothing a Frigidaire 1/4 HP wouldn’t run – sander/ grinder/ table saw/ hydraulic press/ drill press/ air compressor. Generally plugged into a ‘remove the bulb/ stick these adapters in’/ now you got light & a Shop-Vac.
Hardening? The bathroom fan probably beats bellows – put the parts in a Westinghouse 30A sub-panel box – won’t melt when we turn it red.
Nothing made him happier than figuring it out – machine to cut out the corroded old/ cut new sleeves of bronze/ Loctite in place/ Sandpaper labelled as 230 Front, 320 Rear, 400 Final lap finish. Zero fails.
Ya wanna see what America can still do? Lots do, including Swedes/ Aussies/ Canucks – Hot Rod Magazine Drag Week – myself, 3 times since 2011. No nation in the world can touch that.
Solid brass balls yet remain in America in 2020.
By the way, the guitar vid was posted on April 5. When I finished the above post (evening of April 23) it had 1,206,550 views, or 67K views/day average. Then, a day later it has another 123,766 views. This post may have helped it along a little, but that’s not the point. The point is ripples in the pond.
Badass article, Unc . . . have had to take a break from the hostilities for a bit (all my guns were already loaded and the virus/response/blowback provides more ammo than I can collect) but THIS is a breath of fresh air. Instead of indulging hobbies, I for one have planted a much-bigger garden than I have for years, and it has taken (IS taking, not quite finished yet) longer than I planned because I’ve done most of it by hand, which brings me to my roundabout point: Got lucky twenty years ago and understudied with a painter out of Utah who was a true badass; I had been running my own small company for several years and thought I was good until I saw this guy’s work. Walked through the job-site/house where I met up with him and was speechless. Finish was so slick that, on the “flats” inside of the open casings, one so attired could adjust his tie. He took a sanding sponge and slid it across the top of the mantle; it never caught and bounced across the floor on the far side, and he asked, “So . . . what do you think?” I grinned and said, “Well, man, I don’t really have a point of reference for this, but, yeah, I wanna learn how to do it.” First official day, I got paired with his father, who was in town for a work- visit because the house was 6,000 feet and had to be done in ten days (finished in nine); we were prepping trim (filling nail-holes, which is CRUCIAL for a slick finish but after a few minutes, Dad stopped eyeballing, and we started talking), and I gave him a quick bio: “I’m really a carpenter, but I got a pretty good feel for paint, been doing it for about five years and thought I was good, but your son’s paintwork beats all I’ve ever seen.” He chuckled, and you could hear the years of whiskey and paint dust, when he answered, “For ’round here, til Jesse moved in, you WERE good, or so he heard, but I been all over, worked in thirty states, and I maya started him in the business but he blows me away, too.” He paused while he knifed putty into another hole, “Ain’t a hundred painters in the country can do what he does, as efficient, anyway, and he’s cocky. Sometimes I worry he’s gonna get his head stuck coming through the front door.” He chuckled again, like he had gravel in his throat. “BUT he sprays everything, you know, so I keep him humble, every chance I get, and remind him that sprayers are great and all, but a painter who can’t cut a straight line with a brush, in his hand . . . sucks.”
Neibo writes:
Which is another reminder of how mastering the vocabulary of any trade or profession is crucial to success; the words get everyone on the same page, so to speak. And the top tier pros, generally, have the largest understanding of the lexicon in their field of expertise.
In the above guitar vid the guy uses terms like “hipshot bridge” and “locking-tuners”; and, toward the end of the vid he says something like “the bridge pickup is pretty bright” (in reference to the guitar’s sound).
I found all that interesting. Even if my bent and broken fingers are too clumsy to play guitar effectively – if I ever wanted to learn to play – the guy in the guitar vid has pointed me in the right direction with those semantic markers.
Like I always told my kids: The key to excellent work (i.e. survival) is paying attention.
Thanks, Niebo. I enjoyed your comment
Good stuff. My father told me once, “An average story, crafted well, can be a masterpiece . . . the Mona Lisa, for example. . . .”
That video was impressive; the guy has equipment and some specialty files, etc., that I’ve never seen, which is always cool to see in action, especially is the context of luthiery, Also, I choked up a little at “Let it Be” at the end – was raised on the Beatles and may be the most soulful song Len/McC ever wrote together – was quite moving after such a labor of love (and incredible skill).
I could not find a link for ebay in English but the numbers say it all: the guitar sold for ten thousand, USD.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Burls-Art-Colored-Pencil-Electric-Guitar-/392751009846?_ul=CL
Niebo,
When I think of “luthiery”, I am reminded of how there is a word for everything.
On another note (pun intended), the guitar video guy’s more mellowed rendition gave me a new appreciation for the original.
Many years ago, I came across a compilation of old Playboy interviews and reading John Lennon’s answers to specific questions gave me a good perspective on his relationship with Paul McCartney. And those perspectives were validated recently while reading about McCartney’s claim the Beatles “were better” than the Rolling Stones. Accordingly, I enjoyed Mick Jagger’s intelligent response.
Personally, I see no need for comparison. I’ve enjoyed many Stones songs and, setting aside any personal opinions of the players, the following is one of my favorite songs (and video):
I have to agree with Jagger on that one, and, irked to say, there’s a bit of “rarr pfft pfft” (cat fight) to McCartney even bringing it up, even if it is in good humor; in fifty years, both bands will still be in the top ten most-influential rock bands, along with Floyd and Zeppelin, most likely. AND, I’ve always heard it credited to Keith Richards but can’t find “proof”, “You know you have a good solo when you can hum it.”
Re “luthiery” . . . I had to look it up to be sure, was gonna say “lutheirativity” but I had a feeling that it was too many syllables . . . .
I watch this guy for hours sometimes. Craftsmen are incredible.
excellent video. Thanks for posting it.
Judiciously applied heat, along with PB Blaster or WD, will do wonders for breaking loose rusted stuck parts.
Re: ScalpelSharp’s vid showing the restoration of the Gressel vice
Definitely a lot of gizmos and gadgets in that one. Accordingly, there’s always a decision to be made on the priority of labor (i.e. time). In the example of the above video, most might prefer simply buying a new vice with money earned pursuing other more profitable ventures.
But one time I was given some old rusted-out C clamps that had been through a flood years prior. When one of my buddies saw them under my workbench, he asked why I didn’t just scrap them. But, before I could answer, another friend spoke up and replied: “Because sometimes it’s good to restore old shit“.
Yep. And I suspect even more so in the near future