I can probably throw my drill press in the trunk. I'm willing to go with the flow.
Jim
Printable View
I can probably throw my drill press in the trunk. I'm willing to go with the flow.
Jim
I decided to rent the hall in Grafton
as it seems we'll have at least
ten people showing up and the idea
of having different work stations
is pretty good. The hall is $150 for
five hours and an additional $35
for a bartender. Let me know if you
think we need one. Also it is set
for March 16th starting at noon. The
location is very easy to get to from
the pike and as I said there is a T stop
in Worcester and not far from the
hall in Grafton. Any other concerns
or comments please let me know. Thanks.
John
I would be happier going by train, no offense to you guys, but I have never met any of you before. And Im not familiar with the area.Quote:
Originally Posted by KingOfMalkier
Just mark me down as the cautious type... ( I really hope none of you take offense at this! Its not meant as a slur!)
As Im on holiday I wont have most of my kit with me (a Wapi at most) so I was planning coming along as an observer and for the oppertunity of sinking a couple of brews with some like minded gents.:D
No worries. I'm not really the most gregarious person either, so I understand completely.Quote:
Originally Posted by Agoge1
Quote:
Originally Posted by Agoge1
I'll take that as one vote for a bartender :tu .
John
My vote is personally against a bartender. I don't drink.
Sunday, March 16, 2008? Sunday?! I might be able to make it on a Sunday!
Need to check with the Domestic CEO, but I might be able to join the festivities...
And though I haven't confirmed for sure, my vote is for no alcohol... the thought of operating drill presses and honing straights under the influence seems like a *bad* idea... I suggest postponing any drinks until *after* the event... reminds me of an old Portuguese saying...
I was raised to say "Seja pelas almas", literally, "Let it be for the souls (in purgatory)"... but only after an incredibly satisfying meal... supposed to let the host know you truly enjoyed the meal, and acts as "saying grace"... but why bother if the food isn't great? :) My understanding is that American/English tradition is to "say grace" before each and every meal... pfft ;)
So, if the company is good, I suggest that people will naturally get together afterwards for prolonging the joy!
Also, is anyone here familiar with the Boston-Worcester train schedules? Esp. on Sundays, I know the commuter rail runs less frequently than during the week... it would be nice to provide our foreign friend with some train information so he can plan his trip. And I would respectfully suggest that he'll either be joining folks for drinks or a ride back to his accomodations or both after spending a few hours with the likes of us :) But just in case, getting home by train info would also be good to supply. And considering our guest's healthy suspicion, post links to MBTA train schedules so he can verify the info himself :)
PS Relax! We don't have hostels around here <shudder! what a horrid film!>
I don't drink myself, so the idea of
a bartender doesn't matter to me. I
didn't know if people will want
something to drink other than alcohol
while working, which a bartender
could provide. Of course you could
bring your own waters, sodas, etc. and
there is a Dunkin' Donuts nearby
which takes care of me. Again, let
me know either way. And paulo, if you
can make it that would be great.
The more the merrier. Also, I'm going
to call Howard from The Perfect Edge
and see if he's interested in coming by.
He live about ten minutes from where
we're meeting.
John
This is shaping up nicely! Any requests as to what people want to see/learn/buy/sell? Maybe I should finish up some restorations of my own so I can sell them... :hmmm:
As long as it doesn't delay my 3 beauties! :wQuote:
Originally Posted by Philadelph
worcester/boston train schedule
i am in like errol. i'll be coming from watertown (like a mile from c utz) and am up for carpooling (either driving or riding, i just like carpooling...)
I don't drink either. I also agree that the idea of very sharp metal objects and alcohol probably don't mix real well.
I was thinking drinks after playing around with sharp objects!
Before and during would be er a tad silly!
Yeah- no need for a bartender here either-
Well, for requests- I'm definitely looking for pointers on honing and hoping some with more experience in that can set me straight on a couple blades I can't seem to get going. I'd love to see and learn anything and everything anyone is willing to share on restorations.
I agree that a bartender during the get together seems iffy.
As for the event itself, I'd like some guidance on my honing. Also, although a full restore would be time prohibitive, I think it would be awesome to see various parts of it. Repinning would be easy enough, I believe. Anything that could be demonstrated as to removing rust/pitting would be excellent - though from the sounds of it the full process can take many hours.
Ok, bartender is out. Thanks for
the replies everyone.
John
Proposed topics of interest for the MA Get Togetha, in no particular order
1. Shaving tips and tricks... I'm not looking for anyone to lather up and demonstrate, but getting closer shaves on my neck especially is something I need to learn how to do better
1a. Not left handed? Neither am I! Tips and tricks on getting over your fear of shaving ambidextrously (didn't think I could do it, but the extra mindfullness it requires has given me safer and closer shaves than my dominant hand)
2. Restoration topics, esp. removing rust without obliterating etching or stamping, de- and re-pinning scales stand out in my mind, I'm sure there are others
2a. Honing and stropping 101... I have a stable of 6 razors in shaving trim, and maybe 3 of them I obtained were close to shave-ready... I've removed nicks and chips (both acquired and inflicted) from 3 of my razors and brought them all to shaving sharp, so I'd be more than glad to share what I know with the gang. If you have whetstones, hones, strops, bring 'em along for demonstrating
3. Razor p*rn... yes, I'd love to fondle some pristine antiques in shaving trim, not to mention any customs (scales or blades or both)... plus, I think it would be cool to post photos of the event for our fellow forumites to see (I can bring my digicam). Oh, and if anyone has any scales with molded or scrimshawed nudes, well, that'd be OK too... I guess...
4. How to handle RAD/HAD or any other AD afflictions we may suffer from (Hi... I'm Paulo, and I have RAD... <HI PAULO!>)
5. How to maintain your *AD afflictions (I am going to limit myself to 7 razors, which means I have to get rid of 3 razors I now have in hand!). Tips and tricks on selling and buying razors without YWFBOIYA (your wife's foot broken off in your *ss)
OK, that seems like more than enough to fill the afternoon now that I wrote it down! I have one suggestion that I think would be wicked cool... how about we restore a razor (I have a somewhat rusty, non-descript but good looking black scaled razor with no discernable maker's marks that I can donate, recent auction acquisition) and at the end of the event, raffle it off to a lucky attendee?
I had homework to do last night, and didn't remember to ask my wife about 3/16, but I will talk to her about it tonight! I'm really looking forward to this get togetha!
Alright... and I'll bring along my dirty bag of tricks which has a few razors in it for bad boys and girl pretty cheap.
A very good list, paulo. I would be very happy if we managed to fit all that in.
I'm a complete newbie but wouldn't mind stopping in for such festivities to see what the more experienced folks do with (and to) the blades. I could drive with three passengers (or four if three of them don't mind being a bit packed in) from central Somerville.
You can officially count me in for the get togetha! <and the crowd roars!> Can't wait!
HERE is the posting for the Mass meeting!
Sheesh!
I was wondering where it went.... Nope, not in the 'General' area anymore.
SO, it's good to see that this thing is scheduled. Who-all is in the Watertown area and wants to drive? (I only have 1 car, and the wife will need it)
OH, and about what time frame are we looking at?
C utz
The time frame is March 16th noon to 5pm.
John
I can give you a ride considering you're 3 pixels away from me on the mapQuote:
Originally Posted by C utz
Really?! That far?Quote:
Originally Posted by emile
I could have sworn it was no more than 2 pixels :p
Sure! Let me just pass this by the boss.
Also, there is another SRP-member in Watertown (about 1pixel from you, 2 from me), that might be interested too.......
I'll check though.
C utz
OK, now it's really official. I dropped off
a down payment today so everything is all
set. The address is 69 Worcester Street
in Grafton, MA 01536. As the date draws
closer I will post directions from the Mass
Pike exit. It's really very simple to get
to.
Also, I called Howard from The Perfect Edge
to let him know about the get together and to
invite him. He said he will be attending, so
bring your stone questions. That's all for
now. Thanks.
John
Count me in as well, especially as I can practically trip out of my driveway and land there. Have we got a set cost on this thing to make sure John isn't stuck with the bill? I didn't catch it in the posts. Also, what about folks who don't yet use a straight but want to come check it out? I may know a few of those, but I know our goal is to do information swapping and the like so don't know if this will impede.
BTW, I do straight shaving demos at reenacting events, don't know if that's something folks would like to see or not. For my part, I'd love a critique from others who do it as my audience is almost always newbies. I'm torn on the whole thing as I really want to hang out and learn (not to mention shaving in front of folks who know what their doing is more intimidating!) but I'd also love the feedback and like to know we have some stuff on the agenda. Let me know your thoughts, I'm really OK with you saying "No friggin' way!"
I don't see a big problem with it. I imagine some people would be interested, others could keep doing what they're doing. I have some experience, but really not that much, so I would probably watch a little to see how you deal with the tricky bits.
I am interested and will be representing the part of the state that's wistah-wostah (yes, it exists).
I'm particularly curious about basic honing techniques, as it took me many attempts to get a new razor shave-ready.
Assembling a list of any straight-razor or brush-lather friendly establishments in the state would be a good venture as well.
Are there vendors we can get to set up booths and pay a fee? The cost of the rental is amortized and we get an excuse to buy shaving products. It's win-win.
EDIT: and I'm all for having a few drinks before and while playing with sharp objects, so it's probably better not to have a bartender.
I thought I was representing Wistah by
myself. Good to have another on board :tu .
John
I'm technically in Wistah myself, though it's so close to Milbury and Grafton we like to pretend we aren't part of the city. Most folks in my neighborhood refer to it as living on the Milbury line. ;)
I second the vendor idea, I'm itching for a reason to spend a few more bucks. Just don't know what we have around hear aside from the new Art of Shaving store in Framingham.
And to clarify my post before on the demo, well, it's really geared to folks interested in getting into straight shaving, so it may not be best for this crowd. Let's me just hang out and enjoy the gathering. If this thing grows in the future might work as a "Straight Razor 101" sort of thing, but for this gathering it's probably far to elementary.
Ooops, let me be clearer. I'm West of Worcester (wista-wostah). I'll be coming in from the Pioneer Valley. My father might be joining us as well, although he's from another state and not a straight razor user.
Thanks for the clarification. You people from
the Pioneer Valley talk funny :roflmao . Gustav,
sounds like you and I are pretty close to
one another. I live on Sunderland Road. See
everyone there.
John
We sure are, I'm over on Massasoit!
Small world.
John
Does someone who is coming to this have a lapping stone? I've had problems honing and just learned that maybe my stone isn't flat. Getting my stone lapped would be great. Then I can see if it's my tools or just my technique.
i have a dmt course plate i use for lapping that i can bring. it only weights like 20 pounds :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by They Call Me Blockhead
I'll bring my granite slab too.... I have no wet/dry at the moment, but it's easy enough to take it with....
I've got a Norton lapping stone. I'll bring that.
I've already volunteered to bring my drill press -- I won't promise any bits, however. My current set's plastic box eats bits, and they are a pain to retrieve. I'll probably throw my drilldoctor in the trunk as well, although it only goes down to 3/32 bits.
Confession time: that unmarked black razor I was going to donate to raffle at the MA get-togetha? I couldn't resist, and started removing some surface rust :shrug: So we might not get to demonstrate rust removal with it much, but we can still bevel and hone it, hell, maybe even get a test shave in! Yes, I will still donate the razor to raffle off at the get-togetha.
I am planning on bringing my stable of razuhs, my DMT 600 whetstone, my translucent Arkansas stone, some rust removal equipment, my custom-cobbler-made-0.5 micron diamond pasted-strop, some safety glasses (in case people want to drill or Dremmel in relative safety), and my big ole' self.
T-16 days! :D