Thread: Most Expensive Mistake?

Originally Posted by Greg Frazer

Ping Ping Ping around the workshop it went... I wondered if it was even worthwhile looking for it.

End result wasnt too bad... I've convinced myself that it works better as a 5/8 anyway.

Originally Posted by Greg Frazer

I hear you mate... it's happened twice and both times were a result of getting distracted by something else. When using the belt sander (for razors anyway) I wear a leather shop apron with a generous pocket in the chest area... usually i keep a 6x6 inch piece of 3mm mild steel in the pocket... a bit like a rednecks bullet proof vest and goggles of course.

You have to be mindfull of the position of the steel against the belt, so that if you do loose you grip on it then it will naturally fly away, not toward you... if it hits the block wall behind the sander it can rebound but "hopefully" its lost enough energy not to be dangerous anymore... you can be practically guarenteed it aint got a sharp edge anymore though

Greg Frazer

It would be fun to watch you work...from behind a thick shield. I think I'll stick to my old hand tools...and they say I'm crazy!

- Dale

Originally Posted by Spokeshave

It would be fun to watch you work...

I imagine it would be fun... if it weren't your razor or your fingers in the way.

When i did my apprenticeship I remember in the apprentice-masters office he had an axe handle mounted on a wooden backing with a brass plaque that read "last resort apprentice training tool" he used to drill us religiously on not leaving chuck tools in the lathe, holding workpieces so that they'd fly away from you, securing the handle on the drilling machine so it didnt hit you in the mouth... and not wearing earings (he was a bit old school)

I think at one point or another since 1988 Ive probably gone against everything he said at least once and paid the price
There would be more than one occasion where Ive earned the old axe handle around the back of the head...

Hand tools are great... I just lack the patience

Greg Frazer

Originally Posted by Greg Frazer

I imagine it would be fun... if it weren't your razor or your fingers in the way.

Sorry. Didn't mean to minimize the seriousness of flying blades and power tools. You are, of course, right. Glad you survived it to tell the tale.

Back to the original question of the post...my most expensive mistake in my short time doing this was a $20 razor that I completely ruined by being bull headed and impatient enough to try and sharpen before I had a clue. I figured I'd sharpened plenty of plane irons and chisels that could shave the hair from the back of my hand...why not a razor? I learned a $20 lesson in humility and that a full hollow ground razor is not a chisel.

- Dale

Originally Posted by Jonedangerousli

Got a rusty Puma off eBay. Surface rust but a lot of it. About half way through getting it off I let the Dremel get away from me and put a huge chip in it.

Paid a pretty chunk for it. I suppose the scales being in good shape is one consolation.

That being said, trying to make myself feel better, what's the biggest, most expensive mistake you've made?

*edit* It's about 1/4" from the heel...

Ouch... Sorry to hear that.

I split open my left twinky with a str8 that required stitches. I guess that was pretty expensive.

After this story, my 13/16 Puma is going to be handled only by a professional (not me!) when it comes to clean honing, and rescaling. It is probably going to Joe Chandler very soon.

Originally Posted by Spokeshave

Sorry. Didn't mean to minimize the seriousness...

I didnt think you did mate... my response was meant in good humour...

Greg Frazer

Got my pinkie caught in a bread molding machine once. there was a noise coming from this machine that just didn't sit well with me, so I removed the back cover and jumped the safety switch so that I could find out where the noise was coming from. At about this time someone called my name and I looked over to see what they wanted and before I knew it my pinkie of my left hand was caught between the steel rollers. My instinct was to immediately pull my hand back so as not to get the rest of my hand sucked in! I yanked back and left my pinkie behind!
This happened four years ago june in Mesa Az. while fixing the bread molder for Safeway!
I was thinking about posting pictures of my left hand but I bet no one wants to see that!!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sorry, I just realized a razor was suppose to be involved!

OH, come on now...

You can just tell us the truth.
That you didn't pay the bookies on time, and that finger was just a warning.

I mean, of all the fingers...the smallest, most insignificant one?

I know it was bookies



C utz

Originally Posted by C utz

OH, come on now...

You can just tell us the truth.
That you didn't pay the bookies on time, and that finger was just a warning.

I mean, of all the fingers...the smallest, most insignificant one?

I know it was bookies



C utz

Actually it was the Yakusa!!

........

At least it was not the Russians

Razors anyone?