Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Dread Scrolls See?

It's not good when a software update takes near 24 hours to download and install - not so happy memories of Windoze there, thanks, Apple. It's also slightly aggravating that apparently I now have to learn to switch from a horizontal email inbox layout to a vertical one. However, I can reach deep inside myself, forgive that ridiculously unnecessary change, and merely philosophically remark that I just need a few days of adjustment to get used to it. I'm not an unreasonable short-tempered technophobe, after all.

However, why in the name of all the gods does my scroll wheel now have to be scrolled up to go down the page?! It's going to take me forever to unlearn that one, you sadistic bar stewards!!!

Actually, that reminds me - my memory fails me on the detail, but isn't there at least one brand of Bailey pattern plane that elected to have the thread on the depth adjustment knob going the opposite way to "usual" (i.e. Not like Stanley)? I always felt that was a real argument for not mixing brands. Add in differences in cap irons (Record Stay-Set/Clifton, I'm looking at you and the Amazing Toe Hitting two part cap iron), lever caps (Millers Falls, you individualists, you), etc, and it's a minefield out there for the old tool user with a wide range of tools to choose from. As a result the clear-sighted user quickly realises that, for maximum efficiency, you clearly need one of each size in every brand you have*. Just to avoid embarrassing delays brought about by incorrect tool adjustment.

Tool justification? Apparently it's like riding a bike; you never really lose the knack...

* If I were to try implementing this I would be in so much trouble, it's not true. Not from The Management, but from the laws of physics. You simply can't put that much cast iron in one place without shifting the magnetic poles or something. Fairly sure the "Welcome to Earth" user's guide is very clear on not shifting magnetic poles about. Right between "It won't get better if you pick it" and "Leaving the room will always result in a goal".

7 comments:

  1. Alf, as an extremely unreasonable tech guy, I use the "classic layout" in Apple Mail. Go to Mail->Preferences, Viewing, and check the box at the top. In System Preferences, you can un-set the "Natural" scroll direction, also. Not sure where that is in the OS you're using.

    Related to oldtools…did Stanley switch directions on adjusters at some point, maybe type 8 or so? Anyway, my Sargent 414 is reverse of the Stanley, and drives me crazy.

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    1. My vow to give it a few days to get used to the new things has just withered and died in the face of the key phrases "classic layout" and "natural" (or rather, I suppose "unnatural"). Thank you, Adam, I am in your debt. My blood pressure is in your debt.

      I fancy it was Sargent I had in the back of my mind with regard to contrariwise depth adjustment, but now you mention Stanley I think you're absolutely right. It figures. Occasionally my perrenial wish for a time machine takes a dark turn and I find myself wishing to use it in the locating of the characters at Stanley who came up with things like that and having a word.

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  2. Yes, Stanley did change the direction at some point.I have an early type No. 7 that I am eventually going to sell precisely for this reason (I also do not care for the low knob and the small diameter adjuster). I am sure that this is documented somewhere in "Blood and Gore".

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    1. That's interesting; generally folks tend to wax lyrical about low knobs - at least in reference to hand planes. Are you more of a "microphone gripper" then?

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    2. From an aesthetic point of view, I do like the low knobs better. But yes, I have long fingers and I often like to grip the knob on the side and not from the top.

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  3. I have a Union jointer whose threads are reversed from the Stanleys. I can never remmber which is which and always have to look before adjusting it. On the same plane, the lateral adjustment is also reversed because the piece that catches in the groove in the blade is placed above the pivot on the lever, instead of below the pivot. Aaaargh!

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    1. In the circumstances I think "Aaaargh!" is pretty restrained of you, Jake. A regular twofer of frustration there.

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