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06-26-2008, 09:35 AM
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#1 |
Name: Jimmy Coull City: Clayton State: NC County: Johnston Join Date: Sep 2006 Age: 49 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 6.34 over 180 days |
After reading a thread here on sharpening systems and laughing about somebody's lack of reading their Tormek manual, it got me thinking. I, much like Travis had, have caught myself in this situation on more than one occassion. I think that we buy a new tool for a specific job, such as sharpening chisels, read the instructions on that item and never pull the manual out again unless there's a problem with the machine. I'm fairly sure that many of us don't know the full capabilities of our tools, I know I don't  .
On another note, how many people keep all of their factory manuals, and are they easily available ?
Anybody else have thoughts on this ?
Jimmy 
__________________
Jimmy "There are no strangers here, only friends that haven't met " I only buy what I need now, not what I want..... except for lumber ! Remember: Support your local Sawyers and Kiln Operators. |  
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06-26-2008, 09:40 AM
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#2 |
Name: Tom Hintz City: Concord State: NC County: Cabarrus Join Date: Jun 2006 Age: 59 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 6.96 over 180 days |
I absolutely keep all of my instruction manuals and refer to them often. I even worte a story for my site on the subject. Link below.
I have done a lot of writing in three different industries and in every one of them the biggest problem their tech lines deal with is stuff that is well covered in the instuction manuals. Nobody can tell you better than they about how few people actually take the time to read a manual or to use it for setting up a machine, tool or whatever it is. http://www.newwoodworker.com/instmnuls.html | |
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06-26-2008, 09:48 AM
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#3 | | Administrator
Name: Chad City: Hookerton State: NC County: Greene Join Date: Feb 2006 Age: 54 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 6.96 over 180 days |
Manuals???  Do new tools come with manuals?  
Ok, yes I have all of my manual after 2000, Before 2000???? 
And are easily available. If I blow off the dust.  
__________________
Chad Pen turning is fast and fun!
It is highly addictive!
All your free time you once had will become a thing of the past!!
And Down The Dark Side Of Woodworking You! Will!
Goooooo!!
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06-26-2008, 09:48 AM
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#4 |
Name: Archie City: Garner State: NC County: Johnston Join Date: Nov 2006 Age: 65 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 5.68 over 180 days |
Hey Jimmy,
Well, I will have to say that I'm among those that do not
read the manual, except for set-up.
I do, however, keep all the manuals in a file folder in the shop.
Even have some manuals for equipment that I no longer have
for one reason or another.
Archie
__________________ Woodrat
The hurrier I go, the behinder I get.
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06-26-2008, 09:55 AM
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#5 |
Name: Randy City: Macon State: NC County: Warren Join Date: Jan 2006 Age: 58 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 5.48 over 180 days |
I read 'em all Jimmy. Cover to cover (except the foreign languages!!). Hoping maybe SOME of it will stick and when I run into a problem, the light bulb goes on  ! Being a newbie, I don't necessarily understand all of it  but I do read them. I keep all manuals/warranty info in a couple of portable file boxes in the shop for quick reference. I can't tell you how many times I've had to pull one out because I forgot how to adjust/align/tweak something.
I keep the manuals for everything, not just tools. If it's not a tool manual, it goes in a filing cabinet in my office.
Take care,
__________________
Randy
Being "over the hill" is much better than being under it!!! | |
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06-26-2008, 10:04 AM
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#6 |
Name: Travis City: Wake Forest State: NC County: Wake Join Date: Dec 2005 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 5.83 over 180 days |
Originally Posted by JimmyC  After reading a thread here on sharpening systems and laughing about somebody's lack of reading their Tormek manual, it got me thinking. I, much like Travis had, have caught myself in this situation on more than one occassion. I think that we buy a new tool for a specific job, such as sharpening chisels, read the instructions on that item and never pull the manual out again unless there's a problem with the machine. I'm fairly sure that many of us don't know the full capabilities of our tools, I know I don't .
On another note, how many people keep all of their factory manuals, and are they easily available ?
Anybody else have thoughts on this ?
Jimmy Laugh if you will, but I keep and read the manuals. The manuals for the Tormek are quite large. 
__________________ I think I am in remission. I am all tooled out.
OK, I did buy a few clamps, but I sold some too.
and a cordless drill...........
and a RO sander
and another cordless drill, but that is all!!! | |
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06-26-2008, 10:13 AM
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#7 |
Name: Glenn City: Baskerville State: VA County: Mecklenburg Join Date: Jan 2008 Age: 59 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 6.69 over 180 days |
Very ironic that you should start this thread Jimmy, a couple of days ago I fired up my planer for the first time and went to consult the manual but ended up downloading another one because it was not to be found. I am an avid reader and a a compulsive saver so I try to save all my papers but with the great move from NJ and shuffling things around my paperwork is scattered everywhere. Yesterday I bought a plastic file box and a couple dozen hanging folders so today I will be putting all my machine/tool manuals in the box which will reside in the shop from now on .gif "Drogar BigGrin(DBG)") . This scavenger hunt every time I need something is getting really stale 
__________________  " I get knocked down but I get up again" - Chumbawamba | |
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06-26-2008, 11:47 AM
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#8 |
Name: Geoff City: Lillington State: NC County: Harnett Join Date: Jan 2008 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 7.00 over 180 days |
I read them and keep them for reference...but...I really am a "do it, learn it" kind of guy. Hence, the large pile of scrap in my shop! .gif "Drogar Laugh(DBG)") | |
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06-26-2008, 12:11 PM
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#9 | | Director
Moderator
Name: Roger City: Durham State: NC County: Durham Join Date: Jul 2005 Age: 62 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 6.49 over 180 days |
I read every manual cover to cover and save them . . . though I can never find the one I need. I can't find anything. It's all buried in a box under box with no label. I have two solder guns somewhere that I've been looking for two weeks
Confused in RTP,
Roger
__________________
I ain't never had too much fun!
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06-26-2008, 12:17 PM
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#10 |
Name: Glenn City: Baskerville State: VA County: Mecklenburg Join Date: Jan 2008 Age: 59 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 6.69 over 180 days |
Originally Posted by sapwood I read every manual cover to cover and save them . . . though I can never find the one I need. I can't find anything. It's all buried in a box under box with no label. I have two solder guns somewhere that I've been looking for two weeks
Confused in RTP,
Roger Rubbermaid hanging file box = $9.88
20 Hanging File folders = $6.44
Being able to find paperwork = Priceless!!
__________________ " I get knocked down but I get up again" - Chumbawamba | |
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06-26-2008, 12:24 PM
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#11 |
Name: Alan Schaffter City: Washington State: NC County: Beaufort Join Date: Dec 2005 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 6.73 over 180 days |
I read every manual, at least once (actually, I don't read every manual- I don't read the ones written in French, Spanish, German, etc., etc. ) and I also watch the videos- Leigh, Tormek, WorkSharp, etc. I even download and print manuals for tools purchased on Ebay, Craig's list, etc. that didn't come with manuals. I also print and save manuals, drawings, and schematics for my various mechanical and electrical tool mods like VFD's, tachometer, router lift, etc.
Right now all the tools are in plastic pouches in the bottom drawer of my router table. If and when, I get back to finishing my shop and office, I'll dedicate a couple of file drawers to manuals, plans, etc. | |
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06-26-2008, 12:27 PM
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#12 |
Name: Fred City: franklinton State: nc County: franklin Join Date: Jun 2006 Age: 51 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 7.00 over 180 days |
UM.....I'm a man! need I say more?  I keep em.... some place. | |
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06-26-2008, 12:44 PM
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#13 |
Name: Glenn City: Baskerville State: VA County: Mecklenburg Join Date: Jan 2008 Age: 59 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 6.69 over 180 days |
Originally Posted by Alan in Little Washington I read every manual, at least once (actually, I don't read every manual- I don't read the ones written in French, Spanish, German, etc., etc. ) and I also watch the videos- Leigh, Tormek, WorkSharp, etc. I even download and print manuals for tools purchased on Ebay, Craig's list, etc. that didn't come with manuals. I also print and save manuals, drawings, and schematics for my various mechanical and electrical tool mods like VFD's, tachometer, router lift, etc.
Right now all the tools are in plastic pouches in the bottom drawer of my router table. If and when, I get back to finishing my shop and office, I'll dedicate a couple of file drawers to manuals, plans, etc. You allude to a good idea Alan, 1 gallon food storage bags are great for 8 1/2 x 11 papers/manuals to protect them. I keep the manuals for my gas powered machines, sprayers etc in bags since it is likely that liquids will be abundant when I am servicing these breeds of machines and need to consult the manuals 
__________________ " I get knocked down but I get up again" - Chumbawamba | |
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06-26-2008, 12:48 PM
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#14 | | Asst. Webmaster
Name: Bas City: Cary State: NC County: Wake Join Date: Aug 2007 Age: 35 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 6.96 over 180 days |
I read 'em and keep 'em. Sometimes, I read the manual on-line before even buying the product. And I also re-read the manual after 6 months or so, and usually discover something I missed the first time. I do need better storage for the manuals though, right now it's just a messy pile.
__________________
Bas.
I don't need it. I just want it.
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06-26-2008, 12:57 PM
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#15 |
Name: Chris City: Raleigh State: NC County: Wake Join Date: Jan 2008 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 0.58 over 180 days |
Originally Posted by Bas I read 'em and keep 'em. Sometimes, I read the manual on-line before even buying the product. And I also re-read the manual after 6 months or so, and usually discover something I missed the first time. I do need better storage for the manuals though, right now it's just a messy pile.
Read - YES
Keep - Maybe
Download a new copy before wasting time looking for the old one - YES
With all that said I learn by doing better than by reading so they mostly only come out when I need something special, like instructions for converting the motor from 110V to 220V operation.
Chris | |
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