Ok, saw something that irked me. In one of the “trading spaces family” shows, the carp guy is showing a kid how to use a router. The kid makes a pass with the router, shuts it down and then not knowing what to do next, puts it under his arm like a football while the bit is still spinning and looks at his handywork.
I almost had a heart atttack. Wonder how they would edit that piece out had the kid dadoed his ribs out.
From building boxes and fitting face frames to installing doors and drawers, these techniques could be used for lots of cabinet projects.
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The more and more prevalent Home Improvement shows become, the more they need a professional on the set for comment and advice; similar to a military adviser when making a war movie. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear to be happening, or the hosts (Mr. Vila) consider themselves professional enough and would have their egos bruised should someone else offer advice.
Just my opinion, though, but should Hollywood need someone I'd be glad to volunteer Andy or Piffin, since they want their own show anyways <G>.
the only thing I like about trading spaces is they show that redhead belly button from the top.
The best employee you can have but you wouldn't want him as a neighbor " He the shifty type"
Piffin...have his own show? He seems to know a thing or two, but have you seen his photo??
Al Mollitor, Sharon MA
My wife and daughters love Trading Spaces, so its often on the tube as I`m passing through.(OK, Paige is hot, so I sneak a peek from time to time myself)
In an episode over the weekend I witnessed the designer (note, not even the "carpenter") installing some crown moulding with a pnuematic nailer while not donning (sp?) a pair of safety glasses. He then handed the gun over to the HO, to finish off, who wasn`t wearing any either. Matter of fact, the HO was more concerned with telling some anecdotal tale regarding his occupation than paying attention to what he was doing.
I generally find these shows to be overly simplistic....but when they show such careless disregard for safety, they become out and out dangerous.
BTW, while on the topic of "home improvement TV", I thought Id mention one bit of "craftsmanship" I witnessed on one of the knock-offs. (Every channel seems to have several of these shows currently) In this episode the "crew" was sprucing up a home office/guest bedroom. They decided to use a 1/4" wainscotte panel around the perimeter of the room. I understand these shows are on a budjet....but when the guy installing the paneling chose to leave the outlets and plates mounted (paint over them) and then cut the paneling around them, I almost lost it. All in all its probably a good thing. Sooner or later people with sense (and taste) are going to buy these homes...and another qualified professional will earn a paycheck.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
"DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"
A true example of Fine Home Building you can be proud of. : )
They didn't even remove the plate, that right? That's some kind of limburger cheesy. How did it look? Did they get anywhere close, or did they paint the wall and plate the same color as the paneling, hoping you wouldn't notice?
I never met a tool I didn't like!
Another trading spaces had a kid using a router and he zips clear across the middle of the board making the piece a piece of junk. Was kind of funny to watch though.man found sitting on toilet is said to be high on pot!
Thanks to some very specific editing....we got a quick peek of the outlet and wallplate (painted to match paneling) just as the paneling was being set in place....yet the view didn`t last long enough to notice how tight the cutout was....limberger at its cheesiest!J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
"DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"
Reminds me of Venice Beach apartments -- Tenants would paint over dead roaches. For a quality job, come back and do the roaches in the trim color..... ;-)
As for safety, one of the worst I remember was "Weekend Warriors". A guy cut an opening maybe 10' wide thru a wall. It turned out to be non-bearing, but nobody involved had a clue that there was something they shoulda been thinking about first.
-- J.S.
These "home improvement" shows and such are fueling the reality show..."Trauma..Life and Death in the ER"....and maybe "Judge Judy" after the lawsuits that their son or daughter lost a finger....
JC
nobody involved had a clue that there was something they shoulda been thinking about first
Like life insurance!
I never met a tool I didn't like!
Along the same line, I've noticed on all the gearhead shows (Monster Garage, American Chopper, etc.) everybody welds with no masks, bare hands and arms, and sometimes even in shorts and sandals. They just squint and pull the trigger.
Yeah, some are worse then others. Too busy being cool to be safe, I guess.
Whadda maroon. Look real cool with yer head on fire, or blind.
MikeOne by one, the penguins steal my sanity.
Well, how are you going to get "discovered" if your hiding behind a welders mask! (sarcasm - just so no one misinterprets what I'm saying)
Unfortunately, that qualified pro will have to clean up the junk that was left there. I guess thats also part of the job though right?
I guess thats also part of the job though right?
Cha-ching!
Just cause I own several pnuematics, don`t mean I don`t know how to hammer (`em)J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
"DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"
....leave the outlets and plates mounted (paint over them).....
You think that's funny?
so I show up to work today after a weeks vacation, boss says this one job is ready for paint touch up and then trim...ok off I go...
show up and the new kid rolled right OVER the outlets... with paint you ask? no of course not. two coats of primer.
kid couldn't figure out that primer was different than paint, ran out of the first 5 and went to get another, bought primer instead of picking up the paint that was already color matched for him to pick up... said today he thought that was the paint, so I ask well...didn't ya think maybe you sould have primed the walls before painting then if that was the top coat you were using.? that maybe primer and paint are two different products... I got a blank stare
the painted outlets are just the begining of the mess he created.
guy say's he can paint, well I guess he was able to get all over everything if that counts. where does the boss get these guys?
ah well, job security I guess sorry I had to vent.
as for trading spaces, I just don't get those shows, what are these people thinking when they invite them into their homes, haven't they seem them ruin other peoples? seems sadomasochistic to me.
re: CAG and his response...where does the boss get these guys? All of a sudden he gets his degree and now he's an expert! Did y'all catch the tone of his response, how he has to supervise a "new kid"? "Hey kid! Youse tink I went to collige fer 4 years just sos I kin tell primer from paint?"
Next thing you know, he's gonna get married and try to tell all us veterans about sex.
:)
Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!" Then get busy and find out how to do it. T. Roosevelt
Edited 1/12/2004 8:58:50 PM ET by ELCID72
>>Next thing you know, he's gonna get married and try to tell all us veterans about sex.
Those who can, do. Those who can't, talk.
I don't kiss and tell ;) and I didn;t think guys your age still could. ;)
and this has nothing to do with how good I am or me supervising anyone, just common sense here.
and I didn;t think guys your age still could. Could what? What are we talking about here? Why you little whippersnapper! By the time I was you age, I did more than you'll ever do. And thought more than you'll ever think. When I was your age, the snow was soooo deep, and my little brother weighed sooo much...and what were we talking about again?
just common sense here. Ever think about giving the little turd some guidance and corrective advice before you just flushed him? Oh, I forgot...arkys don't make mistakes, they just re-write the specs.
:)Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!" Then get busy and find out how to do it. T. Roosevelt
elcid, your missing the point here ;)
not trying to act all high and mighty, but do ya really think someone should need advice on not rolling right over every electric outlet in a room?
come on man!
and I'm not smart enough to be an arcky :)
do ya really think someone should need advice on not rolling right over every electric outlet in a room? Depends on the experience and attitude of the person. Maybe he doesn't really want to be there and doesn't care, and if you're gonna make him paint walls, he's gonna make you regret it. Maybe he has never painted before, and doesn't know what to do. Maybe the only time he's ever painted before, he followed Bubba's lead, and Bubba was a redneck. I had a kid working for me a week or so ago, and he seriously thought that a thick coat of paint was better then three thin coats, cuz it saved time and he only had to wash the brush once.
Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!" Then get busy and find out how to do it. T. Roosevelt
Do you ever see a respirator on these TV shows?
Nah, might mess up their hair...
How about ear protection? Ok, sometimes, but rarely...
I wonder how some of these houses look say 1,2,3 or 5 years down the road. That is assuming the H.O. doesnt have it all torn out the day after the filming crew leaves.
Ive watched several that the work was done with out being on camera . The veiwers are supposed to believe [and they do] that Ms Lucy did all that work [the homeowner ] and all involved had a good time . I also watched the couples thing where the homeowner did extensive remodeling on their own . I have never seen enough tools to get the job done for one thing and like you point out the experience to operate the tools that are rented . These shows are normally brought to us by the big boxes and Sears . They make it sound that ay so every one will get power tools that can hurt them and mention no saftey issues like a router . One of my favorites is to see a woman using drywall router for the first time on tv . Anyone who remembers their first experience with one of those remembers how dangerous they are if its not held solid when using the panel bit . geesh
Tim Mooney
You can do it. We can help you screw it up.
I never met a tool I didn't like!
I saw an episode a year or so ago where they were installing tongue and groove boards on a ceiling. They were attaching the boards to the ceiling with a finish nailer, just randomly shooting into the sheetrock every 10" or so...not taking any effort to find the joists or anything. Not even using any adhesive. I wonder if that ceiling ever came crashing down...
Probably did come crashing down and also crushed all the ridiculous MDF/arts and crafts crappy furniture that the show built as well.
Hee hee