voting for the dewalt top 17,stan
maybe i feel asleep,or just not paying attention. i just happened to see that voting has started on the top 17. been going on for 3 days so far .
so everyone get over there and get registared and lets get to voting on our favorite project.
of course i might be a little prejudiced on stans stairs……………………………www.dewalt.com/top17
anyone hitting this and posting over at quittin time might remind everyone whats going on.
if a man speaks in the forest,and there’s not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
Replies
alwaysoverbudget: hey...I appreciate your vote very much. I will keep repeating this same theme I am sticking to religously,.....I am asking everyone to get as many people to the DeWalt site which is http://www.dewalt.com/top17 and have them view all 17 projects...then vote up to 3 times a day for the project that they feel best exemplifies the one for Top Trim Carpenter. I am running this campaign for DeWalt and all 17 of us finalists....then let the voters decide.
Stan
Nice work on your project, it has my votes. Oops, I did vote for one of the others, when I clicked to see their project, and the pop-up window thanked me for my vote! Anyway, yours is heads-up my favorite. Nice to see you up there on the leader board.View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product” – Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
That is what happened to me! One for Jason and all the rest for SF. Us rotorheads got to stick together.
For those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
Who did Joe the Plumber vote for?View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product” – Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
I've been voting like crazy and have my family voting too. I see 6 blades vs 4. Which I feel is lame. Here is a comment my father in law (not in the trades, but been around them for decades) said to me this morning:
He really is an artist. He must have a pick-up load of clamps! He obviously has developed his method over lots of experience. It sometimes pays to specialize until you get it right, which he cetrainly has done. I like the simplicity of his shops and tools, too.
Being a guy, I love curvacious thingies. Stan's work gets my votes. He's going to have to build a heftier 'copter to lift and move his creations. It would be easier and more fun than a trailer in the mud....The unspoken word is capital. We can invest it or we can squander it. -Mark Twain...Be kind to your children....they will choose your nursing home....aim low boys, they're ridin' shetland ponies !!
Stan, is it just me or is Dewalts contest 17 site hard to navigate? The fact that all your faces come up in different order each time makes it hard to track which persons project you just viewed. As for the guys here that want to track the voting they should look for the "leader board"
I also what to echo everyone here & say great job all around, even well before this contest, your projects have always been a pleasure to see & follow.
Best of luck to you,
Paul No one should regard themselve as "God's gift to man." But rather a mere man whos gifts are from God.
Stan, is it just me or is Dewalts contest 17 site hard to navigate?
I clicked on one thumbnail to view the project...and I got a "thank you for your vote" pop-up! Very poorly presented competition webpage.View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product” – Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
As I wrote in the Photo Gallery thread I found the Dewalt Top 17 web site hard to navigate too. And I still haven't figured out how to see the polling results. :-) Maybe the voting isn't showing up for me because of some security setting I have. Also, once I logged in, I got a different screen for the leader board.
I figure the reason the faces come up in random order is they wanted to make sure they didn't give anyone any kind of precedence so as to slant the voting. One way that could have been managed and still retain the randomness is to make it so each time a link (face) was clicked on the face was grayed out for the current session, or similar. You would think that if they want to attract top craftsman they would at least use middle grade web designers....
Anyway, I looked around as best I could. My impression is that Stan's project is by far and away more complex, skilled, etc, etc than 90% of the competitors. After that, it might be as Stan says - networking is the key. An unfortunate fact of life is that life is a popularity contest.
I'd say that someone who is not "in the business" may have no idea of how complex one project is in comparison to another.
'snot just you!
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I got two other members of my family involved now.
Just so's y'all know, it is possible for other people to register and vote from the same ISP account, using their individual screen names.
That's the biggest flaw with the way Dewalt implemented the voting. I can actually register with a fake address and vote immediately. I can register 50 times with fake addresses and cast 150 votes each day if I wanted to. They should have implemented a verification of addresses before allowing someone to vote.
Good for Stan for asking that only legitimate voters cast a vote....but who knows what the other guys are doing.
On another note, I think the contest entry rules state that the will be one winner and that the other 16 will be runner-ups. It goes on to say that the runner-ups get to keep the tools they received. That's a good deal for the few who did not complete their project...
http://www.dewalt.com/us/top17/top17Rules.html
"The Winner will be announced on the Website on or about December 15, 2008. Each remaining Contestant will be deemed a “Runner-Up.”
"Each Runner-Up will be entitled to keep the Tools he or she received during the Contest. "
Hey guys, give stan all your email addresses and let him vote for you, simple and you don't have to remember!
Yes! Then send me all your checkbooks and I'll balance 'em for ya...for a small fee, yet to be detemined.
Stan, you should win with your project.
How many days of voting left?
JMadsen: I missed your question. Voting is till 5 p.m. EDT on Dec 14th.
Another comment I saw about the others not getting any votes. 15 of them now have one saw blade. I have no idea how many votes each saw blade means...but I would guess somewhere between 1-5 hundred. I know from this forum and the other forum I hang out at,..and my friends...that over 100 votes have been sent my way..since I received my 2nd saw blade. So...that tells me there is more than 100 votes per blade.
If anyone want to know where I spend most of my time at..its with my rotor buddies at http://www.rotaryforum.com. Come and log in and join the group. Its a diverse bunch of fine people just like here.
Ok....keep sending friends to http://www.dewalt.com/top17 so they can vote for their favorite.
Stan
Got mine in for the morning.
Bump/ vote.
3 more
bump
Stan, your work, dedication and professionalism is unsurpassed no matter what the outcome of the contest. Just a FYI you have all 3 of my votes everyday!
what happen to the site,maybe it's me,but all i can do is click on the face pics,it takes me no where.
anyone else hitting this.larryif a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
Works OK for me. If still problems, try rebooting your computer.
OK - I did my daily voting.
To me though, just the fact that they allow you to vote 3 times and everyday kinda brings into suspicion if this is really a talent search or a popularity contest...
I may have to go back and reread, but I swear I read the rules and it said there-one vote/day.
edit: Here it is. Strange. Each user will be entitled to vote one (1) time per day during the Consumer Voting Period.
Change of thought after the fact.
VOTE FOR STAN http://www.dewalt.com/us/top17/
A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Edited 12/3/2008 7:22 am ET by calvin
Edited 12/3/2008 7:27 am ET by calvin
That is what the rules say.
I will repeat my little networking effort that is paying off for me. I am asking anyone and everyone to go to the site at http://www.dewalt.com/top17 and vote for your favorite project. If you dont want the hastle of voting everyday....and you have chosen my project....I will be of course glad to do the voting for you! Kindly send me your e-mail address to me at [email protected] along with your permission to send in your votes, I promise to then maximize your voting wishes and you wont have to lift one more finger!
Thanks a lot for the awesome comments here.,..by e-mail and by phone call that I am receiving. My way of going at lifes challenges in an ethical way is further being reinforced by the comments I am receiving from all you fine people. I will never forget them and I hope I never stray from the right path.
Stan
My vote and email address is yours. Have you considered posting this at JLC?
"My vote and email address is yours. Have you considered posting this at JLC?"it's been posted at the jlc finish forum, but it's a good idea to go there and refresh it.
Styan, did you optimise my vote today? I just popped on the site and I had 3 votes.
Bump
Ba Da Bump!
Stan the man now has 4 blades.
He's got four, but the kitchen guy is still leading with 5.
Pour it on folks!
VOTE NOW
http://www.dewalt.com/us/top17/A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
GO STAN, GO!!!
View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product” – Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
I read all these this morning and got a tear as I was rereading them to my wife.
I really believe with your help...we can get our stairway in the lead! I will never forget the help here and on my rotaryforum site. You people are awesome!
So...please go to http://www.dewalt.com/top17 and voter for the project you feel best exemplifies a finish carpenter.
Again...if anyone doesnt want to hastle with voting...and you have chosen my project...please send an e-mail to me at [email protected] and I will do the rest. This list alone is overwhelming...takes me an hour to enter all these votes...but they are legit votes all backed with e-mails telling me to enter their vote for me.
God bless all you people...I sure am being blessed no matter how this turns out.
Stan Foster curved stair entry
I've reviewed all of the projects and I've been voting for you. I haven't been active in this thread, but I wanted you to know that you've probably been getting a lot of "quiet" votes.
Why did I vote for you? The complexity of your work, the thorough documentation and good pictures.
Why might I vote for the kid's kitchen set? It's really, really cute. It might be the kind of thing that a lot of voters think or wish they could make.
Imagine how all of the other craftsman must feel to see their projects being practically ignored while a child's play set is running away with the prize.
So, popularity contest or craftsmanship contest, best of luck.
http://www.dewalt.com/us/top17/
I cannot believe it. The competition (playkitchen) has 7 saw blades. It'd be nice to know what a blade equals. With his project and the quality and the quality of the other work, how can this be?
Keep voting for Stan!A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Im seeing 5 for him and 4 for stan, you scared me with that seven.
My heart skipped a beat also! He will of course get 7 blades...its the one with the most blades at the end...and the most teeth on the last blade if tied with the same number!
Keep sending everyone to http://www.dewalt.com/top and have them vote for their favorite!
If you dont want the hastle of voting...and you tell me to vote for my stairways for you....send me an e-mail saying so to [email protected] and I promise I will max out your votes! Oh...if you are already registerd...I will need your password.
I would rather of course have anyone wanting my project to win..to do the voting themselves as I am overwhelmed with responses. But it is fun entering votes all backed up with permission for me to do so!
Stan
Stan
Stan, it might have been early but I'm sure I counted 7. Surprised I was. I've had all sorts of timeouts etc on that site. I just went back and you two are right-5 it is. Sorry for the alarm, but that is no smooth operating thing they got going-at least not on this computer.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
I give up (looking, not voting). If I go via QT with the same link I post here-7 comes up. Same link used here-5.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
And just to show the true metal of the man, as far as I saw he never said "vote for me", he just said vote for whichever project you thing is best....
"he just said vote for whichever project you thing is best.... "
As if there were any doubt!
Obviously, a toy kitchen! ;-(
Seriously, if that toy kitchen wins, I'll never forgive us for not getting this job done, and done right. Hey, our collective pride is at stake!
VOTE!
Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA
There's something fishy about this guy Mike he had an early lead of two saw blades.
Then no movement at all, Stan moved up slowly and then tied him,next day he's up two saw blades.Right now, Stan is again moving up slowly and no movement for Mike.
I'd be willing to bet that when Stan ties him his saw blades will jump by two by the next day.
I think he's got some kind of automated voting thing going on and the Dewalt web site can't handle it.
Every time I vote for Stan I have to work at it.Some times it won't let me, other times when I click Stan's vote for me button some one else's picture pops up and I have to back out and reopen the site.
Vince Carbone
Riverside Builders
Franklin,NY
Edited 12/4/2008 8:26 am ET by VinceCarbone
I noticed the same thing.
Waiting for the next "jump" to happen.
heres what i'm finding out with it taking my votes.
if i go in hit stans,vote,it takes,then if i hit leaderboard,it says i have 2 votes left. sometimes it won't take the votes,i have sat there and hit it 50 times,hoping maybe it's registaring 50 votes[ha ha]but it will not show me i have 1 more or zero votes.
now if i click on stan,go to his project ,vote,click back to his project,vote it takes it with no problem,same on third vote.
we don't know it but mike is a IT engineer,he just loads a bulk vote and makes the magic happen.............................
are there any hackers here on bt???lol
if a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
Edited 12/4/2008 9:05 am by alwaysoverbudget
After you vote once, log off the site and then sign back in to vote again. Ditto for vote #3 ('cause you ARE voting 3X, right?) Otherwise, the votes don't register. At least that's how its workin' for me.
Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA
bump
Stan, Stan he's the man, 'cause mike doesn't deserve to winLOL
m/ (>.<) m/http://www.cocoboloboy.co.nr
Mike, after you vote the first time-try refresh-it appears to vote the second time. Refresh again-says all three are cast.
And please-VOTE NOW and everday till DEC 14th!A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Thanks everyone for your continued and ever increasing support!
I am expecting my 5th blade tomorrow...and I would guess Mike will be receiving his 6th blade soon. By my simple calculations...if I get my 5th fairly close to when Mike receives his 6th blade...then I am gaining and am very optimistic about this race. If I get my 5th blade somewhat later than Mike gets his 6th.....then I feel I am holding my own...and still optimistic.
If however he jumps up two blades again real quick...then I concur with some recent coments in this thread.
Keep sending as many as you can to http://www.dewalt.com/top17 and have everyone look at all of our 17 projects...then vote for the one that they feel best defines something a top finish carpenter would make.
Thanks again and I will never forget the help coming towards me.
Stan
Stan, oddly all day that 7 reappeared for me. I sent the link from that screen to Heck and Jhole-they saw 5. When I returned home tonight-refreshed the screen and now it's back to 5.
How in the heck could mine show something that was never (shouldn't have been) there? Further proving the dumb carpenter part.
Outside of the navigation chore-It's one suspect operation........
that we are all pulling for you to win.
Best of luck once again.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
you ain't aloneI was seeing 7 this morning seems to be back to five for now
Barry E-Remodeler
Thank you jeezus.
I had begun to think that I was off my rocker.
So, any thoughts?
sunspots?
A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
got me, I'm on firefox. every time i voted and went back to the leaderboard they were still theremaybe dewalt saw something funny...maybe they are trying to develop more buzz or maybe a glitch in their computer program. could be all three. <g>seems to be a few bugs on that site
Barry E-Remodeler
What amazed me, and you might have read it already-I sent a link to two other people of the screen I was viewing (7 blades)-they saw 5. I refreshed that screen-still 7. They thought I was seeing things-which I guess I was.
This was like a UFO.
See you in Roswell.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
yeah, that's why I wondered if different browsers were involvedhoped something was screwy when he jumped 2 blades overnight
Barry E-Remodeler
IE via AOL.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
I saw the 7 blades this morning too.Safari on a Mac.
Please keep going to http://www.dewalt.com/top17 and vote for the one that best defines Top Finish Carpenter.
Stan
The site only let me cast two votes this morning. They owe you one Stan.
Awesome, awesome work, Best In Show!!!Constructing in metric...
every inch of the way.
Thanks everyone for the continued support! I see Mike has his 6th blade....so if I can get my 5th one sometime today...I am staying with him, which leaves me nothing but optimistic. I will keep pressin on with my miniscule networking ways and let my stairway do the climbing for me.
Send as many as you can to http://www.dewalt.com/top17 and have them vote for the project that they feel best defines the work of a finish carpenter that should win this whole thing.
Stan
A truly talented craftsman Stan, that you are!
You're getting about 90 votes a day from me and friends & coworkers
seems i'm locked out this am,i hope they let me vote by this evening,or i'm taking all my yellow stuff back.if a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
3 a day for you every day. I'm better with casting votes for you than taking a vitamin every day. Looks like you got your 5th blade.
Guys: I am out of town and just logged on in a Best Buy store! I received my 5th blade not much after Mike received his 6th. I am definately closing in on him. With your continued help here...and now that DeWalt is advertising this contest all over, I would hope a project like Brad McFarlands, Jim Butz, Doc Hollidays, and yes. or mine would move to the front. Those guys I mentioned are definately better examples of what I feel a true top[ finish carpenter is capable of.
Keep looking over all the fine examples of finish carpentry at http://www.dewaslt.com/top17 and vote for the project/person that you feel best exemplifies as top finish carpenter.
Stan dual curved stairway project.
Stan,
Seemed to not let me vote this morning and when I went on tonight, said I only had two votes! Another 45 minutes and I can vote again!Either way there sure is a lot of support here in this community.-Paul
Stan -you have received three votes from me from the start. I will keep it up - don't know why my password didn't work for you.
Mac
In ten days we will know who received the most votes and wins this whole thing.
I am tirelessly repeating everyone to go to http://www.dewalt.com/top17 and check out the several that I can see worthy of winning this thing....then vote for that one you think deserves it!
Stan
Not matter who gets the votes, craftsmanship wise you've got the lot of 'em beat, your one project to their 16. Some of that stuff . . . an aluminum fireplace? Please.
Real trucks dont have sparkplugs
Bump
Mike....Thanks so much for the e-mail you sent me....I really appreciated that!
All others.....anyone entering votes for me from other e-mail accounts....PLEASE MAKE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN that you have the express permission to do so. I do not want any votes any other way. Do not just be entering e-mail addresses and voting with them.
I received one e-mail from a party whose e-mail address was used without his permission....this is not right and I dont appreciate any help like this done with too much zest. I want each and every vote legitimate.
Thank you Stan Foster
Thanks...and keep sending everyone to http://www.dewalt.com/top17
Just put in my daily 3.
Vote for Stan for President !Just kidding - I placed my three votes for you Stan
Voted again this morning......sorry about the train wreck over at the Knots Forum. Had I know things would go so goofy over there, I would not have bothered. Some people are strung tighter than others.Whew,Brian
train wreck? What happened over there?
The "Contests are for Horses/DeWalt bites" faction got all riled up. It weren't pretty.
jeesh - some people have too much time on their hands.
I generally stay away from Knots nowadays. Those guys get riled up over everything. There are some massive egos and the dogma that goes with them.I've been voting my three for Stan every day...- KitTechnique is proof of your seriousness. - Wallace Stevens
I used to frequent knots as well, don't visit much anymore, a little to uptight for me.
Besides, how many which tablesaw should I buy threads can one possibly read.
Well, there is the "Weed Bowl" thread... that sounds interesting. ;o)
"Besides, how many which tablesaw should I buy threads can one possibly read."ROAR! LOL
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Kit,That is too bad. I guess the recent shake up here at BT shows we are not devoid of flame wars and all that drivel either. At least most of that stuff has been in the Tavern (now Fern Bar). <g>Over at knots it seems doubly ironic that the thread for Stan turned negative. The thread was to ask for support for craftsmanship and it was from a new poster (me). It would not take too much restraint to ignore a thread like that if it were not your thing, given the circumstances.Oh well,Cheers,Brian
Sorry about your run in with Dgreen.
I lurk over there a lot and while he is a skilled
woodworker his social skills are a little weak! Just a guess, but regardless of his temper tantrum several
people over there will support Stan.
I received a disturbing e-mail from I guess is a regular over at Knots. I never have visited that site until this morning. Anyway...I received an e-mail from him informing me that his address was used without his permission for voting. I assume the vote was zealously entered for my project..I am not sure. But...this upset me a lot...I e-mailed him back a couple of times stating this takes the sparkle out of this contest. I would rather place last with all clean votes..than win this thing with one dirty vote.
I informed him I am personally calling a top official in this contest at DeWalt Monday morning...and have them remove all votes that were entered from this gentlemans e-mail address that were sent to my project. I dont want and I dont deserve any unclean votes. This person has a bad taste in his mouth about the contest and doesnt want to vote. I asked he go and basically vote for one of the others projects.
I dont think its possible at all to keep the voting for any of us 17 absolutely flawless......but I would guess that whoever wins will have many more abundant votes to clean up any that were voted uncleanly for them.
Ita HORSE race for sure. Again...please go to http://www.dewalt.com/top17 and look over the projects. I see several that are worthy of winning the title ....Top Finish Carpenter. Just vote for the one that is your favorite.
Stan Foster dual curved stairway entry
Edited 12/6/2008 8:27 am ET by StanFoster
The upset fellow is known as a difficult person. He has been given time outs in the past for verbally abusing people and generally
causing trouble.
You ended up in the middle of an old feud between him and another,
I wouldn't give it another thought. You did nothing wrong and your
project deserves support from those with eyes to see. Besides, he'll be back to deriding people and giving long lectures
on "Proper" table saw safety before you know it.
this looks more like Franken & Coleman every dayMike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
I read that thread started by Basswood. At some point, one of the knots members starts complaining about someone hijacking his email to cast votes. Some threads have been deleted so it's not clear how he found this out. I have voted, my wife has voted, my daughters have voted, and not one of us have received anything from Dewalt that would indicate that a vote was cast using our address. I don't know how this knots user would know that a vote was cast with his address other than someone else admitting to it in one of the deleted posts. Or maybe he's making it up. From the tone and the comments made in some of the subsequent threads, it looked to me like there was no hijack but rather someone saying "hey, i just used your email address to cast a vote" when i fact the comment was just made to pull his chain.
Regarless of the soap opera happening there, it's too bad that the contest voting is flawed in many ways and that true craftsmen are being ignored. Sawdustshoppe has a nice project and so do some of the others. The play kitchen is a well made project but certainly not on par with some of the others, especially Stan's.
Stan, if it's any consolation, I'll start my own contest. I'll invite you and any others who want to come to my house for a finishing contest. You can do my stairs, someone else can finish my deck, maybe even a landscaper. The winner might get the same $4000 worth of tools that Dewalt is giving out :-)
chucky
DeeeGreeeen seems like a piece of work.I have a theory that some woodworkers are snobs to other woodworkers and some take snobby up a notch when dealing with us dumb carpenters.After that thread started going negative, I decided to introduce myself to Knots in another thread and posted a few pic of some woodworking I've done. I could be wrong, but some bullies just belittle others unless they prove that they are competent. Too little too late, even if it was a sound strategy.I posted similar threads at JLC (mixed results) and Contractors Talk (very positive response)...Knots was the worst. Guess they don't think too much of BT. It should be just about the carpentry (and Stan's not mine). Though there seems to be a correlation between how much of a "regular" the original poster is the tone of the tread in these various forums.Peace,Brian
Don't know if it would have made a difference, but Dgreen just found my intro thread and sorta gave me a compliment--guess I'm not a hack.What a relief.Actually, if anyone saw the job I'm doing repointing my foundation, they would know I'm a hack...good thing foundations get buried. <g>Cheers,Bass
Sorry that didn't go so well towards the end.
I had enough.
You did a good thing by spreading the word.
Beers on me.
You're no hack. I like ya ...even though you get me into trouble ;)
No worries.I'll have a Fat Tire Ale.Cheers,Bass
It would'nt have made a difference!
I do like seeing people who put extra thought and pride in their work. That custom knife was a nice touch. I've always been amazed at the skillset required to be a good finish carpenter.
Disagreeing with someone on a thread does not mean I think they are a hack.
................................................
Men will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest.~ Denis Diderot
Hello dgreen,My thought is that it would have been better for the thread to have been started by a Knots regular, rather than me. I think people are more circumspect with critiques when they know and respect the poster.That may only be a minor factor, just attempting to do the post-mortem.I do enjoy my work and sharing it. Gute Nacht,Bass
It might have made some difference but I suspect not. There is some truth to what another poster said about knots being contestophobic, I can't recall a single contest thread that did not generate a lot of controversy. On the bright side we did get to see Stans work and it prompted you to show some of yours.
One thing that is never contentious on knots is the enjoyment of looking at good work with the posible exception of Norm Abrams. The question of whether his work is good or bad is always guaranteed to fire things up!
As for your original purpose for starting the thread I suspect that the controversy did not hinder anyone who wished to participate in the contest.
A good night to you too sir.
................................................
Men will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest.~ Denis Diderot
I sure dont want to be the cause of any controversey....but I appreciate all the effort behind me trying to get my project to the top. I will never forget the help here and on a couple of other sites I frequent.
Next Sunday is the end of the voting...and I will push for as many people to go to http://www.dewalt.com/top17 and view all of our projects. Many are deserving to win this thing. You decide which one you think deserves it...then vote. You will also be entered to win some tools from DeWalt.
If my project is your favorite...and you dont want to go through the hastle of voting, please send me an e-mail to me at [email protected] stating your voting wishes and I will enter them for you. I have had a few requesting me to do this as they have had trouble voting. This is a horse race and every vote will make a difference.
Thanks
Stan dual curved stair entry
Voted for you Stan. Good Luck!
I went on and voted this am, with my and my (permission granted of course ),friends and relatives e-mails. See you are down 7-5. I will keep voting, but I am disgusted that it's even close......You've fought an admirable fight....Hope his computer crashes..:)
Bing- Thanks for the vote. Mike is a superb networker, and he just keeps bringing in the votes. However....I am timing this...if I get my 6th blade by 3 p.m CST today....I am gaining. If late today....then I am slipping behind.
I wont give up the effort to corral as many over to http://www.dewalt.com/top17 and vote for your favorite example of what a top finish carpenter would produce.
Stan
YOU'RE TIED FOR THE LEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!keep it up, it seems people have discovered that mike made boxes. This is awesome, you may still become the #1 finish carpenter in America.For the others here, YES every vote counts, keep voting ever day
m/ (>.<) m/http://www.cocoboloboy.co.nr
Stan
You've got my votes!
I liked Woody's analogy of the two front running projects-
Kindergarten finger painting vs. Van Gogh
Being a 'gear head' in my youth, my first analogy was-
A soap box racing crate vs. a restored 1966 GTO with all the goodies and lotsa guts
Keep up the good work.
Rich
Stan:
Just curious what kind of house is the one that got that stairway? $1.5 mil 7k sq ft? $60k trim budget excluding stairs? You wouldn't happen to have a pic of the front would you? A pic is worth.... Must be for someone that is crazy rich? Here, I don't even think you would see a stair like that in a million dollar house....
Matt: Its in a 1.5 million home.
Piffin: I want to thank you as well. and everyone! I am overwhelmed answering e-mail after e-mail after e-mail..from total strangers, that I have only time to quickly scan this site and a few others.
I am going to print up a journal of all these fine comments. The messages and tone of all the comments ring the same. Its just the vote count that doesnt. I would much rather hang on to 2nd place with these priceless comments than win with a bunch of mudpies being thrown at my project....that would be embarassing to me and to the profession of trim carpentry.
Come on and send everyone to http://www.dewalt.com/top17 and vote for Brad McFarland, Jim Butz, Doc Holliday or any other project that much better defines a top trim carpenter.
Stan
Hey Stan do you ever build really nice stairway going into a basement?Good luck with the contest
you're doing well, we need more votes, but I have found the "enemy"
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?p=986048#poststop
m/ (>.<) m/http://www.cocoboloboy.co.nr
It looks like this contest will come down between Mike and I. I am asking seriously everyone to gather as many people to go to http://www.dewalt.com/top17 and have them vote for which project best demonstrates top finish carpentry. I know it will be a hard choice...but they will just have to decide on their own...then vote for the one.
ANYONE....if you have chosen my project....and you dont want the hastle of voting....please send my your e-mail address giving me permission to turn your votes in for you. My e-mail address is [email protected]
I have been modest in this contest but I have studied the two leading projects seriously....and I feel its not even a choice. You just decide which one. ok...??? Thanks
I would appreciate anyone mentioning the above on any other forums you can.,..but highlight the fact that it looks like its down to Mike and I and have them decide which project deserves to win.
Stan Foster dual curved stair entry.
Just got my daily three in. It's nice to see some of the others getting off the
starting block.
I tried saving a direct link to vote:http://www.dewalt.com/us/top17/vote.aspx?projectID=109It saves me some clicking. As someone else noted, if you hit the refresh button twice, it posts all 3 of your votes.
I'm not in this world to live up to your expectations and you're not in this world to live up to mine. [Bruce Lee]
Stan your workmanship is unbelievable. I have voted for you every day, ok maybe I missed one day. all that being said the voting that is going on between your's and mike's project is laughable, there is no comparison. you have already won in my mind.also Stan someday when you get the chance it would be nice to read a narrative of your helicopter building such as the one you wrote about your stairbuilding story. got to go vote, thanks for your story. Fred.
Stan,
I know I'm not alone in not saying it out loud, but I do my daily thing, voting for Stan.Many others like me are surely voting for you.I'm like overbudget in that I can measure, check measurement and cut the opposite of what I wanted. I do make a lot of sawdust.This Mike, I don't understand people who would insult Dewalt's contest with his project.Pete
I too, am impressed with McFarland's work, but that darn Kiddie-kitchen is laughable . Fine for DIY novice work, but no real display of skills.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
When trying to vote for Stan with my wifes' e-mail address, it tells me I've already used my 3 votes today.
I have, but with my e-mail address. What gives? What am I doing wrong?
Help! , quick! buic
I went back & looked at Humpty Dumptys little kitchen set and something doesn't add up. He has such a outstanding lead for a project that is nothing more that 3 plywood boxes with shiny ornaments screwed to them. Take Stan's project out & you still have projects that blow away the little kitchen set, as a side note, In 25+ years in the trade & a lot of trim carpentry I still haven't had call for a plywood kitchen set.
The one point that really caught my eye when looking at Mike's kitchen set is in his project introduction on his entry, He states he is a"Woodworking Hobbyist" and his day job is in "Computers".
I think it would be fair to say that out of the professional tradesmen here on this site that we are well versed with our tools of the trade and get the most out of them. But when it comes to our computers & things of that nature we are all pretty much just "Hobbyist"
If you look at Stan's lead over all the other contestants you can see the consorted efforts by all of us, which is powerful,
This Mike guys lead over the field is so askew
You also have to look at the years of exposer & reputation for great work Stan has had here and other sites. This Mike guy did not get suddenly discovered on the Dewalt web site.
Ask yourself this, Where do you frequent, a manufacturers website or a website with a forum where you meet people & develop friendships.
I think the Dewalt 17 contest will be won by a "Computer Professional" not the best trim carpenter.
No one should regard themselve as "God's gift to man." But rather a mere man whos gifts are from God.
Did ya see see the unflush rail/stile joints on top of the doors?http://www.dewalt.com/top17ProjectImages/Mike/image/megan2-1.jpgThat wouldn't fly by Stan, I gareowntee.
Nice, & this guy is winning No one should regard themselve as "God's gift to man." But rather a mere man whos gifts are from God.
I wonder what the other (good) contestants that have only 2 saws blades are thinking right now ?
Probably that they'd have better spent their time auditioning for american idol!Now I sorta understand how the electoral college came about ...
As of 3:50 Central time Monday, trying to vote or view the leaderboard is resulting in a runtime error on their server...
5pm cst,still runtime error,maybe the ccomputer guy hacked the site.lolif a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
I'm getting that runtime error too, no matter how I try from what direction
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
me, too.
glad you posted....thot it was just my machine.
Run time error here as well.TFB (Bill)
Glad you guys posted.
Though I was kicked off ANOTHER site.
Gettin' used to it. :)
haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa haa!
We're all a little twitchy as of late, eh?
I have the same problem. After voting my email, I erase my cookies then close and reopen my browser and re-login. Also, I am still getting erroneous messages when the "v" in the voting link comes up lower case instead of upper case "V". I have to change that in the address bar and then i can just refresh twice to get in my 3 votes.crazy site.
Thanks, I'll eat the cookies and try again!
--"There is some truth to what another poster said about knots being contestophobic, I can't recall a single contest thread that did not generate a lot of controversy."If you don't like contests... don't have one. :o{
And then there is always that - STFU thing. :)
Ah Yes... The Southern Tenant Farmers Union. <g>
Good save.
Any computer experts have any idea whats wrong with the server? I will reveal a little bit that I can. One of the major contestants has dropped out of this contest early this afternoon with a call to Dewalt. I am sure it is a coincidence that the server went down soon after....or was it? He even said he would send all the tools back. He let it be known why...but I dont feel comfortable saying what it is. It was nice he called me and revealed his feelings. I totally respect his decision.
Stan
Edited 12/8/2008 7:56 pm ET by StanFoster
Edited 12/8/2008 7:57 pm ET by StanFoster
The ASP error i get would indicate anything from a missing ASP page or an error in the code. Can only be fixed by the web master.
...and like I tell me daughters...NO SECRETS !!
So does that put you in first place or out of the running ?
Chucky- I dont have any secrets. Brad Mcfarland....the yellow shirt guy called DeWalt today and dropped out. He talked with me first and told me why,..,...thats the part I am not comfortable telling...but it had nothing to do with myself.
I dont know what is going on behind the scenes...but I can kind of guess. I assure you I am staying out of it....it aint worth getting all stunked up!
Hopefully we can all go in soon and resume voting.
Stan
Brad from "The Saw Dust Shoppe" quit ? That's really too bad. During the first few days, i voted for him, you, and another contestant simply because i wanted to be fair. But when the kitchen guy started leading, i had to cast all my votes for you.
It's really unfortunate that some good carpenters are getting so few votes because of the way Dewalt has decided to judge this contest. I would be really insulted in their place. I'm just surprised it took so long for someone to withdraw.
Dewalt should have enforced accounts to be verified before allowing a vote and they should have only allowed one vote per account. Ideally, it should have been a judged contest.
seems like the site is back up,but it ate my 3 votes.i'm ticked. stan does have six blades now.if a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
Yes, six for stan to seven for the kitchen gadget wonder.Brad's is still there on the leaderboard.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
113667.42 in reply to 113667.41
In the last day or so I have spent considerable time looking up what info I can find on Stan. I have exchanged some e-mails with him and after all of this I am convinced he is a great guy not to mention a skilled craftsman. I have also looked into the contest and his only real as far as the contest is concerned competitor.
I have learned that Stan is a big fan and daily user of Dewalt tools which reinforces my belief that it is the craftsman and not the tool that is important. I think Dewalt tools are barely useable yet Stan turns out beautiful work using them.
I have looked at his rotary wing sites and read a great many testimonials from a great number of people about not only his character but also his workmanship.
If I considered this contest legitimate I would most likely vote for Stan, (there are some other talented people entered too).
The other leader has also as far as I can tell run a clean competition. He has urged people to vote for the project of their choice. I can't see how given the terms of the contest he could even be considered but the fact is he was.
This reinforces my belief that this is a poorly thought out BS contest by a company I have no respect for.
The name calling ie. fat boy, donut eater etc. does Stan no favors, he has repeatedly called for people to vote on the merits of the project. The tactic of trying to humiliate people into voting as seen on other forums has also done Stan no favors. His work stands on it's own just fine and Stan has said repeatedly that he wants to win this cleanly.
In the same regard saying his competitors work is poorly built and falling apart does Stan no favor.
I wish the contest was legitimately run and fairly judged but it is not and I choose not to participate by voting.
I hope Stan wins the tools he wanted but I'm vastly more gratified that he has been receiving testimonials that he values more than the contest results.
I hope it continues to be a positive experience for him and I would ask that people refrain from unsportsmanlike behavior so that when he looks back on this no matter how it turns out he will have pride in how his friends supported him.
dgreen
................................................
Men will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest.~ Denis Diderot
dgreen- Thanks, you said what I wanted said. Name calling is terrible. My wife has seen me shake my head as several names has been called at my competitor,...thats not right.
I would drop out as well ....except I have a chance to make this contest end correctly...and I dont mean having my legitimate project win...but I mean having "a" legitimate project win.
I need your as many as possible to go to http://www.dewalt.com/top17 and vote for the legitmate project that best defines what a top trim carpenter does. So, I finally modified my request with one word...and I am serious.
Stan one of the several legitimate contenders
YOUR THERE! YOUR BOTH EVEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 7 blades each
ok, guys it's time to pour the votes on,lets goif a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
Bump....Looks like his voting faction is wearing out! Keep it going for Stan!
oh yeeeeaaaaaah!Naive but refreshing !
I voted for Stan a couple of minutes ago.They accepted the vote and told me I ONLY HAD ONE VOTE REMAININGSo I voted for Stan again and it told me I had no more votes remaining.What's up with that - it only let me vote twice?looks like this contest may be going down to the wire.
Same thing happened to me - sorta -- yesterday. I voted for Stan, and a notice came up that I had voted for someone else, and I had two votes left.
Fortunately, the other recipient was not The Kitchen Kid.
I'll be bummed if Stan loses by 1 vote, tho'. ;-(
Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA
It's been strange. Some days I get two votes and other days three. really glad to see Stan pull up even. Maybe it was a strategy to draft him and swing wide on turn four going into the home stretch, passing on the outside while the crowd roars...sorry, got carried away with myself...back to voting now...
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Guys- Please listen....I received a phone call from Mike the mini kitchen man. I need everyone to send as many as they can to http://www.dewalt.com/top17 and view and vote for their favorite.
WARNING- Mike told me he is going to unleash his biggest blitz of voting soon. I am expecting a huge jump in his sawblades.
However...I picked up my 7th blade in record time. This shows me my voting is exponentlially increasing.
We cant let a super networker ruin this contest for all involved.
Thanks so much for the effort. I cant tell you all how much I appreciate it. This is OUR race...and I will see to it that I will keep on promoting the 17 and not just ask for my votes.'
Stan
In Mikes post #9, he encourages everyone to vote as many times with as many accounts as they can. Is this the way the Dewalt people want people to vote. I can make up a whole bunch of accounts if so.http://familywoodworking.org/forums/showthread.php?t=11858
Edited 12/9/2008 5:57 pm ET by Dam_inspector
Dam_inspector......no its not right. I only want votes after first,,,,being chosen...and then only one vote per person. I dont want extra e-mail addresses used for the same person. I dont want your cat and dog voting for me either.
PLEASE--- God gave us all a built in ethics program and common sense. Please use this steering you all how to act.
I dont want overzealous voting...just one vote per personal e-mail.
I DONT WANT IT ANY OTHER WAY... and please let me know if any votes have been cast incorrectly in my favor. I will call DeWalt and have them removed.
I would rather lose this contest and hold my head high with fewer...but honestly earned votes , than have dirty voting putting me over the top. I dont care if they are correcting the unfair networking that is going on....
I want to play this game right.
Stan Foster....one of the several legitimate entries.
Stan
Edited 12/9/2008 6:14 pm ET by StanFoster
Edited 12/9/2008 6:15 pm ET by StanFoster
Edited 12/9/2008 6:17 pm ET by StanFoster
You have been getting my 3 and only 3 votes a day. Just curious about Mike telling everyone to vote with as many accounts as they can. I can't find the voting rules on Dewalt.com.
http://www.dewalt.com/us/top17/top17Rules.html
In those rules they call for one vote/day.
Even dewalt changed them and didn't post the change in the rules that each contestant registered under.
A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
I had to read that several times to see the rule on voting. So Mike is encouraging voter fraud according to the rules.
From Mike's post;
"Why not allen?? Every day - three times a day!!! As many accounts as you can."
I'm with Stan though.
Let him win if he has to cheat to do it.
I could tell you how to register an infinite amout of times, which means I could tell everyone here how to... but I aint gunna.
I'm voting for Stan the right way. I talked to him the other day. A phone call i'll probably never forget.
If you come to my house and demand my dignity or my tools you better bring a truck...
Karma's a bitch.
I am rallying the troops....Please get as many as you can to http://www.dewalt.com/top17 and view the projects,,then vote for YOUR favorite.
Thanks for considering all 17
Stan
voted at 6 am.... still even at 7 bladesMike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Ok I've voted my three everyday for Stan
I've begged my email list to vote for Stan
and I've introduced Stans work to the fishing world at the moo
Its time to push hard guys start calling in those favors
Stan - DeWalt website won't let me vote again. They say
"You have used all of your votes for today. Please come back tomorrow and try again."
This website is screwed up!
I'll keep trying.
Mac
I've gotten that a few times also. Try this link and then try to refresh several times. http://www.dewalt.com/us/top17/Vote.aspx?projectID=109If you are using Internet Explorer, use Ctrl-F5 several times for a complete refresh. Go Stan!
Thanks everyone for your awesome support! Please keep sending everyone to http://www.dewalt.com/top17 and look over all the fine projects, and vote for the one that defines YOUR definition of what Top Finish carpentry should look like.
Stan
Stan,
I've emailed this out to many of my email rings and posted it on about 10 different boards.
Hoping to push a head!
This crazy poll mechanism is weird, but I think it call comes down the last day!
Vote, people, vote!
Jin the club, I'm posting this on fishing boards, hunting boards and where ever else I can find
I had problems voting in the later morning hours. I have had success voting just after Midnight and just now had no problem at 0115.-Paul
This contest is winding down, its over at 5 p.m. est on Sunday.
It sure has been a horse race. Fortunately I have been gaining and I would like to pull ahead and stay there....but I will need as many here to help make this possible. I am campaigning for all 17 of us contestansts. I need as many new people sent to http://www.dewalt.com/top17 and look at all the projects. This is the only way I feel clean networking. I dont want to network just for my project..but for all of us. My project will have to say vote for me loud enough,..and if it doesnt...then the vote goes elsewheres where it belongs.
Thanks so much Breaktimers....its been a pleasure posting here for years. I have learned so much from this forum and have been trying to give back by my stair threads.....but now I am in debt to all the generous outpouring of compliments and rallying for my project. I just continue ask to keep the efforts clean and basically herd as many to the dewalt site as you can. All 17 projects will get an equal viewing by my method of networking for us 17 contestants and not just networking for Stan. It sounds fair to me...and I have had a good feeling doing it this way.
Thanks again
Stan Foster
Edited 12/11/2008 3:34 pm ET by StanFoster
I just had a really strange voting experience!I voted my first vote, then went back to Leaderboard again and with two votes remaining, I hung the cursor over your smiling face and pulled the lever again. But now it says I have used all my votes today! So their site has a real hard time counting and doing math if two minus one equals zero. I've never seen a goofier website that this one. It keeps me laughing.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
if professionals primarily, then stan wins hands down, bnut if we want to go after the much bigger slice of the market in DIY family guys with cute kids, I'd be making use of the guy with the cute kid and dummy up the ads around his lack of skills.
I think the DIY market is smarter than that. I can't see Mike's project inspiring that big a market segment. His pictures barely even show the use of dewalt tools. With a shop equipped like his is, he should be turning out some serious quality, not a couple of plain boxes.
Edited 12/11/2008 7:33 am ET by TomW
That is NOT Mikes shop. It is a "mentors" shop. He does woodworking for fun, so I admire him for that. I think he has no qualms about stealing a contest win by coercing people to violate the rules by voting with as many accounts per user as possible. Maybe he didn't understand the rules, as they are well hidden in the terms of the contest. I couldn't find them till Calvin pointed them out to me. And no, I only have one account.
I didn't see anything saying it was someone elses shop. The links in his post above certainly give the inpression it is his, and I know he personally owns the sawstop (info from a nutual aquaintance.) Even so, he barely used dewalt tools to construct a project so simple that even a diy woodworker could complete it in a weekend, not the several weeks allowed for the contest.
He definately represents that shop as his own here
http://mysite.verizon.net/resoh894/bloomingtonmikeswoodshop/
If he is claiming it to be a mentors shop than he is being less than honest somewhere.
Edited 12/11/2008 8:06 am ET by TomW
Very interesting. So the shop is his, I thought he said somewhere it was his mentors, but maybe not. Quite a shop for a hobbyist. I'm going to see if I can find what I thought I read.
Edited 12/11/2008 9:26 am ET by Dam_inspector
Stan,
I know you've been burning the oil at both ends (is that how the saying goes or did I royally screw that up?), and that you have posted the link in EVERYONE of your posts, but the link is wrong in you latest.
I already have the link, but I thought you would like to correct it in case a newbie comes in and only reads that one post!
Keep up the positive thoughts Stan, the public will realize who the true craftsman is!
Bump...put the sandwich down and vote during your lunch hour!
Three more votes for Stan
I agree with what stan said, look at all the projects and decide for yourself what is the best.
I'd like to take a minute and introduce mysef:
I'm Brad McFarland from Kettering, Ohio (Dayton), and yes, I am one of the contestants. I'm a fulltime Dad, raising my daughter on my own. I started my woodworking business 12 years. it allows me the freedom to be there for my Daughter. I love what I do and wouldn't change it for the world.
I'm not here to rally votes, althought it would be nice to get more. I'm here by way of stans invite and to support his views about the contest. There are alot of guys that worked very hard and did the best the could do. It's easy to sit back and critque others works but that's not what this is about. It's sad that this contest has a sour note, it takes away from the fun of it all. For me this is a way to showcases my skills and abilities, create some attention to my work and showoff a llitle. It has gernerated interest with the possibility of more jobs and new clients.
Because of this contest I met someone that I admire, not only as a craftsman, but as a person, Stan. We've talked a few times on the phone, I told him from the start his stairs were very impressive and his work is beautiful. We both agree there are far more talented individuals in this world, with superior skills to ours. Who doesn't want to win? but win the right way is the key.
I've never been in a chat group until this contest, never even thougth about the power of the internet other than emailing family, friends & clients. But now that I've been exposed, I see there is a wealth of information from experienced and skilled tradesman acrossed the board. Hopefully thisis a place i can gain knowledge and insight from all, and if I can share my limited knowledge as well.
Thank you,
Brad Mcfarland (the guy in the Yellow Shirt)
Vote DeWalt (for a non-stair Project)
(All in fun)
Dont listen to this clown Brad.
Just kidding of course. I have talked to Brad quite a bit on the phone...and if there is one thing , let me change that...2 things I have won out of this contest....they are an unbelievable pile of nice comments , e-mails and phone calls from all over, and 2. to have had the honor to get acquainted with Brad. He is in my book deserving to win this competition by simply displaying all areas that finish carpentry is all about. I think Brad add a very dynamic dimension to the group of 17. He is indeed a genuine gentleman, and our jabbing at each other is all kidding...except for me...he really is a clown act. ha
Everyone...voting is about over...go and consider Brads, Mikes..Doc Holliday, Jim Butz , mine and all the other projects at http://www.dewalt.com/top17 and give your favorite some votes.
Stan
Yes, but do you know what the hardest part of being a "Clown" is?
.........Tryin to be funnier than your Woodworking!
O.k. Stan, I know we agree on $10's a compliment, but i'm running out of money.
Snicker.........
Vote Yellowshirt guy!
Edited 12/13/2008 9:04 am ET by SawdustShoppe
Hey Brad, welcome!
There are a couple of projects in the contest that in my opinion are far above the rest, and yours is one of them.
Not only a great entry(pics, explanations, etc), but very, very nice work and design. (translated to mean I'm stealing ideas!)
It took me a few minutes to realize you had doubled the lower lit shelf, to hide the wiring between the layers. It also adds more rigidity to a wide shelf...something I've encountered in wider(30"+) shelves. In a few cases where I was concerned about the shelf sagging over time, I've used a decorative web under the shelf to stabilize it and hide the lighting...but I like your idea much better. For some designs I might still like the web, but the doubling is very clean.
Great work, and good luck!
I am an other who was impressed enough with your project to have voted for you a few times. Stick around here, You can help all of us learn and share the craft.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Hey, anybody hear Who won? Congrats (again) Stan.
Now i'm going to need some help figuring these groups out,......anyone? anyone?
has anyone built a guitar case? or Where do I go to find out about making Guitar Cases? Does anybody know how to make a simple, cheap hotwire cutter for styro foam.
THanks
Brad
Edited 12/17/2008 9:43 am ET by SawdustShoppe
Not to chase you away...but Knots is a great forum for the Fine Woodworkers...they sometimes are a little snooty, but overall a great group.
If you want to make sure you have the right tablesaw, that's the place to go.
Knots? is it on here (this site) or a totally different website?
It's here.http://forums.taunton.com/fw-knots/messages
Break Time is in suport of Fine Homebuilding while Knots is Fine Woodworking mag. There is a link (button) in the yellow bar .
Again welcome. BobFor those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
Make magazine had a good article on how to make a hot wire styrofoam cutter for cheap. You can see it here. Use the arrow buttons at the top of the page to flip from page to page, and click on a page to zoom in. The only thing special are the wire and the model train transformer.http://www.make-digital.com/make/vol16/?pg=118
Cool! that's it.....thanks.
just need to find the nickle chromium wire, anybody have some just laying around?
really that's going to work just fine.
brad
I'll bet Stainless Steel wire will work just fine. It's common with aircraft maintenance guys - three gauges as I remember. They use it as safety wire on all threaded nuts to keep them from backing off.Hey . . . ask STAN ! ! !Greg
"Where do I go to find out about making Guitar Cases?"
You might also wanna drop by the Musical Instrument Maker's Forum: MIMF.com
BUT . . . making a guitar case is something few really wanna do, since homemade ones tend to be on the (very) heavy side and not particulary sturdy when compared to the molded ones.
Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA
Also look here: http://www.instructables.com/id/Hot-wire-foam-cutter/
Edited 12/17/2008 11:08 am ET by MikeHennessy
Never mind my comments in the tavern, I was drunk then!!
Stan
don't know if/where you posted this, but this was your video as a thanks to all http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCzuQRHjuTI
m/ (>.<) m/http://www.cocoboloboy.co.nr
Stan,My Daughter thought you may need some help with all those new tools.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMR9K408eboLOL
Brad
That's funny! See all the fun you've been missing over here!
Dewalt drill, not so good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUbgkdhDsK8&feature=related
Dewalt drill gets blown up, but lives.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-djdG5Tcv40&feature=related
Brad,
With a kid like that, it appears you already won the really important "contest"! Nice.
Merry Christmas and a good New Year to you both...pete
Your daughter is a real comedian, and a good shop worker!
thats great! you might play the sympathy card and have her hand saw some boards,talk about how she really needed some new tools...........
stans always catching slack for not having his door trimmed in his shop. could you have your daughter take a look at that and submit him a bid! looks like she can handle the job just fine. :]
YOU ONLY NEED TWO TOOLS IN LIFE - WD-40 AND DUCT TAPE. IF IT DOESN'TMOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40. IF IT SHOULDN'T MOVE AND DOES, USE THEDUCT TAPE.
Boss Hog visited my stairshop yesterday....and I Proudly pointed to my famoust uncased door openings. I told him when I get caught up ...I will trim them....ha
Brad----If Makayla had entered the DeWalt contest...I wouldhave finally had some serious competition......<G>......
Thanks for taking the time to make that video...Mikayla looks like a natural...
Stan
It was nice to finally get to see your shop. I hope I can come back when there's a set of stairs there that I can check out.
Stan, your one Hell of a guy!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGDW43te9HQThank you so very much!Brad and Mikayla
Wow.
Have a great time.Remodeling Contractor just on the other side of the Glass City
thats so cool,i'll be watching for you guys on tv.merry christamas
brad i'm going to see if i can get this in a new thread ,this ones kinda old?some may think were still talking about the contest.
everyone needs to see your daughter tearing thru that empty stocking.thats great! larry
YOU ONLY NEED TWO TOOLS IN LIFE - WD-40 AND DUCT TAPE. IF IT DOESN'TMOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40. IF IT SHOULDN'T MOVE AND DOES, USE THEDUCT TAPE.
Edited 12/25/2008 2:14 pm by alwaysoverbudget
Always over budget.....that would be cool to start a new thread. There is a LOT more to tell about this gesture I made towards Brad and his daughter Mikalyla. Its almost scary....It will be a long thread...and I will tear up a lot while typing it.,..but the way this played out feels like it was out of my hands. I will let you all decide... I will check back when I have time to type it....Merry CHRISTmas everyone....
Stan
Well I'm looking to cut cost, I agree homemade cases can be big and bulky, but I've seen some that are pretty nice.
the second thought was to buy the molded plastic type, gut the inside then make custom foam forms and linings to fit my guitars.
But I'd really liek to offer a case with every guitar I build.
brad
at the middle/top on the left side,hit post new.just go in here and start a new topic about guitars maybe under the general topic or const. topic. it's amazing the range of intrest around here. i even hear theres a guy with a helicopter in his garage. :]YOU ONLY NEED TWO TOOLS IN LIFE - WD-40 AND DUCT TAPE. IF IT DOESN'TMOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40. IF IT SHOULDN'T MOVE AND DOES, USE THEDUCT TAPE.
hmmmm? don't see that.
Ido see start new discussion though.
Hi Brad, you are in the basic mode, the advanced mode says post new. They are the same function, advanced allows you to post in html. You change from one to the other by going to the bottom of the right side where you are reading this.
BobFor those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
hmm? I'm in advanced mode now......don't know i know the difference.
Stainless steel wire? i'm not sure that will work. I had a thought, I saw an $8.00 toaster at Meijers, I wonder if i could snag the wire out of it, anyony know?
I have a variable power supply already.
Oh........ and thanks for all the help guys
Brad
There are some more options available in advanced. You can arrange it in threads and post some things differently.
As to wire for cutter I would guess wire with greater resistance would be best. I have at least two sizes of the stainless steel safety wire. I am sure you can find it but if not you can e-mail me and I will send you some off the roll. I was in aircraft maint for many years.For those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
brad, i can't find a way to get you over to the other thread, so i'll link you from here. click on this and lets try it. 114410.1
sorry i misspelled Mikayla's name after i did it i can't find a way to edit it ,this whole internet thing is still a mystery to me..........YOU ONLY NEED TWO TOOLS IN LIFE - WD-40 AND DUCT TAPE. IF IT DOESN'TMOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40. IF IT SHOULDN'T MOVE AND DOES, USE THEDUCT TAPE.
ok
Ijust tried that link, there's nothing there
?/? i'm confused
I'll bet it's because you don't have tavern access, it was moved there.
You recent registration date of Dec 13 pretty much confirms that and any new tavern access requests have been suspended.
I was surprised it got moved out of General Discussion moments after Larry posted it. It belongs out in the open for everyone to see IMO
did you reset your page the other day to advanced view? it's at the bottom of the page,it will say basic,or advanced, actually if your in advanced mode it will ask you if you want basic.
next when you come on bt running down the list of subjects on the left side of page,the last catagory is "woodshed tavern" i orig posted this in general but it got moved to tavern. let me know if you don't see the tavern and we'll figure it out from there.
if you can get into the tavern look for the thread titled stan ,brad and mikayla have a date. thats where you need to be.
i clicked on that link above in my last post to try it and it worked?
let me know if you get to it,somehow we got to,stan made a post you need to see.larryYOU ONLY NEED TWO TOOLS IN LIFE - WD-40 AND DUCT TAPE. IF IT DOESN'TMOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40. IF IT SHOULDN'T MOVE AND DOES, USE THEDUCT TAPE.
if we can't get ya to it i'll just paste it here.my understanding is that everyone is now open to the tavern???????YOU ONLY NEED TWO TOOLS IN LIFE - WD-40 AND DUCT TAPE. IF IT DOESN'TMOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40. IF IT SHOULDN'T MOVE AND DOES, USE THEDUCT TAPE.
I'm in advance mode, no don't see "woodshed Tavrn" in left panel.
searched for it, just found people wanting access to it?
i don't get why / what's happening?
rbad
Brad- The thread got continued in the tavern section....and basically I went in there and continued my story of how you contacted me first during the contest...then my first response to you was telling you all about my son Jeff being sick...and the best Christmas I had ever given him after he became well again. I thought it was destiny that if I won the DeWalt contest...that I felt you two would end up with me at the Daytona 500 race. You will have to go to the tavern and read it. It took me a long time to type it.
Merry Christmas to you and Mikayla....and thanks for causing such a warm feeling in me all day. Its worth more than any pile of any brand of tools..
Stan
well thers a lot of guys that can explain this better than me,but i'll try and give short version.
used to be guys would get on here and talk politics and get pretty heavy with it, so tauntum set up the taveren and you had to requset to get in there,that way no one would be offended.
so during the elction things got out of hand and the booted alot of the guys out for getting carried away. now most of them are back. at first they weren't going to let any newbies back in,but last i heard they was going to open it wide up sp everyone could get in,but maybe not. i'm going to try and bcopy the post that are over there for now. and we'll see what happens i have put in a request for them to move it back to the general. if i knew there were going to stick it in the tavern i wouldn't of started a new thread.YOU ONLY NEED TWO TOOLS IN LIFE - WD-40 AND DUCT TAPE. IF IT DOESN'TMOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40. IF IT SHOULDN'T MOVE AND DOES, USE THEDUCT TAPE.
Y'all got me confused now.
Is there some secret place to go called the tavern? and somebody has t ogive you access to ge there? why not just start a new chat thread thing.
the more difficult this is the less interesting it gets
brad
Brad- I know its confusing you now...but eventually you will see the whole picture. The thread got restarted as a kind gesture because the topic was the contest...and now this is kind of taking on a new life of its own...so it was moved to the tavern.
You will eventually read a lot of good stuff...and you are right in the mix of it all like you should be!
Stan
Ok......
......there's more to it then just this. but it's getting late, and I'm wiped out.
I hope all had a "Happy QanzaChristmahanuka" (politcally correct?)
I'm out for the night.
And Stan, You really displayed the true meaning of christmas. Sharing this with us means more than you'll ever really know! and somehow thank you just doesn't say enough.
Ok......there's more.......just have to wait til morning.
brad
It's morning and we're all waiting!
No, I ‘m not going to give up, it’s just confusing, I’ll get it here sooner or later.
<!----><!----> <!---->
Before you continue reading, know this, I’m a big believer in Karma and have very little, if any, use for sympathy. What you’re going to read is factual and true even played down a little.
<!----> <!---->
A little background, I am a fulltime, single dad, raising my daughter on my own since she was 14 months old. Her mother has had very little, if any, involvement in her life. Here’s the story in a nutshell and for the ease of following along I will refer to mother as a “Banana Slug”. Yes I know that’s not fair………….to banana slugs, but “*@#%!&#$ ” won’t be appropriate for this forum.
<!----> <!---->
Shortly after my daughter was born, the banana slug started having relations with the youth minister of our church, which of course everybody at our church but me knew. He was soon relocated to another church in <!----><!----><!---->Texas<!----><!---->, she up and ran-off with him. I was informed of this by way of mail, and confirmed by her absence. No way to contact her, and her mother, Grandma Slug, just played stupid to the whole thing. After a while we moved from Fl. to <!----><!---->Ohio<!----><!----> where I have family. After 6 months here I’m subpoenaed to appear in family court, In Florida. Yep, she’s in <!----><!---->Texas<!----><!---->, I’m in <!----><!---->Ohio<!----><!----> and we have to fight for custody in <!----><!---->Florida<!----><!---->, Go figure! Long story short, 2 years, a bunch of trips to appear in court in FL and back, $26,000 in attorney fees, an 8 hour physiological evaluation, 7 motions and 1 appeal (by the slug), I was awarded custody of my daughter. During which time the Slug was pregnant with her 2nd son. Yes she had her first son in the middle of all this. Needless to say it was a very difficult time.
<!----> <!---->
So, cut to the present. She’s now 12 and adjusting pretty well. In all this time the slug hardly ever wrote or even sent anything for birthdays or Christmas. As of present, she has left her other 2 boys with their dad (the youth minister) in <!----><!---->Texas<!----><!---->, and currently is engaged to her next victim, a man in <!----><!---->Virginia<!----><!---->.
<!----> <!---->
In all this time, I have been, for the most part, single. I had 2 short relationships, both cheated and both were gone. The really tough part was that my daughter got sort of attached to them. It was very difficult for her to understand and except, so I just decided to stay single until she was old enough to handle any more possible “situations”.
<!----> <!---->
I was employed in the civil engineering field, and was doing nothing more than working to pay a daycare to raise my daughter. I had been doing woodwork on the side to make ends meet. (Side note: I’ve done woodworking for years as a hobby, never got paid for it)
I ‘d see her at home for about 3 hours a day after work, then I’d work in the garage late into the night and start the whole thing over again the next day. I picked up a few nice small jobs that required even more of my time. Those jobs lead to more and more jobs. The real treat was when my boss came to me and actually said “I know you’re doing woodworking on the side, we’ll have to look into it and decide if you can continue, it appears there may be a conflict of interest”. I thought long and hard about the decision I was about to make, work for a jerk like that or start my own business. Take a major cut in pay, but be able to be there for my daughter and raise her myself……..I gave my 2 week notice. That was about 8 years ago, it wasn’t easy but I haven’t looked back and have no regrets.
<!----> <!---->
So if your still reading this is where it comes current, This October, out of the blue, a package arrive on the doorstep, a Halloween present for my daughter, from the banana slug.. When Mikayla opened the box the expression on her face was one of confusion. She was puzzled that her mother doesn’t send birthday gifts or even a card, not to mention anything for Christmas since she was 4 years old. It included a card with her phone number in it. Mikayla was apprehensive to call her, it took several days to muster the courage up and even more to actually speak to her. “It’s like talking to a stranger; I don’t know what to say”. The first call didn’t go so well, Mikayla could only listened to her problems and excuses and said nothing. A day or 2 passes, Mikayla was even more upset and just wanted the Slug to understand her feelings. I encouraged her to call her mother and express her feelings.
So you all know, I don’t say much about the ex, ever, especially in front of my daughter.
She’s smart enough and old enough to render her own opinions. The first call, Mikayla wanted to just express her feelings, she refused accept the lame excuses which resulted in her mother hanging up. The following three calls, each of which went straight to voice mail, Mikayla a left message. After each call she felt better “to get it off her Chest” which lead to more emotions and another call, and another. Like going into the forest and screaming your lungs out, it just did her good! And I could see it. It didn’t matter if the message would never be listened to; it was just talking to the trees! But on the last call her mother answered and Mikayla let it rip, to listen to her get it all out was something else, even defending the accusation that I was instructing her what to say, Oh she shot that down with a barrage of statements and emotions that, quite frankly surprised the hell out of me. The final outcome was her mother stating “So I’m a bad Mom, what do you expect me to do?” Mikayla’s response was “Grow up and start taking responsibility for you actions”. That was answered with an “I just can’t talk to you, I think writing would be better………Click”.
<!----> <!---->
I refuse to build an emotional crutch that my daughter will have to lean on the rest of her life. Sure it’s challenging, for both of us, but what that doesn’t kill us just make us stronger…..and strong she is!
<!----> <!---->
Needless to say we’re not living the life of Reilly, money is always tight, but I have the flexibility to be here for her and be involved in her life, sometimes more than she wants (boys). I trade my personal time for dad time, support her in her sports, make it to every game and volunteer my time as Scorekeeper, Statistician and Team Rep.
<!----> <!---->
That was more than just a contest, it was a life lesson for her to experience firsthand. Working hard, doing your best, finishing what you start and being proud of your accomplishments. She’s proud of me for even getting chosen, let alone “building something totally awesome”. She was interviewed on the local news, we had our picture and story in the paper, even got on the radio. She came home from school one day saying the principle made a comment on the morning announcements and all day long “she felt like a Rock Star”.
<!----> <!---->
Even up against better projects (Stan’s stairs and doc’s cabinetry), You fight the good fight and walk away with your head held high, excepting your not the best but with pride in knowing that you did your best and next time you do even better. She said it all along, “Stan’s stairs are going to be hard to beat, but if we lose I want to lose to him.”
<!----> <!---->
Stan’s random act of kindness is nothing less than a domino in the circular path karma’s chain; He just set it in motion. I prefer to maintain my place in the positive circle.
<!----> <!---->
And for any of you wondering, No, the Banana Slug again sent nothing to her for Christmas. Man, I’d hate to be in her <!----><!---->Karma Circle<!----><!---->!
<!----> <!---->
<!----> <!---->
Your understanding is fine, your sympathy can be directed elsewhere, like to the banana slug…………she really needs it more!
<!----> <!---->
Thanks,
Brad
Thanks for that from an Ohioan north of you. Best of luck with the daughter, you got the work part down. As the father of a recently moved 25 y.o., that'll take a whole lot more effort, which you seem to have a handle on.
Enjoy.
A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Ok so help me out. where is everyone now?
what the latest topic of dicussion.
brad
Is this what you mean?
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voting for the dewalt top 17,stan View Image
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Did my foist TEXT
A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
i've been self employed forever and theres good times and bad with that. i sometimes envy the guys with the paycheck every friday,insurance and paid vacation. but like you i have done some things with my daughter that most guys never get to do. i did all the school trips,i was always the only dad,we've been to swim meets all over the country,took vacations [one was to disney the week of Daytona] and so on. being there for your daughter will always be there with both of you, you won't remember those fridays without a paycheck.
i guarantee you if you blink your eyes she will be off to college when you open them,thats where i'm at now,so don't miss a minute of it..
have great time at the 500. larryYOU ONLY NEED TWO TOOLS IN LIFE - WD-40 AND DUCT TAPE. IF IT DOESN'TMOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40. IF IT SHOULDN'T MOVE AND DOES, USE THEDUCT TAPE.
your one heck of a guy and i hope to meet you some day maybe we can carpool to Stans stair building seminar that is if he decides to do it
Brad- Thanks for sharing that. I have the utmost respect for how you have put Mikayla first in your life. You should be proud of yourself.....not many would go that far.
Stan
Well.....you asked? LOL Thanks All for your kind thoughts. I'm not the only guy in that boat. My buddy, Mike, better known as Wild Walley (the Rebel 105.9) Is raising 4 boys on his own. That's a real Challenge! I got it easy compared to him.
Stan, remember asking about this during the contest and I said I tell to you after the contest was over. I felt it may look like I was trying to play a "Sympathy Card" to get more votes, that's just not right, and it sure the hell ain't me!
Brad
in a nut shell.......
The Tavern is a hidden folder that up until recently anyone could get access by just asking for it. It's purpose is to keep all the non building related chit chat out of the main folders since any of those threads or posts can be randomly selected to appear in the FHB magazine.
During the elections a number of tavernites were getting unruly and that resulted in a major banning of both guilty and innocent members. The Tavern itself was also on the fence for getting the axe. Presently most if not all ahve been reinstated and the tavern is still here, but new access is on hold. Only a Mod or an Admin can grant access.
Don't give up, stick around and you'll understand soon enough
brad,don't get discourage about this,we want you to stick around,so we can pick someone elses brain......
but yes there is a hidden categories called the tavern, like i said more controversial type stuff in there. there thinking is they don't want somebody coming in here for the first time looking for info and stumble into a discussion on left/right wing politics and everybody calling each other names. if it was up to me the tavern could just go away.were all adults.
used to be you could ask for permission to get in,but i don't now know. i think i'll make a post and see what the word is.maybe there is a secret handshake!!
by the way did you ever get the guitar post posted? i know it's goofy learning some of the ways this site works ,but hang around we'get you going.YOU ONLY NEED TWO TOOLS IN LIFE - WD-40 AND DUCT TAPE. IF IT DOESN'TMOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40. IF IT SHOULDN'T MOVE AND DOES, USE THEDUCT TAPE.
heres the first post after i showed your u
From:
StanFoster <!----><!---->
2:38 pm
To:
alwaysoverbudget <!----><!---->
(2 of 12)
114410.2 in reply to 114410.1
Brad- Thanks so much for giving me the warmest feeling I have had in a long time. The way this played out has got to be put into words...its almost scary.
Everyone....Brad, the sportman and gentleman he obviously is...first contacted me with a nice message during the contest. I wrote back and why on Gods earth I opened up completely to a stranger the stuff I told him,,,I will never know...except now it looks just like it was meant to be.....I will let you all decide...please bear with me...this is a long story...but has to be told. I basically told Brad the following...though not quite as lengthy. Again...why in the world would I tell Brad,...a complete stranger this stuff?? I thought after I had sent it ,,and I reread my message I sent to him.....geesssh...he probably thinks...this guy needs someone to talk to....!!!
The Story
Many here may well remember my son Jeff almost dying back in 2001-2002.
Flashback to the summer of 2001. Jeff and I were eagerly awaiting an alligator hunt to Florida. We were going with Don Hampton...a nationally famous TV sport hunter and alligator guide. At the Brickyard 400 Nascar race in August of 2001, Jeff was coming home with a bad stomach ache. He thought he had some bad chicken over at the race. After he was sick for a week, he went to the doctor and he thought it was just an intestinal bug..flu and he should get over it.
Our flight to Florida was scheduled for Sep. 13th, 2001. Notice that date...its two days past 911 ...and there would not have been any airline flights on that day anyway.
I remember we had 10 days left to go before we left for our alligator hunt, and I commented to Jeff that he should have plenty of time to get feeling better.
The date drew closer and Jeff wasnt getting better. I am talking 20 episodes of thowing up/diarrea daily. Nothing was working on him, the doctors were puzzled. Then on Monday night...Sept 10th,....I was asleep and Jeff came by to tell me he wasnt feeling well enough to go, and he was more worried about me losing the hunt fee which was non-cancellable. I told him I could care less about the silly alligator hunt...just his health was the most important.
Tuesday morning...Sept 11th,, just 30 minutes before the terrorists struck the World Trade Center....I called my alligator guide and couldnt hold back the emotions of how distraught I was over my sons health...and to cancell the hunt. To my surprise...he said we will just reschedule you two in the spring of 2002. Wow..I just got out of some major dollar loss....and all I had to worry about losing now was my airline tickets. Unfortunately....the terrorist act that shut down our airline traffice system took care of that....and at the cost of nearly 3000 lives.
Jeff continued puzzling the doctors and specialists and remained sick. I had to cancel our rescheduled spring of 2002 hunt till the Sept. of 2002....the alligator guide just said we will do this hunt whenever Jeff gets his health back.
Finally they diagosed Jeff either having ulcerative colitus..or Chrones disease. In August they concluded it was ulceritive colitus and Jeff had his whole colon removed. Our 2nd rescheduled hunt was cancelled and I told my tour guide I would call him after Jeff got his health back..
Jeff did get his health back just fine...and was a new person. I was ecstatic and I started planning our alligator hunt for the final time. This time I didnt tell Jeff the specifics...but I planned our hunt for Feb. 16th, 2003, the day after the Daytona 500 race.
Jeff is a huge Nascar fan, and one thing I had promised him earlier when I first scheduled our alligator hunt...that while down in Florida...we would run up to the Daytona track midweek and do one of those ride alongs...where you pay to get three laps around the Daytona track in a real Nascar racecar. Jeff was actually more excited about this than the alligator hunt.
This scenario set me up for the best Christmas present I have ever given anyone..or ever will.
Jeff knew I had scheduled our alligator hunt sometime early 2003...but I kept the date from him as he would know the Daytona 500 race was going on.
Anyway,...we were having our Christmas and I was just about to hand Jeff his present. But first...the character I am...I had to kick the legs out from under him so to speak,,,and I set him up with some disappointing news. I was telling Jeff that I found out that the week we are going alligator hunting...that they wont be doing those ride alongs at Daytona. He looked so disappointed....but then I said.....for some reason they wont let us out on the track during the Daytona 500 race....as I handed him two tickets to the Daytona 500. He paused,,,,then just crumpled, sobbing,,and then gave me a big hug. I cant see to type right now...as I still get teary eyed telling this story.
Jeff and I went to see the Daytona 500 , and then both hand harpooned our alligators in the swamps the middle of the night the next day. End of this Story....
I told Brad all this in my first response to him ..and it just felt like destiny that if for some reason I win the DeWalt contest....Brad, and his fine daughter Mikayla were going to be there. Brad has impressed me to no end with his finish carpentry skills....his examples as a father he has shown to his daughter....and his very honorable behaviour during,,and after the contest. I have been blessed to have met such a fine person...and his daughter is growing up to be just like him.
I hinted to Brad that if he were to go to the Daytona 500, would he take Mikayla. He said he would...thats when I had a little problem. I am winning 4 tickets....and had a spare to give to someone special....but I needed another one. Brad was going to buy one...but then there was the problem of no pit pass to go along with it. I called DeWalt...and talked to Mario Lopez about buying a ticket...and a pit pass. He just said he would get back with me. Mario called 15 minutes later and said 5 Daytona 500 tickets were on the way....and the pitpass would be taken care of by us all being picked up in the DeWalt V.I.P. van. I thought that was real gratious of DeWalt.....and the way this whole thing unfolded...it felt destined to happen.
Sorry...for this long diatribe...but I feel it had to be told.
Stantube clip.YOU ONLY NEED TWO TOOLS IN LIFE - WD-40 AND DUCT TAPE. IF IT DOESN'TMOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40. IF IT SHOULDN'T MOVE AND DOES, USE THEDUCT TAPE.
heres some more
From:
woody1777 <!----><!---->
3:01 pm
To:
StanFoster <!----><!---->
(3 of 12)
114410.3 in reply to 114410.2
Wow......just wow.
Naive but refreshing !
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From:
arcticcat <!----><!---->
3:12 pm
To:
StanFoster <!----><!---->
(4 of 12)
114410.4 in reply to 114410.2
Wow, that is too cool! What a great story.
You'll all have a great time!
Mike
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From:
misfit <!----><!---->
3:40 pm
To:
StanFoster <!----><!---->
(5 of 12)
114410.5 in reply to 114410.2
"Sorry...for this long diatribe..."
Lose those thoughts Stan, this country needs more people like you. You are indeed a Class Act!
WOW doesn't even begin to describe it!
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From:
calvin <!----><!---->
5:29 pm
To:
StanFoster <!----><!---->
(6 of 12)
114410.6 in reply to 114410.2
Stan, Merry Christmas!
You keep winning more than the alloted prizes in this contest. You are one lucky guy.
You should step out tomorrow morning and buy one lottery ticket.
A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
YOU ONLY NEED TWO TOOLS IN LIFE - WD-40 AND DUCT TAPE. IF IT DOESN'TMOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40. IF IT SHOULDN'T MOVE AND DOES, USE THEDUCT TAPE.
continued
From:
alwaysoverbudget <!----><!---->
7:18 pm
To:
StanFoster <!----><!---->
(7 of 12)
114410.7 in reply to 114410.2
stan, i don't really know you,we could walk by each other tomorrow and wouldn't even know it. but i know you from reading the words you type on this Internet thing,so we all get to know each other that way.
but i have to tell you I'm privileged to know a guy here on bt with so much class and humility. i know i can learn alot just reading what you have posted over the years and none of it would have anything to do with stairs.
all of you have a great time at daytona,i'll be watching and knowing out in the middle is 5 people having a great time.
sounds like there are alot more prizes in this contest than a bunch of tools that will wear out someday,you've met some new friends and are making some memories that will be there forever. merry christmas larry
p.s are you going to see if they will let you fly the helicopter?
YOU ONLY NEED TWO TOOLS IN LIFE - WD-40 AND DUCT TAPE. IF IT DOESN'TMOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40. IF IT SHOULDN'T MOVE AND DOES, USE THEDUCT TAPE.
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From:
MikeSmith <!----><!---->
7:36 pm
To:
StanFoster <!----><!---->
(8 of 12)
114410.8 in reply to 114410.7
stan....your love and cocern for your son always came thru in those days.... nice to get the additional background and the continuing adventure
enjoy !
and Merry Christmas to you and yours
Mike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
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From:
PeteDraganic <!----><!---->
8:10 pm
To:
StanFoster <!----><!---->
(9 of 12)
114410.9 in reply to 114410.2
Stan, which project was Brad's?
<!----><!----><!---->
I refuse to accept that there are limitations to what we can accomplish. Pete Draganic
Take life as a test and shoot for a better score each day. Matt Garcia
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From:
StanFoster <!----><!---->
8:33 pm
To:
PeteDraganic <!----><!---->
(10 of 12)
114410.10 in reply to 114410.9
Pete- Brads project was the guy in the yellow DeWalt shirt doing the office makeover. I thought his presentation was my favorite...and I didnt care if it cost me votes saying so. I invited him to this forum and to stay over at my Rotary Forum. I did not care if this cost me to lose to him....theres more going on behind the scenes than you realize. I wouldnt trade the warm feelings I have had over this whole contest and the aftermath for all of DeWalts tools,.. or any make of tools as far as that goes.
Qualifying for the contest........awesome
Winning the contest...............awesome plus
Giving back a little.................priceless
If there is one thing I have learned on this planet..is that as it turns...too many people are taking away.....and not putting back. Now...I admit my take has been more than my put back...but I am trying to right that.
Stan
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From:
PeteDraganic <!----><!---->
8:38 pm
To:
StanFoster <!----><!---->
(11 of 12)
114410.11 in reply to 114410.10
Stan, you're an ok guy. Merry Christmas. Glad I could be part of the voting... it was an honor, even moreso in the aftermath knowing the guy you are.
<!----><!----><!---->
I refuse to accept that there are limitations to what we can accomplish. Pete Draganic
Take life as a test and shoot for a better score each day. Matt Garcia
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From:
StanFoster <!----><!---->
8:43 pm
To:
ALL <!----><!---->
(12 of 12)
114410.12 in reply to 114410.10
Everyone- I really appreciate the fine comments from all of you.....what I have done is nothing more than the average person here if presented with the same circumstances. We all love our kids and would practically die for them if we had to. So,.I see nothing special at all in what I had done for Jeff. I just wanted him to have enjoyment in life again...and the Daytona 500 tickets fit right into my scheme.
Then Brad comes along in the middle of the contest and starts corresponding with me....and I just felt that there was a special person....and my gut instinct was right. I learned far more about him later...verifying once again my gut instinct steered me correctly.
I could say a lot more...but I am directing too much attention and I start to shy away and crawl back in my hole...
Stan
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YOU ONLY NEED TWO TOOLS IN LIFE - WD-40 AND DUCT TAPE. IF IT DOESN'TMOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40. IF IT SHOULDN'T MOVE AND DOES, USE THEDUCT TAPE.
Luthiers Forum is an excellent site:
http://luthiersforum.3element.com/forum/default2.asp
I used to hang out there.
OB
i'm speechless,the guy called you?
you know i'd like to see dewalt put the brakes on this. the should have some people in the trim field judge this and declare a winner.this is so unfair to all the projects in the contest. if a guy had the networking skills all you have to do is butcher a pc of osb into a cabinet with staples and turn your network loose.i could then be the top trim carp in the nation with my osb box.
it has nothing to do with winning the tools,it's just wrong for the guys that put all the time,effort and money to see this shape up like this.larryif a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
If this doesn't end up right, I will be voting with my wallet.
Stan, Brads shop is here in my city. I confess to voting for both him and you, but as events turned into what they are, I put my 3 a day in for you. Maybe I should stop in and say Hi to Brad. You know, the Dewalt (PC,B&d etc) service center and store is across the street from him. Kinda ironic.
I think I can guess why. Wonder if Dewalt is checking how voting has been conducted so far.
I am far from a computer expert.
I do know what is the best project in the competition.
I do know that it aint lookin' good.
I have ALOT of faith.
Which makes me assume that the problem is devine intervention.
God himself couldn't stand it any longer - :)
Wow that's only going to add to the conspiracy theories, which I unfortunately am having a hard time not believing. I've said it before and Ill say it again I am glad to "know" you through here and you are an extremely honorable person and an example to us all.
Also any one who values tradesmen at all KNOW you deserve to win. Its a shame the kitchen is even challenging you.
Certainly something afoot with the competition. I would have to say his Sawmill Creek post is perfectly clean like yours, telling people to look then vote. I can not believe they accepted his project since it totally does not fall into the three categories. It surely is not a trim carpenter type job and IMHO pretty much out of scale in so many areas.
I have four granddaughters from 1yr to 10 and would probably be swayed seeing the cute little daughter but as a remodeler and owner of a truckload of DW tools I say there is absolutely no comparison. He would fare pretty well over at the DIY site maybe.
My wife who works with me had the same opinion. I will try to talk to some others and give you their e-mail proxy.
Edit: I get the runtime error after clicking "view project" by the way.
For those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
Edited 12/8/2008 8:32 pm ET by rasconc
The server is back up now and counting votes like a Florida Democrat.
I woke up out of my nap just in time to build up the fire, get in two more votes before midnite and keep right on voting after midnite for five in a row.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I've never started one, but the webmasters just announced a new one today. Watch for the fireworks.
................................................
Men will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest.~ Denis Diderot
I asked my 10-year old daughter to take a look at all the projects. She sees me work in the house all the time so appreciates the amount of work that goes into a project. I showed her all the projects and said that your stairs are really nice. She also liked the kitchen but added that a lot of people will vote for it because the little girl is really cute. She wants to cast her vote for you, which i will do every day from now on.
But then she asked why i didn't submit a project and went on to answer her own question...."is it because you are too slow and you would not have finished like some of the other contestants?"
Out of the mouth of babes!
Another three in this morning.
Your closing in on the Holly Hobby bake oven set!
It would be a real shame if he was doing something fishey. It makes you wonder because his day job "has something to do with computers" thats what he says, someone had a link to his stuff. That and he apperars to be in all kinds of forums hittin up for votes. Put that with the fact that his project is pretty lame and ones gotta wonder. How could anyone (even at dewalt) want something like that to represent the top finish carpenter.
We need a broader base to view these projects and make the right decision. Also the casual observer would likely go the the site and get frustrated trying to look at everyones project because its hard to tell who youve looked at when they move everytime. Wheres the common sense? Apparently its not too common.
that link doesn't work for me,double check it to see. it's the dewalt/top linkif a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
Did you use this new dewalt nailgun at all on your project...... ;)
New Nail Gun, made by Dewalt. It can drive a 16-D nail through a 2 X 4 at 200 yards. This makes construction a breeze, you can sit in your lawn chair and build a fence. Just get the wife and kids to hold the fence boards in place while you sit back, relax with a cold drink, when they have the board in the right place just fire away. With the hundred round magazine, you can build the fence with a minimum of reloading. After a day of fence building with the new Dewalt Rapid fire nail gun, the wife will not ask you to fix or build anything else.
please see attached photo....
"Preach the Gospel at all times; if necessary, use words." - St. Francis of Assisi
Will post this a.m. at QT, thanks for the reminder that voting has begun.
A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Thanks! Everyone....keep rounding up friends , and send them over to http://www.dewalt.com/top17 and have them vote for their favorite project.
Stan
Stan I Asked before, do you ever sleep or are you always wound this tight, you remind me of my wife who does professional quilting who thrives on stress. You definitley have are votes and GOOD LUCK !!!!!!
No brainer stan. I'm no dummy. You do good work and deserve the support from people that feel the same as I (we) do.
And in this election, we can vote now-vote often.
A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Stan - not just your project, but your presentation also shines. Clear pictures, well-lit, plenty of them, with step-by-step explanations. And you finished on time! You deserve to win. As you said, all 17 are already winners...but in a truly fair contest....View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product” – Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
Stan
I am sure you have heard this before but AWESOME stairs!!
Excellent Picts and presentation.
Great detail.
Not only did you earn my vote, but my respect as well for your patience and attention to detail on every step of the project. I've always been measured on how straight I built stuff, which I always found easy. You truly takeit up a notch!
3 more. Your project is miles ahead of the others in my opinion. My second favorite is the beam addition, but as far as complexity, it really doesn't compare.
Tracy
what in the world is going on that the mini kitchen dude is leading the race ??
Seriously folks... you need to vote. Something is amiss here.
what??????????????? the kids kitchen. listen if there was a "best dad award" he'd get it,his little girl will play with that for years. but it don't even touch some of the others.
i went thru and looked at 5-6 ,heck one the guy didn't even finish,another one was so lame the guy said" look at the other stuff i've done" . i'll get thru the rest maybe today.
i didn't see where it gave results,where did you find that?larryif a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
oh i see why the guy with the mini fridge is winning. he has a cute girl in the pic!
stan ,can ya run down to hooters and get some eye candy.tell everyone it's your crew that helps set the stairs...................................if a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
Why don't you take care of that for Stan.
OOOOOOOO, ooooooo, oooooooo...oooooo.
Over here !
Sitting on one cheek, hand raised high in the air.
"stan ,can ya run down to hooters and get some eye candy."Tell the truth now, you don't think anyone would even notice the Hooter's girls with those stairs being so magnificent, do you?
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
click on leaderboard..
I had the same trouble viewing. Found I needed to scroll down on the screen. The little saw blades are down on the bottom. Now, is there a "vote count" in numbers anywhere in there?
thanks.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
OK - I scrolled down and saw the saw blades. Thanks for that. Wonder what they signify? I'm thinking Stan musta got more than 2 votes ;-)
Well, lets see. Those look like 7-1/4'' blades.
Multiply the circumference x pie............square something, that would make it a brownie............so that's not right.
I just don't know.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Maybe the saw blades indicate who is the best Dewalt customer... ;-)
i can't figure out how it's scored. i know that my household has put in 9 since last night [threaten my daughter that i would shut off the internet!]plus it sounds like at least 30-50 vote from this site today,and the 2 saw blades are not moving? so i would guess each blade represents 50-100 votes?
kinda goofy if you ask me. looking at it ,it doesn't look like anyone but stan and the kids kitchen has any votes. if a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
I really appreciate the fan base thats starting to roll here.
Please continue your fantastic support at http://www.dewalt.com/top17
Stan
stan,first i wanna bump this,so evryone can see it tonight.it's sunday night what else is there to do but get on bt.
whats up with the vote count? i would guess that you have gotten at least a hundred maybe closer to 200 votes since friday and your 2 saw blades are locked in. same with the other guys [thank goodness] do you have any contact with dewalt on this to find out?
win ,lose or draw it would be pretty frustrating for 17 guys to put alot of work into all this and dewalt fails with the web site.
i gotta go threaten my daughter again to vote:] larryif a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
Bumpin'
I agree w/ you Larry that DeWalt is really dropping the ball on this.
Seems a shame, and frustrating, for 12 to 14 people to put out the effort and have DeWalt not be able to pull it together.
I have had a lot of feedback with e-mail addresses sent to me stating that they want me to use that address for my vote.
This is my networking improvement...its satisfies my needs of having the voters see the projects..and wanting their vote to go to me. Just send the e-mail addresses to me at [email protected] and I will gain legitimate votes...save you time...and DeWalts data base increases.
View projects at http://www.dewalt.com/top17 and if my project is your favorite...send me your e-mail address and I will do the rest!
Stan
Bump.
Keep goin' and if there's anything that the 15 of us here can do let me know.
mhole: Thanks,....
I will just keep plugging for e-mail addesses that have voters behind them that have chosen my project. So far I have several and all are backed up with e-mails saying they have chosen my project and want their vote going with the address they gave me.
Keep viewing at http://www.dewalt.com/top17 and if my project is the one you want to vote...send your e-mail address to me at [email protected] and I will see its entered.
Stan
I have given you my 3 votes a day since the first day of voting. Like others I cannot see how that guy with the child's project can be in the lead. He does work with computers for a living so perhaps he has come up with a program to continually get votes from himself. This is not a condemnation of the quality of his work or his skill. I just do not think it measures up to your project or many of the others.
I believe you are correct! Stan's project far exceeds the rest!
Luke
Larry:
I'm guessing that each saw blade stands for 1,000 or even 10,000 votes.
Thanks to the wonderful support here and on another site...I have received my third saw blade. I must continue plugging not for me...but for all 17 of our projects to be considered and then vote for which one you feel best exemplifies Top Trim Carpenter.
http://www.dewalt.com/top17
I am enjoying this contest and have a real warm feeling inside no matter where I end up at.
Thanks so much everyone and you all have made me "feel" I am a winner even if I place 17th.
Stan
wow, mike is in the lead and all he has going is a little kid, Stan, adopt a cute little kid quick!!!!
m/ (>.<) m/
http://www.cocoboloboy.co.nr
andy are you available for adoption?if a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
haha, lol, mabey if I was younger :)
m/ (>.<) m/http://www.cocoboloboy.co.nr
I am keeping both of these DeWalt threads bumped. I just posted in the other thread about anyone wanting to vote for my stairway project...after having seen the other projects...and you want to save time...just e-mail me at [email protected] and I will save you time and see that you get your votes in daily!!
http://www.dewalt.com/top17
Thanks
Stan,
I'm putting in my three votes per day on the site. Does sending my email address to you increase my voting potential?
Joe
just needing to bump this,have you voted today??????????????
if a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
I keep trying to vote but someone already registered me and I'm prevented from logging on to vote.
Frenchy - I have had a few tell me the same thing. Even a local here in town is having trouble. I have had to repunch in my own vote a few times before it would work.
I am falling behind.....I am not a good networker, but just a proficient trim carpenter. Wonder what the title Top trim Carpenter would feel like?? I better become a better networker to even have a chance to find out! ha
http://www.dewalt.com/top17
Stan
Listen up folks. A very rudimentary project is in the lead. I don't think it's asking too much for us to make a valliant effort to get Stan to the top of this contest and keep him there.
View Image I'll even make it easier-Here's his mug-click on it when you get to the Contest Page and you'll be given the opportunity to view his stair project or VOTE. You can vote 3 times in succession (limit-3per day)
Here's a link to stans page in the contest.
http://www.dewalt.com/us/top17/finalists.aspx?projectID=109
You can vote on this page too.
Can't make it any simpler (if this in fact works).
PLEASE VOTE EVERYDAY THRU DEC 14th!
http://www.dewalt.com/us/top17/
A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Edited 12/2/2008 8:20 am ET by calvin
calvin hows the voting going over at quittintime?
it is a little frustrating to see which project is ahead. there are several that beat it out hands down.if your looking for the best trim carpenter,would you hire off that guys kitchen project ,i wouldn't. i think his mini kitchen is a pretty cool playhouse set for his daughter ,but when i look at stans and several others i'm blown away at how this is going.
LETS ALL GET OUT AND VOTE FOR CHANGE!!
if you have several emails thats all it takes....................if a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
We're bumping it everyday and including a link to vote in several messages. However the viewing is no where near that here so we've got to keep this in sight every opportunity.
I can't believe this board's attempt at putting Pete in the Governors mansion can't be repeated.
That kid kitchen guy must have one big family. Bigger than this one?A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
It would be stoopid to have the contest winner be someone who has never worked trimming out houses.I started another thread about the Top 17 over at Knots (I already hit JLC and Contractors Talk). Hope to widen Stan's base... the toy kitchen guy obviously has a wide base. ;o)Hope you're mending well,Brian
Edited 12/2/2008 9:18 am ET by basswood
Doing good Brian. See the surgeon this aftn. He'll tell me if I still need to sit around and pimp the contest.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
well if your pimping this thing, can we advertise a pourn site on craigslist,then when people click on it it hits dewalt.
i like itif a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
Hey, if votes could be had with some cleavage from the Star Diner, I'd be the first to go ask.
Now that I think of it-good excuse to go tomorrow morning. I'll let you know what I see.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Could be worthy of a photo thread, don't you think?'Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt man doing it' ~ Chinese proverb
View Image
Alright,
Here's the gauntlet thrown down.
You bananna heads get stan in the winners circle and I guarantee there'll be a photo thread of Star Diner girls.
even if I have to put the camera in my coat and surreptitiously take em.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
I cant tell you all how much I appreciate the effort you are putting in for me. Keep it up and I am trying on my end.
http://www.dewalt.com/top17
Stan
Stan,Voting for you whenever the site lets me. I don't even see a second or third place there!I'm in awe of your work.(hey, us former farmers have to stick together!)-Paul
"I cant tell you all how much I appreciate the effort you are putting in for me. Keep it up and I am trying on my end."Believe me, I'm sitting here on my end trying too!;)'cept yesterday, I had a travel day awayBut interestingly, when I loggeed in today to vote, the first page up said, "you have two votes remaining today"i'd have thought I'd get to use six votes to make up for yesterday! LOL
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Star Diner girls????
Waz zat?
A prior diner here by another name was often described as Legs and Eggs.
This local chain offers Good Food and a Great View.
I can attest to both.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
I used to go to a "legs & eggs" place...suprisingly, the Board of Health tried frequent stings there to catch violations...sure they were fighting over that undercover assignment. Never noticed if the food was good or bad or even cooked!
even if I have to put the camera in my coat and surreptitiously take em.
You know, I'm just down the street from The Agency. So I'm sure I could set you up with a camera system that would be, shall we say, discrete.
Got DW to vote for Stan as well. Figured every vote counts.'Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt man doing it' ~ Chinese proverb
View Image
Set me up, I'm game.
http://www.dewalt.com/us/top17/ Vote Now for StanA Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Vote early and vote often people
all right we got four blades ,lets see if we can get another by thurs am.kitchen guys network might be slowing down........................if i knew where his connection was,i'd go clip the cable.
man i wish i knew what those blades represented.
this is a heck of a lot more fun than presidental voting,who cares whose pres.if a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
Dig it, more fun, no arguments, probably noone kicked off because of it.................
pc. of cake.
Better yet if we get stan the vote-------
http://www.dewalt.com/us/top17/A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
we might start a big argument about who stans going to pick for his cabinet?
does he pick unknowns or go pick from his rivals on the dewalt site?
we should really know stans postion on piffin screws too....
YOU CAN NEVER VOTE TO OFTEN,may have to use another email addyif a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
Stan,
I have posted before with my standard line to you, " Just when I start thinking I'm talented, I see one of your staircases on here, and start feeling like a pallet builder..."
Your Dewalt entry has kept me in awe of your work. As I said to a friend earlier tonight, It's very seldom that I see work that blows me away...I see things occasionally that I think are nice, neat, well done, etc., etc,. I also almost never see work that makes me say, " I don't think I could do that and have it turn out right." Not a lack of confidence, mind you, I'm just realistic. My friend voted x3 for you tonight, and promised to go back 'til the end. My wife had an artsy party at the house tonight, and all the hens left with the net address in their pocket, swearing they'll vote every day, (I showed em your stuff). Tommorrow, I'll put it out to the guys on my fire dept., that's another 200 guys, if a tenth actually come thru, I hope it pushes the cause along... It is my new mission to see you on top at the end of this thing, in part because the talent is off the chart, but maybe equally importantly, you're so #### humble about it: "vote for who you think is best......" You are truly a class act, and if that guy wins with that friggin kitchen, I'll hold my breath til I turn blue......
Bing
OK Stan, just did my nightly ritual, brushed my teeth, put on my jammies, said my prayers (one for you) and voted my 3 votes for your stairs.
Experienced, but still dangerous!
lmao,every night on the way to bed,hit the wifes computer for 3 more votes.
night billy joeif a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
Is the Star Diner's webcam down again?
"Preach the Gospel at all times; if necessary, use words." - St. Francis of Assisi
Edited 12/5/2008 10:37 am ET by SteveInCleveland
The funny thing is that the contest rules allowed projects in these 3 categories: stairs, mantles, and built-in cabinets.
The play kitchen is none of those...
It might be close to a built-in but it isn't. But then again, maybe I'm a sore loser (by proxy).
I agree. I fail to see what that project has to do with trim carpentry.
The most important aspect of trim carpentry, IMH, is the ability so mate parts to existing structures, be it door casings, cabinets, crown moldings or stairs. They all have to fit up to the structure of the building theat is being trimmed out.
Many can build a nice cabinet. Fewer can make that cabinet fit well, with no gaps, into an existing space that is rarely level plumb or square.
Ahhhhhh.... Leme see... should I vote for something that will end up in a yardsale in 4 or 5 years or should I vote for something that will go in a mega-buck house and make everyone who walks in the door go "Wow!".... ?????
little help here?????
;-)
thats a tough question.let me think and i'll get back to ya.
lets go with the "wow"if a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
Rudimentry doesn't even begin to describe it. His level of craftsmanship is mediocre at best.
My blood's boiling over this. Stan had my vote from day one anyways and, obviously, has gotten as many as I can get in. There are some excellent other projects on there from some fine craftsman, but this other guy - la dee da garbage. Actually, only one other project on there impressed me at all... SawDustShop or whatever his name is - reminds me a bit of Fusco. But even still, comparing trim and cabinets to a flawless curved stair - no brainer.
Stan, here's to you. #1 in my book any day. Great job on the stairs none-the-less. I'd love to be able to figure those out, I think it would be a lot of fun and I love stair building already... Maybe someday...
Nick
Rudimentry doesn't even begin to describe it. His level of craftsmanship is mediocre at best.
My blood's boiling over this. Stan had my vote from day one anyways and, obviously, has gotten as many as I can get in.
Totally agree. I could easily cobble together a play cabinet set as good as that and I am just a loser roofer/sider who goofs off with wood in my spare time.
But Stans stuff ? I wouldn't even know where to start. It is unbelievable to me that someone could look at the two projects and not see the difference. One is kindergarten finger painting and the other is a Van Gogh. The effort on both is admirable, but the expertise is what sets Stan apart.
I think the kiddo cabinet dude has figured out some kind of vote-bot to game dewalts system. Or he is using every address in his email address book, permision or not. I say somebody should tattle to dewalt and see if he loses any blades.........Naive but refreshing !
Stan
Based on your work I really think you should win.. Have you gone over to fine wood working and registered there as well?
which could you build in a weekend?
if i had time i would go in and pick some of the other guys that have real nice projects. this thing is kinda getting on my nerves.
bottom line for me,i can build that kitchen in a weekend,stans i couldn't build the handraIL WITH 1000 BDFT and a year,that is craftsmanship at the top of the scale.i can sometimes make a 45 degree return on a handrail and only butcher it up 3-4 times.lol
if a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
Edited 12/6/2008 12:57 pm by alwaysoverbudget
Aaacckkk! Don't DO that!View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product” – Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
giving it a bump,we gotta keep this popping up.
DID YOU VOTE TODAY??????????
http://www.dewalt.com/top17
if a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
This is our Stan Foster
View Image
Vote at http://www.dewalt.com/top16 for Stan's beautiful stairs!
Just a bump with a link so it's REAL convenient to cast yer vote today.
http://www.dewalt.com/top17
Mike Hennessy
Pittsburgh, PA
PS: I think Stan said that, if he wins, we all get helicopter rides. Cool!
Remember you can use this direct link to vote for Stan - Saves some clicking if you're already logged in.http://www.dewalt.com/us/top17/vote.aspx?projectID=109
Don't hate yourself in the morning -- sleep till noon.
HEY!! Stan is even for first place!
Let's just keep this link handy.
Vote here.
http://www.dewalt.com/us/top17/vote.aspx?projectID=109
I see a couple of the others have 4 sawblades now.
Strange scoring system isn't it.
http://www.dewalt.com/us/top17/finalists.aspx?projectID=109
It looks like it's a tie between stan and the other guy
Kinda like the electoral college, maybe?
I think the whole site is a mess, and who knows how they are keeping score.
I'm guessing , as someone said previously, that the blades are worth more at the level Stan and kitchen boy are at....I guess that would make sense in that they've been tied @ 7 apiece for 3(?) days now, as some of the other guys have gained 2 blades. I'm sure with all the support Stan has, he would have moved by now at the rate he was a few days ago if they were still worth the same.....weird voting system, weird judging system, why not a weird leaderboard ? Stay tuned.....
Bing
I am perplexed as well. I was expecting Mike to get his 8th blade by now...but by extrapolation...I should have had mine by now also.
I have enjoyed this a lot...but I will be glad when its over Sunday night.
Still 3 days left to view and vote for several excellent projects at http://www.dewalt.com/top17
Stan
Damn Stan, I had a scare when I logged in to vote a few minutes ago. All the pictures loaded exceptone was blacked out and you could not vote for it or view the project. Problem is it was your pic that was missing. I refreshed the site and all seventeen showed and I put in your votes for today.
That site sure does have some bugs.
Stan,
You've been getting my 3 votes a day. Love your work.
Ok everyone...the voting is about over...just two days left. Please expose as many new people to http://www.dewalt.com/top17 and tell them there are a lot of nice projects there worthy of your votes.
Stan
Stan's stairs are old technology and outdated. We vote for the office project.
Sincerely,
The Ottis Elevator Company
Snicker.........
Gotcha Stan
Brad McFarland
(Vote for the guy in the yellow shirt)
http://www.dewalt.com/us/top17/finalists.aspx?projectID=80
Edited 12/13/2008 6:48 am ET by SawdustShoppe
Brad, what's your take on the contest-site use,voting procedure etc?
And by the way, you are one lucky guy with that sweetheart to work with.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
My Take on the contest?
In a word, Exhausting!
Honored to be accepted, Thrilled to be competing, Motivated to build, Driven to complete, Rewarding to finish, proud of my accomplishment, excited to be judged, disheartened of comments, anticipating the conclusion, and glad when it's over.
that's My take anyway.
Brad
Thanks Brad, and a welcome to Breaktime.
The introduction of your daughter to woodworking is quite an achievement!
Best of luck in all the other hurdles of raising a daughter.
A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Hey Brad!I really liked the work you showed, and the pictures were very good. I voted for you a couple times also, but I've known Stan for a long time and really wanted to help him win.I'm from Kettering also. I thought your shop was off Dixie drive, (near the Dewalt service center) but not so sure anymore. Well, good luck with the contest!
Got to know stan through this contest, he's a great guy, and it it weren't for guys like him this contest wouldn't be the same.
Hey another buckeye, great! did you happened to catch us on Bucher's Beat (WDNT) this week? My daughter had a blast being on the news, she was great.
where in kettering, what do you do?
Brad
Brad, I'm in east Kettering by research park. I work at Kodak, so I can just walk to work faster than driving, it's so close. In my younger years I worked as a glazier, electricians helper, laborer, drywaller, etc. I decided to go to college to study electronics since my health never was that great and I could not keep up with heavy physical labor like I should have. At one time I was offered a job in a cabinet shop in Miamisburg, I wish I had taken it. The guy offered the job to me from a reference from someone who knew me. I also was a motorhead, and inspired a neighbor to eventually start his own auto repair business after he lost his job with NCR. One of my three sons is studying automotive technology at Sinclair Community College, maybe my showing him how to work on cars had some effect. The oldest son is at Wright State school of medicine, he loves school unlike the other two. The youngest is still in High school.So now I am in Manufacturing engineering, which is not that satisfying, but it pays the bills.I still do work on the side occasionally, mostly siding and windows.
Wow, there are Americans who still work at Kodak!?
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Bump
It's a new day...if you're still up, use your time to Vote!
Just got my last votes in.
Good luck Stan.
Thanks - didn't realize how late it was
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Stan,
Any update?. Are they bringing the check by or are you picking it uo in the Gyro?
I was talking to all my friends about the contest during football (well, during the commercials!) this weekend and we were all impressed on how you never diviated from your humbleness and ethics.
If you're not tired of hearing it, congratulations on a well faught contest and a beautiful piece of artwork that you've created.
I spoke to stan this morning, he was busy building a new tool rack.............
just kidding.
I spoke with DeWalt this morning. Decision and notified by 5 pm, today.
the winner will get a call, the rest get an email.
T...i...c...k.... T....o.....c.....k.... t......i.....c......k.......
43 minute til 5:00..............nothing!
Brad
Edited 12/15/2008 2:08 pm ET by SawdustShoppe
Edited 12/15/2008 4:17 pm ET by SawdustShoppe
Screw the contest winner Brad, when's the drawing for one of us peons?A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Huh? did I miss something?
Evidently you did.
Dewalt entered all us voters into some giveaway.
You think we voted for a good reason?
Heck no, we're too selfish here at BT for that sort of nonsense.
A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Dahhhhh.......... I got it!
Hey I'm in that drawign to then LOL
BRAD
And the tick tock clock ticks on....
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Oh Hell..........who knows?
Just got off the phone with Stan.......No news
I know that there have been many complaints about the website. The weird thing that just happened to me is that I was just allowed to vote again. I just submitted 2 more votes, I don't know how that happened.
Results are in:
Congrats to "Stan the stair man", DeWalt's Top Carpenter
Great Job, You deserve it Buddy!
BRAD
Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Stan won! Stan won!!!! I'm jumping up and down in my seat for ya!Way to go! I never comment in your posts because mostly someone always beats me in saying.......awesome..........beautiful...etc. I always think that though and I do keep up with your projects! Congrats! You deserve it!!!
Fantastic! Way to go, Stan.
Way to go Stan.
Can't tell you how happy I am for you.
I am so happy that somehow this turned out the way it did.
Congratulations.
Everyone,...to save on my typing...I posted my thankyou in the Stan Wins thread that somebody started.
God..this is a rush. Thanks so much to everyone for OUR win.
Stan
Great job Stan, when do we get a look at OUR tools? Vince Carbone
Riverside Builders
Franklin,NY
Vince- I will post some pictures of them,,,they told me they shipped out today.
Stan
wow, Stan.
your stairways are works of art... beautiful craftsmanship!
A very deserved win for you! congrats.
It's 5:00 somewhere! I wanna know now! :(
Yes there are a few. My division has about 700 employees. We make high speed continuous drop ink jet printers. These are used in large paper transports. The current technology can print over 1500 feet per minute.The company was formerly Mead Digital, Scitex, Versamark, and Kodak Versamark. A lot of work has been farmed out to our plant in Wuxi China, but we are still hanging on, and still making money. We are developing new technologies, but I expect Kodak to produce the product in Rochester or overseas.
I forgot to say that I did see you on TV.
Very nice job on the built-in cabinets and the documentation (pics and videos).
Welcome to BT. There's a great cast of characters here with their eccentricities and abundant knowledge. Hope you stick around.
A question for you... I watched the video of you using the track saw, but I didn't notice you clamping the track to the workpiece. Did I miss it or were you able to make that cut without clamping?
Thanks, She can opperate most of my tools except the tablesaw and bandsaw. that more because of her size and reach.
Tracksaw: Thats one of the beauties of the tracksaw, you don't have to clamp it down in every case. The bottom of the track has non-slip friction tape on it and the downward force of the plunge keeps it in place. Just don't get a bunch of dust under it. It is exactly how I showed it, no smoke no mirrors.
Brad
welcome to bt,brad . you hang around here much and you'll end up in the tavern watch out a bunch of seedy characters that just got released from internet prison.
great project you have,one night i'm looking at it and coment to my wife that you even made your own elctrical covers. great attention to details. larry if a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
thanks for the warning Larry, and the compliments.
Outlet covers: I was never able to find a good, store bought match for my projects. So, long ago I decided to make my own. With a few simple jigs it's easy. I can knock out a dozen single plates in a very short time. I also have a jig for double and triple ganged plates as well, they take just a little longer. Another thing I did, but not pictured (didn't get it up in time) was turn wooden buttons for the dimmer switches. they look far betterr the the plastic, bone colored ones.
Brad
Edited 12/13/2008 9:37 am ET by SawdustShoppe
As you can tell we are pretty avid Stan supporters around here. It is kind of a group project. But since you are here now I threw one of my votes over to you today. Thanks for showing up.
Stick around! Learn how to post pictures and show us how you made those outlet covers.
I'd be happy to share that, there's really not much to it.
How do you post pictures? tried the "Attach Files", didn't work.
Another Welcome here.
After you figure out how to attach pictures I hope you'll show the dimmer switch knobs too. Be interested to see how you drill and then attach them to the switch stem. Pressure fit? Small set screw?
Thanks
oldfred
Dimmer button: Presuure fit, I also snipped off a little of the end so they don't stick out as far, but still travel far enough to click on.
Shelf: channeled a groove for the wiring in upper section, quiuck and dirty, but large enough to fish wire back through, if for some reason the light were to fail (doubtful)
Thanks.
Ok something must be up with the pictures, the won't upload. tired of trying for now.
"O.k. Stan, I know we agree on $10's a compliment, but i'm running out of money"
so let me get this straight,every compliment stan gives you ,you pay him 10.00?
now i don't feel so bad knowing stan has some income to pay me my 3.00 a day to vote. i knew the money had to be coming from somewhere and it wasn't his helicopter fund!
after sunday i'm not sure where my income is going to come from,i hear in Illinois a guy can make pretty good money selling senate seats,maybe i'll give that a try.
how do you report that on your income tax form?
line 17,income from selling senate seat xxxxxx.xx
if a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
Edited 12/13/2008 5:08 pm by alwaysoverbudget
Here's 1 of 2 cherry Cabinet projects I did recently in florida.
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Edited 12/13/2008 6:55 pm ET by SawdustShoppe
Brad- Beautiful work! That just reinforces what I am about to say. I am putting on a final blitz for all 17 of us finalists. There are only 20 hours left of voting....and everyone....projects like Brads, mine, and many others need to be seriously considered as we enter this last voting day.
The contest will be over for 16 of us 17...and will be just a beginning for the winner.
Lets all go to http://www.dewalt.com/top17 and boost along your favorite person that you want to win this thing.
Stan
Stan,
Which NASCAR Race are you taknig me to?
Brad
Stan,
Which NASCAR Race are you taknig me to?
Brad
Hopefully Lowes Motor Speedway in Charlotte.
That way y'all can tour a bunch of the race shops here in Mooresville.The best reward for a job well done is the opportunity to do another.
Brad,
I too want to say hi and welcome to Breaktime. I'm very impressed with your work - very impressed to say the least. Attention to detail is huge in my book and you turned a new page for me as a young finish carpenter still working hard to perfect his craft. Both you and Stan had the two top jobs in the contest in my opinion and are hands-down the winners.
In any case, welcome and don't be a stranger.
Nick
Squash,
"Attention to detail"? That's nothing you should see custom guitars! LOL.
Seriously, thanks. It does make the difference, My clients are typically impressed with the extra detail, which of coarse It makes it easier forthem to right that check.
Brad
Attention to detail, any one notice one Dewalt website, read small white text above the contestant pictures............when does the voting end?
Edited 12/15/2008 4:43 pm ET by SawdustShoppe
You click the attach files button. Then select your file to upload in the browse window. Then you have to hit the upload button. Then wait, wait, wait, until you see it listed at the top of the page. You can then upload another file or select done. You won't see it show up in the post but if you select preview you can see the attachment. Oh that's a big picture. You can then open the picture in the preview, copy it and then paste in in the message by going back to the revise view. Or just leave it as a link. Someone will come along and tell you a better way but this works.
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Welcome Brad you will find many Buckeyes on here myself included (chillicothe) by the way I stole your outlet cover idea as soon as i seen it :) but you still aren't getting my votes :)
http://www.dewalt.com/top17
Bump
Friendly reminder to keep it fresh
If Stan wins, I smell protest...
Tracy
#34
View Image Today, 03:38 AM
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Mike Heidrick View Image
Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Bloomington, IL
Posts: 90
Something is up. I have proxied pictures saved of me at 8 blades and him at 5. Site went down and back and now I have seven and he has seven. Crazy.
__________________Pictures of the Hobby Farm and Shop are here. Pics updated.
Good luck. I can't even see how his project falls within the rules as written.
Dewalt has a lot of issues with this one.
The main thing is that there is no way that Stan's entry could possibly be considered outside the scope of the contest, and it is pretty clear that he belongs in a top ranking spot.
It's funny to contrast the two projects. Stan does exquisite work with the most basic of tools, while Mike does the most basic of work, with one of the most exquisite home shops I have seen.
For the most part he didn't even use the dewalt tools provided while stan used them almost exclusively. If I were dewalt I know who I would be sponsoring. I'd think about using Stan for all my ad material.
Edited 12/10/2008 6:25 pm ET by TomW
Edited 12/10/2008 6:35 pm ET by TomW
http://www.dewalt.com/us/top17/finalists.aspx?projectID=109
Go here to vote.
Caught the pix of F-tool stuff. For those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
In hind sight, it was to get the guys on the Festool site to vote for him.
No mistake at all.
Proves he went into this with questionable intensions.
Will be interesting to see what happens. Will be alot of attention of a shat project if Mike wins. After it all settles, he may rue the day he entered.
I bet he'll / his project will be a memorable negative for a looooooong time among his peers (or those he wishes were).
"If I were dewalt I know who I would be sponsoring. I'd think about using Stan for all my ad material. "I've been doing some thinking along those lines - that if I were the Dewalt marketing guy and considering building an Ad campaign based on this contest, and had to choose only one, I would need to know from the corp heads which is my target audience - who do we plan to design and market our tools to? if professionals primarily, then stan wins hands down, bnut if we want to go after the much bigger slice of the market in DIY family guys with cute kids, I'd be making use of the guy with the cute kid and dummy up the ads around his lack of skills.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
well now i just don't like this mike guy,check out the tools in his shop, no guy messing around in a 2 car garage should have that many tools.well unless it was me....
i mean whats that sawstop saw run 4k?
if a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
I will keep ringing the same bell through Sunday. Everyone.....spread the word about this competition. Please post on as many sites as possible....but please follow my simple requests....
Please dont ask anyone to vote for me....I want this networking giving equal opportunity to all 17. Ask everyone what I have asked from day one. Go to http://www.dewalt.com/top17 and look at all the fine projects and vote for the one that you think best defines top finish carpentry.
This type of networking is then shared by all...and I am confident my project will stand on its own...it better..,.its a stairway! ha
Stan
Edited 12/10/2008 8:13 pm ET by StanFoster
Edited 12/10/2008 8:13 pm ET by StanFoster
i think dewalt is just sitting on the votes and going to talley them up sunday,stan and mike have both been locked in at 7 blades for 3 days.
makes no sense that 1 blade represents less votes than another,who made up these rules?the stooges
if a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
Yeah, and while Stan and Mike have been hanging at 7 each, a few of the other contestants have been moving. Seems like they should have shown progress a long time ago. Is this election being tallied in Florida?
Brad, everything is hard the first time.
Now you got it.
Wait till this guy called sphere sees those. He's a guitar building officianado.
A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
It'll be a pc of cake the next time.
A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
last day to vote,lets all get our 3 in. then we can go to the tavern and wait for the results. i here stans buying!
we've all talked about it before ,but what a weird site dewalt has, you telling me that mike or stan either one have picked up a blade for 3 -4 days? whats up with that.
if they ever have a contest for the best trim carpenter with a chainsaw and ax ,i'm going for it.
if a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?