- Joined
- Nov 21, 2012
- Messages
- 793
My father and mother were refugees and came to Australia in the 60's. My father was a good student but had to start full time work when he was 14 to help support the family. He worked in the building trade as an apprentice framer, then completed an apprenticeship in cabinet making while also completing his education in diesel and petrol mechanics. He went on to complete his certification as a master builder. He is a resourceful guy and always had a lathe, grinder, drill press and a multitude of other tools.
Despite being a lousy teacher and somewhat short-tempered, I used to stand at a distance and try understand what he was doing. This was how I learned the basics of machining, brazing, welding, carpentry, mechanics and prototyping. Since we lived on a farm and were self sufficient, it meant that we needed to repair and build most everything we needed to have to keep the farm running.
When I was dating my wife-to-be, I explained to her that in time, I will buy all the tools I need to be somewhat useful to the community I lived in so it was no surprise to her when we moved to Norway that I began to save and accumulate machines and tools. Living in Australia, it was very difficult to find old iron in good condition. Most everything I had seen came from the Asian market or was so expensive I couldn't afford it. Since moving to Norway, I have managed to put together the workshop of my dreams with small industrial grade machines. I have also had the chance to play with machining projects and repair these machines.
I owe it to my dad who inspired me to be a useful person who can think out of the box, be resourceful, dependable and never allow a situation to beat me.
Paul.
Despite being a lousy teacher and somewhat short-tempered, I used to stand at a distance and try understand what he was doing. This was how I learned the basics of machining, brazing, welding, carpentry, mechanics and prototyping. Since we lived on a farm and were self sufficient, it meant that we needed to repair and build most everything we needed to have to keep the farm running.
When I was dating my wife-to-be, I explained to her that in time, I will buy all the tools I need to be somewhat useful to the community I lived in so it was no surprise to her when we moved to Norway that I began to save and accumulate machines and tools. Living in Australia, it was very difficult to find old iron in good condition. Most everything I had seen came from the Asian market or was so expensive I couldn't afford it. Since moving to Norway, I have managed to put together the workshop of my dreams with small industrial grade machines. I have also had the chance to play with machining projects and repair these machines.
I owe it to my dad who inspired me to be a useful person who can think out of the box, be resourceful, dependable and never allow a situation to beat me.
Paul.