A lot of great ideas here. i had tried to reply a week or so ago, but had, at about the same time, met with some computer problems requireing hospitalization (computer, not me). It seems that there are many ways for individuals to learn, none of which seem to fit all. For me, i have always learned best thu trial and error. How many times have i watched intently at WW shows as the huckster of the moment goes thru his demo and spiel with such flambouyant ease and efficiency, that i am in awe and (sometimes) even forced into taking said product home to my own shop, only to meet with utter and total confusion. Many scraps later, i finally would come to terms with the tool enough to work within a certain moderation of competance that i can finally build something. With Festools, i have studied Work's and Christofferson's artful and very thorough reports, Lucas's most interresting demos and still find, at times, a lacking of total comprehension that leaves gaps only to be filled in with my own personal error packed experiences. It has been those errors that have produced the most profound learning.
I have hired many novices in my own daytime businesses. I have taught many teenagers how to do masonry as well as various aspects of landsscaping. the lads who really wanted to learn were taught using the approach that has taught me. I would give them a project. Give a brief demonstration (after many hours of safety training) of a skill, leave them alone for a couple of hours and then return. (this approach worked best with small construction projects) Invariaby, there would be be mistooks of which I would point out. after some discussion, we would tear apart that which had not been properly constructed. i would then spend whatever time was needed to demonstrate how it should have been done and then let them correct ttheir own mistooks. It was kind of expensive for me at times, but what the heck, I was teaching young boys/men. I have had the pleasure of knowing that atleast half a dozen men are working at the trade I began teaching them many years ago. Of the lads who got their first lessons in landscaping, a like number are either running their own businesses or working as management for companies far more advanced than my business ever hoped to be.
So, for me, the methods available, and used by others, are not necessarilly the best ways for me to learn. My way is by trial and error. I do appreciate all the info that has become available thru this, and other forums as well as the demo sites and even the few explanatory manuals. They all help. You all help. We all help. This is the gratest forum group.
Tinker
