[CAUT] Black on Black... (Jack alignment)

Tim Coates tcoates1 at sio.midco.net
Thu Aug 9 08:39:14 MDT 2007


Hi Fred,

I did not feel I was doubting your respect for fellow technicians.  I  
am sorry if you took it that way.   I was only trying to point out  
Michael Wathen was giving credit where due (to Bill Garlick), but  
some how was ignored.   I was also pointing out how quickly we forget  
past important members of this wonderful trade.  I have always had  
the highest respect for you ever since I first heard your name and  
witnessed your interaction on a panel at the national PTG convention  
in Albuquerque.   I must admit I you look a little more tame now than  
you did back then, but I had a little more top hair than exposed skin  
then <g>.

My respect for you is also why I tried to state my disagreement with  
you in a frame that your method works for you and mine for me.  Hence  
the sentences "For me,  you are wrong about the rapid flick motion.    
But you can do that if you want.  You know what works best for  
you."   It is  important for us to disagree.   What works for your  
climate doesn't work for my climate.  I have drastic changes every 3  
months (sometimes known as money in the bank).   There are things I  
do to try to create jack slippage such as pushing the hammer below  
the hammerline while applying strong force on the key.  No one plays  
that way, but it sure helps to find the sleepers.   Turning the screw  
an 1/8 of a turn to find the "sweet spot" is more precise than a half  
a turn to who knows where.  But then we are back to the basic idea of  
where should the jack be aligned?   I think that could the basic  
question.  We have all been taught a certain alignment is the  
"correct" position.  But because of this thread there are opinions as  
to where the jack should be positioned.  That is good.

On a side note I had two actions in the shop yesterday that needed  
the jacks aligned.  I tried many of the methods discussed in the last  
few days, but for fine tuning it came back to a method based on what  
Bill Garlick showed Michael Wathen.   Again, that is just me.

Respectfully,
Tim Coates


On Aug 8, 2007, at 7:16 PM, Fred Sturm wrote:

> Hi Tim,
>     Just to make myself clear, I have the utmost respect for  
> Michael Wathen and for Bill Garlick. And for you, for that matter.  
> Doesn’t mean we can’t state opposing opinions. I don’t think there  
> is anyone out there deciding “who wins the game.” As I look at it,  
> we each present our own perspective, and we each have the  
> opportunity to learn from others. Maybe some day we’ll all agree on  
> everything, but I doubt I’ll live that long (or even long enough  
> for us all to agree on any one thing). Meanwhile, disagreement  
> doesn’t have to mean all out war <G>.
>
> Regards,
> Fred Sturm
> University of New Mexico
>
>
> On 8/7/07 9:48 PM, "Tim Coates" <tcoates1 at sio.midco.net> wrote:
>
>> Fred,
>>
>> I think if you re-read Michael Wathen's comments he attributes  
>> this method to "Garlick".  For those who are too young to  
>> remember, that would be Bill Garlick.    A person who used to be a  
>> very valuable member of the PTG.
>>
>> For me, you are wrong about the rapid flick motion.  But you can  
>> do that if you want.  You know what works best for you.  It's nice  
>> to have a good exchange of ideas without one person judging and  
>> insisting they have the only correct answer.
>>
>> Tim Coates
>>
>>
>> On Aug 7, 2007, at 7:13 PM, Fred Sturm wrote:
>>
>>>     I do like Michael Wathen’s method if it’s used for finding  
>>> cheating jacks. Very convenient not to have to hold your finger  
>>> or hand on each hammer. And I’ll suggest that a rapid flick  
>>> motion rather than a hard press is best to find those borderline  
>>> cases. Fast as you can, but not necessarily much force, will find  
>>> them best.
>>
>>
>

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