It's been said before, but......

[Porschemaniac]

This really is, without doubt, the best forum on the web.

Recently, I have (to answer some questions for very boring work-related purposes only) needed to subscribe to an online forum for....there's no nice way of saying this......I.T. geeks!

You really ought to read some of the threads - and see some of the replies these people post; seems like there's a lot of people in the world with something to prove to either themselves - or someone else.

The contrast with the advice offered - and the way that it is offered here is stark.

Respect to all users of this forum for the fantastic friendly advice and for never feeling the need to belittle anyone - even when I do ask some pretty silly questions.

Long may this continue - Malcolm, you should be justifiably proud of having created a unique forum that has attracted a great bunch of people and undoubtedly helps many people out day in day out.

 

[malcolm]

I was thinking about the same thing today.

In particular I reckon the forum has changed the life of a number of members in a big way. They would have gone and changed their life anyway, but we helped and hopefully we gave them a bit of extra confidence and some support.

Others that stick around have improved their skills enormously - I shudder to look at my own posts on here 4 years ago. I'll probably shudder again in another 4 years. But I don't regret helping others out with the extent of my current knowledge.

Best bit is that members on here are genuinely helpful to other members and not full of themselves. I expected that aspect to go away as we grew, but it hasn't. We're still growing like mad as a forum and I'm expecting another rush over the winter when it's too cold to do anything in the workshop. It's wonderful that new members are joining in with the spirit of the place.

 

[Ratty]

I'll second what Porschemaniac says, I'm hardly a welder but I've got loads of useful advice about all sorts of things, so many people so fantastically helpful and knowledgeable in many areas (including computers!). In fact whenever i have a query these days about anything this is almost my first port of call (and often when it isn't I wished it had been, soooo much quicker than googling!). I even frequently learn useful stuff that I didn't realise I needed to know.
Not to mention the good natured banter and general light-hearted humour to lift the spirits on a boring day.

You really have fathered a well rounded child who improves with age Malc and all praise is well deserved

And of course big thanks to all the hard working mods who keep the peace

 

[Nomad]

I hadn't thought about it, but it's a very good point.

Top marks for all concerned. As a newbie here I have had great advice about equipment, my welding, even which suppliers are best in my area

Out of interest, I use a handful of other forums and one of the few I have found that is so supportive is run by/for motorcycle racers. They are another group who are very generous with good advice, and I can't remember seeing any one-upmanship or personal attacks on there (plenty of heated debate but it's normally fairly civilised. Oh, and lots of general lunacy on stupidly fast bikes on racetracks )

ps. there's nothing wrong with IT geek forums - in very small doses

 

[shenion]

Yes, this forum has been a great asset. One of my old arc threads just got woken up recently. I have come a long way thanks to help from forum members. Arc used to be frustrating, now it is a tool I enjoy. My MIG has sat mostly idle.

If you remember the thread where i got the 3 "beast" welders. Arc/TIG I considered out of my league. A few tips from here and I was on my way.

Good work Malcolm, woz, Hitch and other moderators. Have seen them nudge people back on topic

Yes, this forum has changed my life. Would have got my little Clarke going on my own and it would have been just another tool. Now, welding has become more than just a hobby.

 

[macmig]

i'd just like to say how good this forum is too
even tho i dont post much i do spend alot of time reading threads and trying to learn a bit more about welding/fabrication
in fact ive been trying to get a work based placement as a welder/fabricator with no luck as yet but i'll keep trying.
so keep up the good work folks

 

[SC_BK]

This is a great forum, I love the projects section, might not reply to many threads but I'm reading and stealing ideas

Infact took inspiration from someone else's work yesterday, will have to start my own thread tomorrow to show you what I've been making

 

[Caledonian]

Agree 100% with all of the above. I've been lurking here every day since the beginning of the year, it is amazing what you learn, thanks all

As soon as I build up the courage to get that TE151 out of the box, expect to hear a lot more from me Maybe even my own project thread

Cheers,

Jack

 

[Robotstar5]

I've probably been spoiled then as this was the first forum I joined (late starter!) took me a few weeks to find my way around and learn how it works.
Since then I've joined a few others, but this one is by far the friendliest and as prevoius posts you can get an answer to almost any question or at least some humerous responses 'til some one turns up with the answer!

Well done Malcolm, the mods & contributing members

 

[Porschemaniac]

I'm hardly a welder but I've got loads of useful advice about all sorts of things, so many people so fantastically helpful and knowledgeable in many areas (including computers!). In fact whenever i have a query these days about anything this is almost my first port of call (and often when it isn't I wished it had been, soooo much quicker than googling!). I even frequently learn useful stuff that I didn't realise I needed to know.

Very true Ratty. If it weren't for this forum, I would not have thought of / been able to do a lot of things.

Thanks to the fine folk on this forum, I have a twin compressor setup, a better understanding of what makes a good weld than I would ever have got on my own and (arguably) even used the advice that I got here to get my poor old 944 (God rest it's soul) through it's last MOT.

In fact, I spend so long perusing these fine pages that my wife (who would rather while away her online hours exchanging pointless thoughts on a certain well know social networking site) tells everyone, "all he does with the Internet is look at that welding forum". More fool her.

In fact, I have learned so much about welding here that when I took delivery of a new tool (quite literally today) I looked at it and was able to diagnose undercut on a couple of the welds and thought to myself, "need to reduce the power a bit there, fella!".

Love seeing other people's projects, also. Pictures are good and, thankfully, there are a good few people on here who know how to get them online.

Top, top work.

 

[snowcat]

This forum is certainly very different to many, mostly its down to the lack of bickering..... Members with high post counts on many forums have a prefect at school mentality and love to attack/ignore or belittle new members, I certainly hope that this doesn't happen here....Theres also many that have removed all there off topic sections to stop members arguing, being racist, on there soapbox or becoming *****, I do hope this never has to happen here.....

working on the site adding Sections, Tutorials and genuinely staying interested in the site is a credit to you Malcolm....

It doesn't matter what level your at theres always plenty to learn, and this is a site where any question can be asked, and normally answered....

 

[chap]

It suprised me when i came back relatively recently to find how the forum had grown, but it still has a very down to earth attitude and is so polite.
A real enthusiasts place i think

 

[eil]

I would like to echo others praise of the forum and as English is my second language I find it difficult to sometimes get it down in the written word what I really mean without causing offence and have noticed several dare I say international members that contribute but aren't criticised for their lack of English, the ones that have tried have been reminded of that fact in a tactfully way., as well as the varied engineering disciplines from welding massive digger buckets to repairing central heating boilers. Well done to the mods and of course the members.

 

[Angusdog]

Ditto ditto ditto - a BIG thanks to all those who make it possible.

On the downside, my productivity at work has dropped as it's become one of the forums I have to check out at least once a day. On balance, it's worth it (in spades).