I miss thechemist

[Concordia...41]

Researching a painting issue, I came across this...

http://www.woodenboatvb.com/vbulletin/upload/showthread.php?t=6188&highlight=fairing+topsides

Nothing Earth shattering, just a typical post.

[Nanoose]

"Way back when..." we were just lurkers, we were very impressed with the chemist, and he kept us returning for more info. We too were very sad when he left. Anyone know why?

[Concordia...41]

Why? I wish I knew...

I recall him posting that he was taking a sabbitacal for a couple of weeks. Seems like he was gone way longer than that and then turned back up for a bit. Then Poof :(

[The Bigfella]

IIRC he got sick of the bickering that occurred up top - and it was in the days before the bilge. I also seem to recall someone who was blatantly pushing his own epoxy products, which I think got up his nose.

Maybe "someone" sent something to his boss ala the Joe and Tyler incidents?

[htom]

I miss him too, and hope he's doing well.

[Nanoose]

"...the Joe and Tyler incidents."

Tyler who?

[The Bigfella]

"...the Joe and Tyler incidents."

Tyler who?


Sorry, Mark

[Bill Perkins]

The loss of the chemist was a huge loss for the forum. It's interesting to think that had the Bilge been established he might still be posting . Hadn't thought of
it.

[JimD]

If this thread is going to be about a member or former member it should not be in building repair.

[Concordia...41]

I started the thread to highlight a well-written piece on the differences between gloss and flat paints.

[S/V Laura Ellen]

I started the thread to highlight a well-written piece on the differences between gloss and flat paints.

So where do you plan on using flat vs. gloss paint?

[Concordia...41]

I was searching for information on what to use as a fairing compound or high-build primer to level the low spots on the topsides - (all however many hundred of them) - where the paint was sanded down to get to the bungs. :eek:

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p25abca914d773c6891ba011d30a88b4f/e90d522c.jpg

All the work that still has to be done is overwhelming, but I'm so excited that there's enough progress that I'm even looking at issues like fairing the topsides that filling and sanding hundreds of spots just doesn't bother me. :) :D

[Rick Starr]

I miss him too. He was immensely helpful, usually without any bitterness at all.

He DID get into quite a row with Dave Carnell at one point, making it his business to discredit the guy. He went poof not too much later.

[Bob Cleek]

I have my strong suspicions about the Chemist's identity, based on circumstancial evidence, as it were. I believe we know one another, but he has never revealed his "alter ego" identity to me, so I can't say for sure and that's fine with me. If my suspicions are correct, his absence from the forum would be understandable. The Chemist knew (knows?) more about the chemistry of marine coatings than anyone I've ever met, except for this other fellow I know. LOL I would guess that he just got tired of posting carefully researched answers to our chemistry questions and getting flamed for them by know-nothings. Simple as that. Can't say I blame him.

[FSS172]

Here's what I use to fair a finish in a situation like yours where you have sound paint on the boat that you're going to keep but are down to bare wood around the fasteners. Start by hand or power sanding the bare spots and an area of old paint around them with 120 grit then spot prime the bare wood. I like Interlux Pre-Kote as a high-build primer; I like the way it fills and sands. After the spot priming dries hand sand the primed areas with 120 grit. If you sand through to bare wood, reprime and sand again; the compound you'll use next must be applied to paint, not bare wood. Next fill the low spots with autobody glazing compound which you get at car parts or auto paint stores. Note that this is NOT Bondo or any other brand of polyester body putty. Glazing compound comes ready-to-use in a tube like toothpaste, is a creamy consistency, and is much cheaper than 'marine' fairing compound. It's also usually a dark color. This will be useful for gauging the remaining coating thickness during subsequent sandings. It air dries by evaporation so don't apply it more than 1/16th inch thick even if that doesn't level the low spot on the first pass. It's got to be put on thin so the solvents can escape quickly. If you put it on too thick it'll crack, won't dry properly, and will slow down the job overall. Put on thin, it dries very quickly. If possible, apply in the shade, and don't apply to hot surfaces - it'll dry so fast it won't adhere properly. Apply it to an area and move on; don't try to rework it once it's applied. It sands so easily it's not worth taking the time. Once you've worked your way around the boat, the stuff you applied first will probably be ready to sand. Now longboard the whole hull with 120 grit and reglaze any remaining low spots. Repeat until the surace is fair - that is the longboard is sanding evenly everywhere leaving no spots untouched. Then prime the entire hull and sand with progressively finer grits until the primer is as smooth and fair as you want the final finish to be, and becoming transparent, but at no point down to bare wood or compound. You can use very thin coats of glazing compound between prime coats to fill sanding marks and further fair the hull. Sand first, glaze, sand again with the next finer grit. Once to this stage, you'll be sanding away almost all of the glazing compound except whats left in the sanding scratches and any small remaining low spots. Wetting the hull with water will also reveal any spots that you may want to fair further before moving on to finish coats.

[Hughman]

I have my strong suspicions about the Chemist's identity, based on circumstancial evidence, as it were. I believe we know one another, but he has never revealed his "alter ego" identity to me, so I can't say for sure and that's fine with me. If my suspicions are correct, his absence from the forum would be understandable. The Chemist knew (knows?) more about the chemistry of marine coatings than anyone I've ever met, except for this other fellow I know. LOL I would guess that he just got tired of posting carefully researched answers to our chemistry questions and getting flamed for them by know-nothings. Simple as that. Can't say I blame him.


Call his butt up and tell him not to let the turkeys win the game! Let him know there's a redhead on his dance card. :D

[few3]

I googled some type of epoxy question years ago, and this forum and one of The Chemists threads was linked. He had a lot to offer, and I appreciated his information. He needs to come back here.

To "The Chemist":

If you are reading this, chime in, you are being summoned.

I have a question also.

[sdowney717]

You have to have a thick skin if you post on this forum.
And be prepared to be maligned and your advice ridiculed, especially if it does not follow typical wooden boat dogma and doctrine.

So, dont let it get to you, you know you know better than they do what you need to do, and if you dont so what, you are simply learning.

[Tom Robb]

I miss him (her?) too.
Wasn't he part of The Committee? Perhaps they have him working under cover on some super secret project - cold fusion or the like.

[Dave Carnell]

My biggest complaint with The Chemist was hiding behind anonymity, while I was completely transparent. It eventually turned out that she was an academic with no industrial practical experience. I don't remember exactly how I ferreted that out; the years fog things. Anyway, that's "the rest of the story".

[Tom Robb]

As I recall, "She" explained chemestry/chemical reactions, not how to build boats. As I understand it, that's what chemists do - chemestry.
And there's lots here who use handles. I've no idea why.
Anyway, I still miss "Her."

Tom Robb
At least that's who mom said I am.

[Don Z.]

Why does it make a difference if a chemist is a he or a she? Do female chemists know less chemistry?

[JimD]

She's been spotted:


http://images.google.ca/url?q=http://images.jupiterimages.com/common/detail/50/26/23212650.jpg&usg=AFQjCNGummJy7IXy0QQjhWsWbjt9cax1fg

And again, after a trip to the hair salon:

http://www.wichita.gov/NR/rdonlyres/DE7793B7-73F5-40B1-A607-DC0CCA56F34D/28246/chimst1.jpg

Hard to tell it's the same chemist. Imagine if she wore a fake beard.

[The Bigfella]

And there's lots here who use handles. I've no idea why.



The reason is that some folks get bitter and twisted - some would say unbalanced - and decide to extract revenge or whatever else they feel is appropriate against forum members.

I used to post under my initial and surname "igatenby" until Wild Wassa started going ballistic and posting my full name along with a whole heap of slagging off if I ever questioned one of his postings - typically those where he would label honorable people as fascists, etc. I think its pretty obvious what his intentions were. At that point, I decided that rather than cause risk to the forum, I would change my login.

At least three people on this site who post under their own name have had items sent maliciously to employers / spouses, etc. Such behaviour shows a close genetic link to slime. There has been some speculation as to who has done this - and just to be perfectly clear, I do not in any way believe that Wild Wassa has done so - but the fact that he continues to post individuals names and go off at people who also post under their own name in a derogatory fashion shows that everyone should exercise some caution.

In answer to your question, I would say - Why should people expose themselves to the inadequacies of others?

[Hughman]

My biggest complaint with The Chemist was hiding behind anonymity, while I was completely transparent. It eventually turned out that she was an academic with no industrial practical experience. I don't remember exactly how I ferreted that out; the years fog things. Anyway, that's "the rest of the story".

The Chemist's' posts were academic, and were well written, adding a wonderful dimension to the discussion. I have to assume the information was accurate, not having enough background to critique. While most of us can read instructions on the can, It's good to understand the molecular mechanics. Practical application of material/processes are part of a forum discussion also, no need for acrimony in a civil debate.

If the Chemist is/was a "she" it's understandable the desire for anonynimity on the internet - especially given the 'kitchen politics' in an academic environment.

[pipefitter]

Well,apparently,he /she had no close bonds here or this thread wouldn't be necessary.

It had been said since the early days of public internet,not to disclose your real name if possible.If I had such a trusting relationship with someone on the inet,they would know who I am. It isn't that hard to find out anyway but what difference does it make? I have met quite a few people from the inet IRL and they knew who I was.

On the other hand,if someone could take the information here and cause credibility damage to ones family and work or where they hang out,their credibility is iffy anyway. If someone called my boss or my family or friends and told on me for what I said on an inet forumn,they would get laughed at and hung up on and possibly told to get some help or razzed into submission.

I figured the handle gives a bit of information beyond a name. A pipefitter. Some people know right away they don't want to associate with a rogue weldor so it saves a whole lot of time and disappointment.

[The Bigfella]

I figured the handle gives a bit of information beyond a name. A pipefitter. Some people know right away they don't want to associate with a rogue weldor so it saves a whole lot of time and disappointment.

Apparently my new one has been misinterpreted by some and regarded as pretentious or something similar by one in particular. Their problem - not mine.

This place is, in general fairly egalitarian, like most of the world. Hey Pipefitter - you'd accept a beer from a Big Fella wouldn't you? Gentle Giant just doesn't have the same ring to it. :D

Re The Chemist - I only ever had some slight misgivings over the whole glycol thing - I believe there may have been a misunderstanding of how the concept worked in practice (drench with glycol, dry, then epoxy) as I seem to recall discussion about mixing glycol with epoxy and epoxy and water, etc. I did some backyard tests - and I was more than happy.

[pipefitter]

Yes Bigfella,I'd take the beer and figured you meant well by it.

As far as the glycol thing,I do remember that. As far as Dave Carnell's suggesting of it,he seemed pretty right on with all of his other information concerning epoxy and such,had quite a bit to do with chemicals in his background with a large chemical corporation and managed to make a career of it. Why wouldn't I give the information a try? He didn't seem the type of person to weigh his credentials/reputation against absurdities.
Even if the scientific manuals say otherwise,I find many cases where it has never been tried or tested.

In welding,the data sheets for weldable alloys, shows anodized aluminum as unweldable and yet I have been welding it successfully for 20 years.The same papers that said it then, still say it now. And here's immediate proof that not only does it weld,but welds beautifully and without removing the anodized surface in the weld zone.
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l309/tigmaster/Picture022.jpg

[The Bigfella]

nice welding.

I've managed many a chicken poo weld in my time - and a few nice ones, but never anything that nice.

[pipefitter]

It keeps me employed and able to claim credit for the work while standing next to it at the local boatshows.

Some people ,cannot look outside the written laws, or see multiple,correct possibilities with science,chemistry or machinery or anything else for that matter. I'm not saying that about the chemist on this forum but I am sure everyone could think of a for instance that works inspite of it's founded correctness. Kind of like that old clorox bottle top with tape around it I had crammed where a freezeplug was supposed to be in my old Ford Falcon that would make it roughly 60 miles before needing to add more water.

I think some of the solvents/thinners used in epoxy paints and such contain ethylene glycol. Isn't that what antifreeze is? Interlux's 233N shows it as one of it's ingredients and it is the recommended thinner for their 2 part,epoxy primer.

Oh and,thanks for the compliment.

[Wild Dingo]

I figured the handle gives a bit of information beyond a name. A pipefitter. Some people know right away they don't want to associate with a rogue weldor so it saves a whole lot of time and disappointment.

Just so ol chap just so :cool: ... and why I use Wild Dingo :D Wild is gonna tell you Im rather manic madcapped and prone to tangents while surviving... Dingo cause theyre the ducksknuts of the canine world good lookin fit rugged survivors... ala me! :D :p

I really have never had any issue with people calling themselves whatever they chose really doesnt bother me... its a choice if you use your own name or anymouse youself... me I just get called Dingo anyway as its my nickname so why not use it... I guess I could have used something more relevant like "procrastinator extraudinaire" or maybe "Imgunnadoit whenIgetarountoit" but theyre a major gob full of words so Dingo it is... if anyone cared to want to know who I am or where I am its not difficult to find out... I guess some people hide behind their forumii anymouse title and that sorta worrys me a tad but not much maybe a gnats phart worth...

The chemist was who? who cared!! he/she gave good information 99.9% of which went way above this little black ducks head... but none the less it was information that added to the wealth of other information available here... I dont miss them as such but like others who have disappeared and moved on from the board they were a part of the fabric for awhile

I would miss Margo far more... I miss Ken McClure far more than the Chemist... I guess cause the chemist ONLY stuck to chemistry stuff the interest if you will that they held for me was personally minimal... while others Margo and Ken just for two have given offered and been a more multiportional part of the forum than just one single aspect and thus gave more of themselves rather than a side of them that was single focused and of limited worth (to me that is) knoweldge... they are people whos lives we have shared through different ups and downs the journeys the thing... share the journey become a close freind :cool: so Id miss Margo and Ken along with a bunch of others but Chemist? no I dont miss them... hell he/she was far to hard to bloody understand with all that chemical gobbledegook!!

Come go choice was Chemists... same with all of us

[erster]

LOL! There are textbook chemists and then there are real chemists, the ones in the field that actually know what works, too. Are those chemists missed? ;) Rarely to Never. But I still like Oysters as they have always been part of my chemical makeup. :p The meat and potatoes are in the labels;) no matter what marketing states by brand names across the tops of the cans. Oh how many blender chemists and N.A.s does it take to fix deck beams on Concordia sailboats?;) :p :D

[hokiefan]

Working in the process industry for 20+ years, I've worked with and around a lot of welders. Some were pretty good, and one was a magician welding stainless steel. We would have him do samples to show contractors what we wanted and they swore it was done by machine. But I've never seen work that nice in aluminum, most of it was what we termed a gorilla weld. Strong, but uuuuglyyyyyy!

Good stuff.

Bobby

[Bob Cleek]

I once suggested that anybody who hid behind a pseudonym was a wimp, but I guess that just makes us too vulnerable. Being somewhat of a public figure to begin with, I never much gave a hoot. One thing for sure, though, using your own name keeps you polite. There's always the chance somebody might come by and punch your lights out for real if you aren't nice! Maybe if everybody in here used their real names for a week or so, the level of discourse might improve. Didn't used to be like that. Most of the old timers in here do use their own names, or did.

[pipefitter]

One thing for sure, though, using your own name keeps you polite.

It does? Some folks version of politeness differs than others.In some cases,the use of one's name seems to grant license to the contrary from my inet experience.

I especially like the ,"we may be AH's online, but we're pretty easy to get along with IRL". I was always told that thinking is about the same as saying so might as well say it and get it over with and leave all that plastic politeness to politicians and salesmen.Politeness is not a harbor for contemptible thoughts.

[pipefitter]

Working in the process industry for 20+ years, I've worked with and around a lot of welders. Some were pretty good, and one was a magician welding stainless steel. We would have him do samples to show contractors what we wanted and they swore it was done by machine. But I've never seen work that nice in aluminum, most of it was what we termed a gorilla weld. Strong, but uuuuglyyyyyy!

Good stuff.

Bobby

Thanks Bobby. It's quite difficult to find show quality aluminum weldors that can weld anything out of the flat position. More times than not,we get a guy to try out with credentials such as boilermaker,pharmaceutical equipment weldor and what have you and I go to show them what we want,flip up the hood and they're gone without so much as a word. Tried out a guy last week and he practiced for 2 days. I was looking on from across the shop as he threw his helmet down and SPIT on the test piece and walked off never to be heard from again! LOL