Replies

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | May 30, 2009 05:38am | #1

   Will,

   If the word following the a/an begins with a vowel, it's an.

   I'd get the Elgin fixed.

   Regards,

   Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

1. 
   Jimurock | May 30, 2009 05:58am | #2

   Bob,

   "If the word following the a/an begins with a vowel, it's an ."

   That rule used to be followed fairly strictly, even sometimes when the vowel was preceded by "h" , as in "an herb."  Americans may still say that, but Brits don't -- they now say "a herb". But both say "an honest man."  Nowadays if there's a "y" sound at the beginning of a word, the "an" isn't used, e.g.  "a ukulele."  I guess what's easiest to say wins out over the "rule."  Getting confused myself,

   Jim

1. 
   WillGeorge | May 30, 2009 06:40am | #6

   I think I understand.. My Mother was from the USA and raised by this wonderful woman from the UK.. I call her mom! My mother never hurt me but not ever a mother.

   My Britt nanny was my mother.. She, I think, was a good friend of my mother.. She never told me why she put up with me as a baby.. Or put up with my mother.. Maybe just met each other in a London bomb shelter?

   I love my mother that never got over my fathers death in WWII. I think she was 16 years old at the time.. She drinks alot to this day...

   And I think my nanny was about 18.. I survived and I love em both!

2. 
   WillGeorge | May 30, 2009 08:13am | #12

   If the word following the a/an begins with a vowel, it's an ."

   That rule used to be followed fairly strictly, even sometimes when the vowel was preceded by "h" , as in "an herb."  Americans may still say that, but Brits don't -- they now say "a herb". But both say "an honest man."  Nowadays if there's a "y" sound at the beginning of a word, the "an" isn't used, e.g.  "a ukulele."  I guess what's easiest to say wins out over the "rule."  Getting confused myself,

   You remind me of my school days!

   And some wonderful text to think on!...So much to know and I all I asked was about a watch~

   Edited 5/30/2009 1:47 am by WillGeorge

2. 
   WillGeorge | May 30, 2009 06:22am | #4

   Thanks..

   If the word following the a/an begins with a vowel, it's an.

   And at my age I have to remember what a vowel is!

2. 
   user-189774 | May 30, 2009 06:07am | #3

   Take a look at http://www.klockit.com

   Jay

   "Quality is not only right, it is free. And it is not only free, it is the most profitable product line we have". (Harold S. Geneen)
1. 
   WillGeorge | May 30, 2009 06:26am | #5

   My reply.. I did that and many choices..

   Why I asked for opinions from those that have one. Not objecting to your thoughts~

3. 
   Tinkerer3 | May 30, 2009 07:34am | #7

   Well, at this point, it seems you aren't getting too much practical help so I'll chime in.  I have settled in on the Timex watch.  Very accurate = had one for about five years and was never able to tell whether it was running fast of slow.  You can get them for about twenty to twenty five dollars and because I do rough work the case or band usually gives up before the mechanism.  I don't use the fancy stuff and leave it on Eastern daylight savings time.  For an old timer, two hundred dollars would probably outlast you quite a while.  I don't know what it is about atomic clocks but I have three in my shop, the big one, that I use, keeps correct time, the second one is one hour, to the minute, slow and the third one is three hours slow!

   
   

   ---

   Edited 5/30/2009 12:38 am ET by Tinkerer3

1. 
   WillGeorge | May 30, 2009 08:00am | #8

   For an old timer, two hundred dollars would probably outlast you quite a while.

   I sure hope so! I do NOT want to live forever!

   Maybe till the battery dies in my new watch?

2. 
   saschafer | May 30, 2009 08:01am | #9

   You have to set them to the correct time zone. The one that's one hour slow thinks that it's in the Central Time Zone; the one that's three hours slow thinks that it's in the Pacific Time Zone.-Steve

1. 
   WillGeorge | May 30, 2009 08:09am | #11

   Central Time ..  I live there!

1. 
   Tinkerer3 | May 31, 2009 05:10am | #16

   I could just send it to you except it would look kinda big strapped to your wrist.

2. 
   Tinkerer3 | May 31, 2009 05:09am | #15

   But they both had the right time for a while and then changed themselves without my doing anything to them.

   Edited 5/30/2009 10:15 pm ET by Tinkerer3

1. 
   saschafer | May 31, 2009 05:45am | #17

   Then someone (or something) else caused the time zone setting to change. My atomic clock did that when the batteries got low.-Steve

1. 
   Tinkerer3 | Jun 01, 2009 04:06am | #22

   Well, I don't think it was a person who changed it but I can envision the the batteries getting low.

   Edited 5/31/2009 9:13 pm ET by Tinkerer3

3. 
   WillGeorge | May 30, 2009 08:07am | #10

   Well, at this point, it seems you aren't getting too much practical help so I'll chime in. 

   Thank you and I am me and did not expect much.. Just some kind words like yours!

4. 
   Taigert | May 30, 2009 10:42am | #13

   Will,

   I wear a Casio G-Shock, it's made well, cut out of a piece of Stainless Steel. I have had it since 2003, and never a problem. It's Solar powered so no batteries to replace. It's extremly accurate. Some time in the middle of the night, it syncs with one of the main Atomic Clocks. Some one had posted the following web address:

   http://www.klocit,com

   They have then same watch as I have, I think they sell it for about $115.00.

   Taigert

1. 
   WillGeorge | May 30, 2009 11:50am | #14

   Thanks I was looking at them,,

   I just ordered the

   http://www.atomicwatches.com/XG-55-LaCrosse-Compass-Watch-with-Altimeter-p/83188.htm

   I need that Altimeter... I drink way too much and need to know if I am too high!

   Edited 5/30/2009 9:23 am by WillGeorge

5. 
   DonfromUtah | May 31, 2009 07:12pm | #18

   Well, Will, I'd throw in my 2 cents but I haven't worn a watch since I retired 11 years ago.  Probably a Freudian thing!  I will admit, though, that, for health reasons, my wife is somewhat insistant that I carry a cell phone; the clock on that thing is certainly adequate for any time-queries I may have.

6. 
   PeterDurand | May 31, 2009 08:17pm | #19

   I bought this one about a year ago and love it.

   http://www.amazon.com/Casio-Waveceptor-Atomic-Ana-Digi-WVA430J-1/dp/B001870P3Q/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=watches&qid=1243789890&sr=8-3

   It is light powered (60 watt bulb lighting will do to keep the battery charged) and it syncs with the US standard 3 times a day. (time, day, leap year, daylight saving etc) If you are not in the US or Japan, it keeps accuracy to about 5 seconds a month.

   Hope this helps.

   Cheers,

   Peter

    

   Better life through Zoodles and poutine...

7. 
   bones | May 31, 2009 08:46pm | #20

   You can't beat the elgens.  My mother had one that came out on Sunday's only.  Why I don't know, but we all loved that watch.  I have it in a box as a keepsake.  I myself always like the Seiko watches The best was titanium kinetic.  I've had trouble with watches my whole life.  One will just not keep good time on my body.  I can set it put it on a desk come back check it a week later and its fine, put it on my arm and it will loose time.  The Seiko was the only one I could find that was able to keep time.  I'm not a jewlery person, so eventuall with the carry of a cell phone I quite putting one on.  Now I have a blackberry/phone and have no need for a watch.  Good luck on the quest but if you get into a good watch place and can try on the titanium do it.  It feels like nothing on your arm. 

   The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.' - Renaldus Magnus
   

8. 
   jabe | Jun 01, 2009 01:51am | #21

   I have a Stauer atomic wrist watch. Cost about $100 I think. They are a pain!! If they dont pick up a signal (depending on where you are and whats in the way; Mine doesnt keep good time and is clunky to where. If you keep getting a signal it runs great. The best "time keeper" I have is a Hamilton military watch I bought in BJ's  It keeps in sync with my wall mounted Atomic clocks to the second.

                                       Regards

                                        Jabe

1. 
   PeterDurand | Jun 01, 2009 06:14am | #23

   I will swear by the Casio. You can bring up information to see if and when the update has been successful. As long as you more or less point the face in the general direction of Denver during the night it will work automatically. Or you can manually direct it to update anytime. But it has to be off your wrist (steady) for updating. I think that that is because it uses VLF or ULF frequencies for that function.Cheers,Peter 

   Better life through Zoodles and poutine...

9. 
   Napie | Jun 01, 2009 07:17am | #24

   I collect, trade and generally dabble in watches.  Real time pieces have springs and are wound either manually or automatically by motion of the wrist.  I don’t have much in that price range but look at the Hamilton Khaki series, nice for the money, but I would have the Elgin fixed if I were you.  If you hanker for something Swiss, contact me.  Good watches hold their value better than just about anything you can buy.

10. 
    mr_kramer | Jun 02, 2009 06:11pm | #25

    Damn! If you have had a watch from your wife that has lasted that long, by all means get it fixed. I was given a big fancy watch as a gift with lot's of bells and whistles, but as I've gotten older, I can barely see the micro dials anymore. Better stick with old faithful. Besides, momma might get all giddy with you if she finds out that you took the trouble to fix that old watch. ;-)

1. 
   WillGeorge | Jun 03, 2009 12:15pm | #26

   I was thinking and have to state... I did have it repaired and cleaned .. Maybe in the late 1980's? It is pretty scratched up.

   I like most mechanics are pretty hard on watches. I always took it off if I was doing something that required 'hammering' and I was one of the 'nuts' that wore my watch on the 'wrong?' wrist. Some people told me that at times. Right-handed and I wore in on my left. Less likely to get knocked around.

   Have not decided what watch to get. Maybe I'll get my old grandfathers pocket watch fixed but I'm sure that would cost way more than getting a 'new' or my Elgin fixed.

   I 'think' grandpas' watch is in a safe-deposit box? I have to find it. Not sure what brand it is but I know it has a 'real' gold case and it opens up like the pages in a book. Several stages of opening to access different sections.

   I am 'lookin' into all the suggestions.

1. 
   saschafer | Jun 03, 2009 04:01pm | #27

   "Right-handed and I wore in on my left."

   That's the normal way.

   -Steve

    

1. 
   WillGeorge | Jun 04, 2009 04:04am | #29

   That's the normal way. LOL LOL not for me~

   I always lifted my right hand to see the time and then I would have to lift my left hand and turn my head!

    

11. 
    tomwalz | Jun 03, 2009 05:23pm | #28

    Take a look at the wooden watches while you are looking.

    http://www.carbideprocessors.com/store/tensewatch.html

    I am still looking at atomic watches myself.   Be interested in hearing what you decide. 

     

    Tom 

12. 
    Dave45 | Jun 04, 2009 05:34am | #30

    In the late 60's, I had one of those Bulova Acutrons (with the visible works) and a really nice Seiko (black face with gold hands and numbers). In the mid-70's I had a few of the digital watches, but quit wearing them because my life has never been so tightly organized that I needed to know the time to the minute. - lol

    I quit wearing watches (and I've never worn rings) by the late 70's and don't miss them at all. Almost every appliance in the house has a clock (the kitchen is a real PITA when when we change time twice a year), and the radio in the truck always displays the time. If it's really important, I can whip out my cell.

    I've had a $30(?) Timex for about 10 years that I put on 2-3 times a year if we're going out, but it spends most of it's life on the nightstand being an hour off about half the year. - lol

1. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Jun 04, 2009 07:01am | #31

   I have a $16 Casio battery powered I have had for 3 years. I had the same Casio for 8 years before the plastic band broke and I replaced it with the newer one. It's in a basket on my vanity and still running. It has lost 6 seconds in 11 years. I prefer the 50 meter water resistant so I don't have to take it off in the shower.

   The current one has lost 1 second in 3 years. I figure the main difference between my Casio and a Rolex is about well... $2000 +. Have I missed something in the calculation? ha.. ha... ha..ha..ha..

   Sarge..

1. 
   derekcohen | Jun 04, 2009 08:48am | #32

   I would repair the watch given to you by your wife, if this is affordable. Its sentimental attachment is more precious than anything else.

   Of course, unless you are needing to keep appointments or monitor time (as I do for work), then a watch is not such a big deal.

   And if you are disorganised, the chances are that you will not look at the thing anyway!

   How accurate does a watch need to be? Mine probably loses 3-5 minutes every day..  an old and "automatic selfwinder".

   My preference is for analogue over digital. It is much easier to monitor, and easier to read, especially if the face is simple. As you get older a black face with large white numbers (or dots) is preferred to a digital .. which I cannot read unless I put on my glasses!

   Regards from Perth

   Derek

   Edited 6/4/2009 5:45 am ET by derekcohen

1. 
   WillGeorge | Jun 04, 2009 12:24pm | #35

   And if you are disorganised.. LOL

   Only when trying to find my tools! And I only need my glasses to see the keyboard I am typing on! Ok if things are at least four foot away. I think that about a Meter away or so...

   Edited 6/4/2009 5:27 am by WillGeorge

2. 
   philip | Jun 04, 2009 12:23pm | #34

   "I figure the main difference between my Casio and a Rolex is about well... $2000 +. Have I missed something in the calculation? ha.. ha... ha..ha..ha."
   Yes, you are about $3000 short. And you need to acquaint yourself with what constitutes a good watch. (Hint: quartz watches came and went, the original mechanical watch making industry almost collapsed while this was happening, but is now back bigger and better than ever before) .
   (;)(;)Philip Marcou

1. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Jun 04, 2009 06:12pm | #37

   I admittedly have not looked at the price of a Rolex in about 25 + years and it was around $2500 at that time which IMO was well over-priced for my needs then. As far as what constitutes a "good" watch.. I will pass as I have a "good" watch that cost $16. To me what constitutes a good watch is the fact I can submerse it in water daily without damage.. I can rack it against metal power tools and wooden benches without damage.. and it loses no more than 6 seconds in 11 years which is not as much time as I wasted over the same period of time. :>)

   I carried my grandfather's gold cased pocket he got when retiring with the Southern Railroad for years. I did box it in Vietnam and went to a cheap Timex divers watch which was subjected to much abuse.. water and mosquito repellent which will ruin one. I purchased a Seiko in Tokyo and broke the crystal face within one week. I wore my fathers Elgin and broke the band catching it on something. Those two things steered me away from more expensive watches as I am prone to hang out among objects that can destroy one easily enough.

   I purchased a Casio in 1984 to take on a snow skiing trip to know when to meet people for lunch. Plastic band.. underwater to 50 meters and it loses no more than a second a year which is acceptable to me. I break the band before the watches battery will expire but.. I drive around the corner to purchase a new one at that time. I paid around $14 for my first Casio and paid $16 for my current one knowing I can get another for less than someone would pay to go to a movie with a date.

   That is my definition of a "good watch" or at least as good as I will ever need. Just a month.. date.. day of week and the correct time with the ability to live underwater if I chose. Don't get any better than that regardless of bells and whistles.. ornamentation  or precision works that are hand built.. 11:10..55 AM now.. Thur.. 6/4/2009..  as I just looked at my Casio which told me everything I needed to know.. ha.. ha... ha..ha..ha..

   Have a good day Phillip...

   Sarge..

   Edited 6/4/2009 11:15 am ET by SARGEgrinder47

1. 
   Napie | Jun 05, 2009 06:19pm | #38

   The real difference is that if you bought a Rolex Submariner for $2,500 in 1985 you could have used it for 20 years and then sell it for $3,300 today.  There are precious few things you can use every day and sell it for a gain after that amount of time.  Plus it is a true heirloom that can pass down through the family and continue to gain in value.<!----><!----><!---->

   If a watch is just a watch then a hand plane is just a hand plane…. <!----><!---->

2. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Jun 05, 2009 06:54pm | #39

   Frankly Napie... I didn't have $2500 to spend on a watch in 1985 and.. even if I did I probably wouldn't have. IMO.. there are better investments over a 20 year period that would yield more than a $700 profit. As far as heirloom... I have my grandfathers gold pocket watch which was passed down to me after it was given to him at retirement from the railroad.

   It is not an expensive watch even though it does have a gold case but.. it is an heirloom to me not because it is a precision instrument or the case is gold. It's an heirloom because it was my grandfather's personal watch and I grade my grandfather's character.. stamina.. determination far more than a man-made object. The watch does what a watch is supposed to do... tell time. That is all I personally require of a watch.

   The same principle with a hand-plane. I sold a LV 4 1/2 and an LV 6 and replaced them with Anant's I had to fettle a bit. Both were excellent planes but... I used the difference to purchase a few other tools I really needed. The Anant's work great after fettling and adding a decent iron. All I require of a hand-plane is for it to do what is supposed to do.. plane wood.

   Same scenario... I see a hand plane as a simple tool in a man's hand. You cannot under any circumstance's determine the quality of a piece by the type hand plane that was used. Take two pieces side by side... one built with a low quality but tuned plane.. the other with a high quality.. beautiful.. and a more substantial priced plane... You cannot determine which was made using either if they were done by the same person.

   I think the true value is the hand's of the person building those pieces as you can put about any quality tool in the hands of someone skilled and they will find a way to achieve a superior result. So IMO.. the value goes to the person who tunes and guides the plane.. not the plane itself as it is nothing more than a tool with no real soul and cannot perform any act without guidance from a person.

   We all have different values and expectations Napie... as evidenced in how you judge..  and I judge a watch and hand plane. I don't believe either view is right or wrong.. just a difference in values .. expectations and choices by an individual as I see it.

   Regards...

   Sarge..

   Edited 6/5/2009 12:02 pm ET by SARGEgrinder47

3. 
   Napie | Jun 05, 2009 09:12pm | #40

   And that is what makes America great!

4. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Jun 05, 2009 10:10pm | #41

   Couldn't agree more, Napie. Ain't it great..... :>)

   Sarge..

2. 
   WillGeorge | Jun 04, 2009 12:21pm | #33

   because my life has never been so tightly organized that I needed to know the time to the minute. - lol

   I love it.. As in your post...

   I never worried about time either but then I started babysitting and need to get 'back in time' for Mom to pick up the children!

   Sad and a happy day yesterday.. Last Official week long of babysitting for me. Both China Girls in School next year! My, how time goes. Five years have passed?.. I think..

   Both are Devils and Little Ladies! I hope I helped with both sides.

13. 
    philip | Jun 04, 2009 12:24pm | #36

    Will, let me see a picture of this Elgin watch....

    Philip Marcou