[AT] OT Barn floor question

[George Willer]

Carl,

I understand the reasonably part well, and agree that the well part usually 
applies.  The unfortunate part is that in spite of their German heritage 
(like mine), that alone is not enough to assure a workman's skill.  I've 
been a woodworker and contractor all my working life and as a sideline have 
built museum quality antique reproductions.  I've been called upon to 
re-construct poorly designed and poorly executed furniture that people can't 
understand why it failed.  Their idea is that since it's Amish it must be 
the best???  It *can be*, but taint necessarily so!

Maybe you can explain to me why something would be marketed as "Amish 
firewood", or "Amish cheese"?

George Willer

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Carl Tatlock" <carllary at surfglobal.net>
To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Monday, October 18, 2004 5:58 PM
Subject: Re: [AT] OT Barn floor question


> Cecil E Monson wrote:
>
>>> At the risk of offending many... Why Amish?  I know they are hard 
>>> workers, but there are others with better skills who can and will build 
>>> exactly what you want.  There are even some that aren't of the WASP 
>>> persuasion.
>>>
>>> Why choose a workman based on his religion?  Or why not?
>>>
>>> George Willer
>>
>>
>>
>>     I think it is a good question, George, and shouldn't offend
>> anyone. In our area, most people consider contacting Amish or Mennonites
>> to build farm buildings (or do repairs, such as re-nailing roofs, etc)
>> as they are known to charge less than most local contractors.
>>
>>     My oldest daughter and my SIL, who live in the Finger Lakes area
>> in western New York, hired Amish to build a pole type construction garage
>> several years ago. They came as a family, a father and two or three of 
>> his
>> sons, and built a very nice 2 1/2 car garage in week's time. They were 
>> not
>> unknown in the area and were known for excellent work and low prices. 
>> They
>> started work in mid morning after their chores were done and left in mid
>> afternoon to do the evening chores. My daughter and SIL were not 
>> disappointed
>> and feel they saved several thousand dollars.
>>
>>     My father and a friend of his, both retired farmers, did this type
>> work for years after he quit farming and moved to town. He loved being 
>> out
>> and around and doing this type work. They charged a lot less and worked 
>> at
>> their own pace. Sort of like the Amish and Mennonites do today. The money
>> wasn't as important as leaving something behind for when he was gone - so
>> to speak. Sadly, an accident while doing soffits and fascia on a new 
>> house
>> resulted in his death in the late 1960s. People still say to us 
>> sometimes,
>> "You know, your father built my machine shed." or something similar. So 
>> he
>> did leave something behind.
>>
>> Cecil
>>
>> Cecil
>
> To Cecil and George:  One of my daughters lives in Amish country is 
> Catteraugus County NY a few miles from PA.   If you want something done 
> reasonably, and well, crafted in wood such as furniture or buildings-- 
> or if you want repairs to furniture or quilts or  carpentry done--"Go to 
> the Amish."   It is not about religion-- it is about attitude:    Some of 
> the American  principles of the 1850's are still alive and well in the 
> Amish communities.   They treat "the English" (non Amish) very honestly 
> and well.    They do good work for their pay.   There are enough Amish in 
> her community that there is a shed for horses as the local small-town 
> "supermarket".
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