27/10/2025
This was a floor I was involved with in the USA, where I was one of two teachers. It had reached a point where the students couldn't fix the floor. I was then asked by my good friend Patrick to take over. I made all new jigs, as the first ones weren't made by me. So, I made a new jig for the diamonds, but not before setting up the compound saw. It was three degrees out and had a two-degree tilt. Then, I personally ripped down all the pieces and set my new jig to recut all the diamonds. Once that was done, all the shuttle boards had to be redone as well. New maple was ripped 2 mm thicker, and I then milled them all down to size with the thicknesser, using a pair of digital verniers. Then, I set up another drop saw to cut the shuttle boards. At this stage, the students were left to have another go. Two hours had passed, and they couldn't finish or get the floor laid. This was expected, as none had done parquet to this level before. I was then asked to lay the body to get the parquetry installed, as it was three days behind schedule. So, I installed 80% of the parquetry myself, leaving out a few bits for the students to have a go and get photos. To me, this means I did the install. My good friend Patrick J. Russel did all the border work. By the time it was finished, it was late. The next night, Pat, the work animal, was up until 3 AM putting a second coat of Procoat on the floor.I did enter this floor into the Australian Floor Awards, unaware of the school rule and overseas rule, as I was told by an ATFA official that it just had to be within five years. As the ATFA has no screening process, it slipped straight through. I have been honest and transparent the whole way through the process and never lied about it, as I didn’t know any different. The ATFA bends rules all the time with awards that should not be given, but I got nailed. It was the best floor of the night and was only completed because I was there. There was a post saying this as well. I am very disappointed in both ATFA and some members with some defamatory comments made to myself. I have helped many members around the country with my knowledge, which I have spent thousands on to learn. This will happen no more.
