Getting GOOD advice

[mickr]

I have been enjoying this website for quite a spell..and I think maybe new folks could use a tad of help to understand that the answers they get many times are opinions and not necessarily fact. There are people who appear to give answers & opinions and it is clear they don't know beans...then there are folks who have great knowledge and share it freely.. The question then for newbies is : WHO to trust? I pondered this for quite awhile and maybe this will help...Go to the person's gallery pictures..if their pens are worse than yours, you might not consider their info valuable..If they are telling you how to turn a bowl and have no nice bowls posted, you might blow by their advice..Pictures will tell you the skill and abilities of the person who is advising you...:biggrin:THIS IS MY OPINION:biggrin: and I hope it helps those who are feeling their way in a new hobby

 

[GaryMadore]

.. so I guess I won't take any advice from you about dogs

hee hee

Cheers!

Gary

 

[rjwolfe3]

So for those of us who don't post any pictures, you are saying we have no skills?

 

[altaciii]

.. so I guess I won't take any advice from you about dogs

Ouch! Now that was below the belt. Funny, but low.

There are many different ways to do things. What works for me may not work for someone else. How does one learn unless he trys everything until they feel comfortable with what they are trying to accomplish.

 

[stolicky]

This was too funny to wake up to. (see dog in avatar)

What if people just don't have any photography skills?

In all seriousness, I agree that people looking for advice and ideas on how to do things should do adequate research. When I am trying to figure out how to do something, I always try to research it as much as possible. If I find that there is a general consensus on how to do it, then I make my decision based on that.

I do think that you might be on to something about people that are willing share their opinions (i.e. advice) but do not share many examples of their work. I guess its something to think about, huh? I guess I better check out my photos... : /

 

[DennisM]

So for those of us who don't post any pictures, you are saying we have no skills?

LOL

Ya guess that is what it means, so you should just take all of yours and send them this way, I mean cause by that definiton all must be bad and I will gladdly use them for "parts" LOL


Good post over all but looking for just pics to judge ability is very limiting. Not everyone Posts in a gallery.

Also just because I might not have a great looking pen does not mean I do not know the proper way to do something. My ability might not be that to pull it off but I just may know exactly how to do it.

 

[Monty]

So for those of us who don't post any pictures, you are saying we have no skills?

I agree. I do lotsa pens and lotsa sales, but have very little time left to take picts and post them.

 

[wood-of-1kind]

Do not judge a book by its cover. OR Do not judge a 'turner' by his pictures, especially if they choose not to 'show' in pix.

 

[jleiwig]

I don't think that anything relevant to post count or number/quantity/quality of photos has anything to do with knowledge or experience.

We have some members who are quite successful/famous etc in the pen turning community who are too busy to either post much or take pictures, but when we can coax them out of hiding it a great boon to the many members here.

Also, your definition of quality posting material might be different from everyone elses, or the person posting may just not have a way with words.

All in all the best bet is always to research your options, read as much as you can, and ultimately try as many different ways to do things as you can since there are many ways to skin a cat so to speak.

This is what I did when learning my CA finish. I watched videos, read the forums and followed tutorials to a T, and then used a hybrid method of all of them combined to perfect what works for me.

 

[wolftat]

How many times has it been written "no picture, never happened". I personally find the best thing to do is find several methods and see what works best for me.

 

[KenBrasier]

OK, OK, I'll keep my opinions to myself until I get a chance to post Pic's.

But frankly mickr's post is right on the money [well, maybe except for that picture thing]. I love this sight and have learned a great deal in the very short time since I joined. Also I am trying a lot of different procedures, but I doubt I do any of them the way they were described here. I pick and choose what will work for my style and adjust as needed, that the beauty of the knowledge inbedded in this site........

 

[mickr]

So for those of us who don't post any pictures, you are saying we have no skills?

Now you know that wasn't what I said..I was really trying to help newbies to feel their way..If you don't post, you don't..that's OK ..it's personal choice..it was just a method to use on the site to give newbies a sense of what is going on...you all have a right to disagree, and I sense you all took it personally..it was not meant for people who know thier way around a pen mandrel..it was for folks who are lost and wanting a way to judge the advice they are being given..

 

[mick]

To quote a rather famous....or would it be infamous? song...."Don't ask me no questions....I'll tell you no lies"

 

[Daniel]

I actually have to agree with Mickr on this one. Given that a person has no other information about a persons skill and it's relationship to their advice. Photos are at least one form of evidence to help wade through the information they will receive. This is not at all saying that only good turners post pictures. in fact it is probably true that most of the best don't. But until a new member can gather that sort of information photos are a good fall back. basically the photo gallery is one more tool to help steer folks around. and agin it is quite common to hear "No photo, didn't happen"
I also realize that the written word is often a poor way to teach. I have taught several people to turn hands on in my shop. I show them how to do something as well as give them some examples of how they can change the effect they are getting. will hand them the tool and even by all apperances they do exactly what I did and get different results. it has to do with very small details, how they are gripping the tool. how and in what direction they apply pressure, small differences in the angle they hold it at or other things like that. really hard to explain in writing and impossible to see on the internet. I always like to see tha advice to chuck up a piece of scrap wood between centers and practice before even trying a pen. that is how I went about it when I had no advice of any kind to go by.

 

[DennisM]

Best advice to a newbie is to READ, WATCH and TRY.

The Liberary is the best single source of information and Videos to help anyone..

 

[David M]

i agree also , but not 100 % . that would be a good to start but there is nothing like hands on experience . someone can tell you to get a good , smooth cut to use a skew and practice . with out knowing to use the edge like a knife some will hold it flat and use it like a scraper . i do agree that someone with expertise can teach / show better than someone that hasn't

 

[mickr]

I actually have to agree with Mickr on this one. Given that a person has no other information about a persons skill and it's relationship to their advice. Photos are at least one form of evidence to help wade through the information they will receive. This is not at all saying that only good turners post pictures. in fact it is probably true that most of the best don't. But until a new member can gather that sort of information photos are a good fall back. basically the photo gallery is one more tool to help steer folks around. and agin it is quite common to hear "No photo, didn't happen"
I also realize that the written word is often a poor way to teach. I have taught several people to turn hands on in my shop. I show them how to do something as well as give them some examples of how they can change the effect they are getting. will hand them the tool and even by all apperances they do exactly what I did and get different results. it has to do with very small details, how they are gripping the tool. how and in what direction they apply pressure, small differences in the angle they hold it at or other things like that. really hard to explain in writing and impossible to see on the internet. I always like to see tha advice to chuck up a piece of scrap wood between centers and practice before even trying a pen. that is how I went about it when I had no advice of any kind to go by.

Thank you Daniel..of course a great tutor is the absolute best, and this site could be called a "tutor" ..with all the tutorials and help folks givwe one another..a great site...but as with many internet forums, the info can be just fantastic & helpful or horrible and downright dangerous...my intent on the post was to help newbies have a quick and dirty way to help them..it was not intended as THE ONLY WAY..just one of many that could help

 

[TellicoTurning]

Best advice to a newbie is to READ, WATCH and TRY.

The Liberary is the best single source of information and Videos to help anyone..

My opinion (for the worth of it and it's definitely worth what you paid).. best teacher I know is trial and error.... read other's techniques.. whether good or bad, watch as many videos as you can and turn as much wood as you can find... I've been a member of this forum for about 3 or 4 years and have read almost every post... some work, some don't ... doesn't mean the post is irrelevant just means it doesn't work for me.

Anyway, Mick, I understood what you were suggesting.. we all needed some measure of deciding what advice or ideas would work for us and which would not... beside, I really like to look at the pictures... it's surprising what I can learn by studying the pictures. For what it's worth, my album disappeared when the forum switched formats... don't know where it went, but haven't put anything back yet... maybe one of these days. I spend enough time just keeping the web site pictures up to date.

 

[just_call_me_dusty]

Most people learn in one of three ways. Some learn by reading, some learn by watching others. And then some of us just have to learn by peeing on the electric fence.

 

[mickr]

Most people learn in one of three ways. Some learn by reading, some learn by watching others. And then some of us just have to learn by peeing on the electric fence.

:wink::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin: loved your post..great humorous response:biggrin::biggrin:

 

[skiprat]

Most people learn in one of three ways. Some learn by reading, some learn by watching others. And then some of us just have to learn by peeing on the electric fence.

:biggrin::biggrin:

My problem is that as I get older, I need to wee more often:redface:

 

[mickr]

My opinion (for the worth of it and it's definitely worth what you paid).. best teacher I know is trial and error.... read other's techniques.. whether good or bad, watch as many videos as you can and turn as much wood as you can find... I've been a member of this forum for about 3 or 4 years and have read almost every post... some work, some don't ... doesn't mean the post is irrelevant just means it doesn't work for me.

Anyway, Mick, I understood what you were suggesting.. we all needed some measure of deciding what advice or ideas would work for us and which would not... beside, I really like to look at the pictures... it's surprising what I can learn by studying the pictures. For what it's worth, my album disappeared when the forum switched formats... don't know where it went, but haven't put anything back yet... maybe one of these days. I spend enough time just keeping the web site pictures up to date.

Yep, we have some of the best penturners available to us 24/7 by looking at their gorgeous pens and some very good bowl turners also..why not use it as a resource? Hope you will have time to repost your pictures..

 

[just_call_me_dusty]

Thanks. Sarcasm is just another free service I offer.

 

[mrcook4570]

While it is certainly a place to start, photos are not necessarily a way to judge whether or not someone knows what they are talking about. With proper lighting and background, it is possible to make a below average pen with cracks, out of roundness, and pitiful finish look astonishing. On the other hand, it is also possible to make a superb pen look below average if the photographer fails to produce good results.

 

[jkeithrussell]

If the person posting doesn't know the difference between "there," "they're," and "their," [substitute "your" and "you're" at your discretion] then it's safe to assume they also don't know anything about penturning. Always watch for proper grammar -- it leads to all real knowledge.





Just kidding. The real way that you can tell is by experimenting. If the suggestion works, then maybe the poster knew what he was talking about. If not, move on to the next idea. I've never looked at the photo galleries of the people who have helped me the most on IAP.

 

[wolftat]

We each have our strong points and our weak points, just because someone can get a sharp edge on a skew doesn't mean they know how to use it.

 

[larryc]

If the person posting doesn't know the difference between "there," "they're," and "their," [substitute "your" and "you're" at your discretion] then it's safe to assume they also don't know anything about penturning. Always watch for proper grammar -- it leads to all real knowledge.

Yeah, that really tics those of us who really like to pick our favorite instrument, the nit!

 

[fernhills]

:biggrin::biggrin:

My problem is that as I get older, I need to wee more often:redface:

And i thought that was just me..Carl

 

[bitshird]

We each have our strong points and our weak points,[size=+2] just because someone can get a sharp edge on a skew doesn't mean they know how to use it.[/size]

Neil, What's a Skew???? is that the thing I use to open paint cans with?:biggrin::biggrin:

Actually, I use so many different techniques, I've tried so many different ways of doing pens, that I have come to the conclusion that there is no right way! the best ways are the safe ways, this is one of those hobbies that much like in life. when you stop learning, it's over and time to lay down.

 

[Displaced Canadian]

I hear that putting a bigger charger on the fence can cure the having to wee more often issue.

 

[tim self]

Would someone tell me how on earth I can "learn how to hold a skew or scraper" by looking at a picture of a finished product? Isn't that kinda learning how to build a car by going to the showroom at the dealership? I admit my pictures are seriously lacking compared to some others but I can screw up a pen blank as well the next guy.

 

[TellicoTurning]

Would someone tell me how on earth I can "learn how to hold a skew or scraper" by looking at a picture of a finished product? Isn't that kinda learning how to build a car by going to the showroom at the dealership? I admit my pictures are seriously lacking compared to some others but I can screw up a pen blank as well the next guy.

Surely Tim you can tell that the pen was cut at a 6 1/2 degree angle on the skew by looking at the picture.... :tongue::tongue::tongue::biggrin:


Mickr, that was tacky of me.. I apologize.. it's nice to look at the pictures posted, but again, the best way to learn any of this is trial and error... experiment, and don't be afraid to fail.

 

[Wildman]

Just shoot me, posting opinions and no pictures!

I think everyone posting on this message boards is offering up opinion of facts. If you want truth, whole truth, and nothing but the truth go to bible study. Woodturning is more art than science. Besides hand and eye coordination skills, you need a bit of luck along the way.

Yes, people on this message board made of up everything from walking hoe handles to road scholars. Some folks more full of themselves than others. At the end of the day, it's all about hand and eye coordination skills attacking wood mounted on a machine traveling fast.

Mickr, went to your gallery. Hope you're happy now. What you call bowls looks like flower pots to me! Other than bowls some pretty impeccable craftsmanship.

 

[Daniel]

And then some of us just have to learn by peeing on the electric fence.

You brought back memories of my younger brother doing just that. just about the time i started to say hey remember the fence runs through that bush. he found it for himself. not nearly as funny in that moment as it is now though.

 

[Marc Phillips]

Chevy Chase said it best....

"I'm going to give you a little advice. There's a force in the universe that makes things happen. And all you have to do is get in touch with it.... stop thinking.... let things happen, and be the skew".

 

[tim self]

You brought back memories of my younger brother doing just that. just about the time i started to say hey remember the fence runs through that bush. he found it for himself. not nearly as funny in that moment as it is now though.

I didn't warn my younger brother, I talked him into peeing on the fence:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

 

[wolftat]

I don't think my fence is working right.

 

[bitshird]

Just remember that all the advice given here is worth at least as much as you paid for it and some times a bit more.

 

[Displaced Canadian]

About pens or electric fences?

 

[bitshird]

About pens or electric fences?

I used to be able to get my son to check the fences, but even he finally learned, he'd call one of the horses up to it, funny thing is, I could only get my daughter to do it one time.
But she won't turn pens.