Rifleman1776
Member
I haven't visited the forum for quite a while as my time has gone directions other than penturning. I still to do some so haven't abandoned the avocation or this forum.
Our local woodturning club has begun a project that I am very excited about and am trying to support. I'm just passing the idea on in hopes others may pick up on it and do the same. BTW, for the record, I used to belong to the club but dropped out because of scheduling conflicts but I still support them. Good club.
The club is roughing out pens and inserting the tubes. They then take the unfinished kits to the VA hospital and long term care facility in Little Rock, Arkansas. There the vets are turning and finishing the pens. Because of VA rules the vets must use only special turning tools that are not real sharp. What those are is a puzzlment to me at this point. The club has provided a couple mini lathes and others have been privately donated. One club member, a very ingenious guy, designed a lathe stand that can be accessed by someone in a wheelchair. Reports are it is a wildly successful project. The vets love it. Previously their days were filled with sitting and staring at the walls or tv.
I heard about it and volunteered to stabilize blanks for the club. I have stabled quite a few hundred. Most are spalted box elder which was quite soft and, otherwise, unsuitable for anything. With stabilizing they are making for some very pretty and unique pens.
Our local woodturning club has begun a project that I am very excited about and am trying to support. I'm just passing the idea on in hopes others may pick up on it and do the same. BTW, for the record, I used to belong to the club but dropped out because of scheduling conflicts but I still support them. Good club.
The club is roughing out pens and inserting the tubes. They then take the unfinished kits to the VA hospital and long term care facility in Little Rock, Arkansas. There the vets are turning and finishing the pens. Because of VA rules the vets must use only special turning tools that are not real sharp. What those are is a puzzlment to me at this point. The club has provided a couple mini lathes and others have been privately donated. One club member, a very ingenious guy, designed a lathe stand that can be accessed by someone in a wheelchair. Reports are it is a wildly successful project. The vets love it. Previously their days were filled with sitting and staring at the walls or tv.
I heard about it and volunteered to stabilize blanks for the club. I have stabled quite a few hundred. Most are spalted box elder which was quite soft and, otherwise, unsuitable for anything. With stabilizing they are making for some very pretty and unique pens.
