A Newbie Novice from NO.Calif.

[Cappyjoe]

:smile-big:I am a disabled vet from the Sacramento area of Northern California. I have been retired to a wheelchair since my legs decided not to do as I instruct them to. Well one of them, I am an Above Knee Amputee(AKA) whose other hip doesn't do as instructed . I have always loved wood working and since it would be a real chore for me to frame a house or build a kitchen: I thought turning pens would be a real neat challenge. I have watched several videos on the process and think it would possibly pay for itself. Any of you that have any ideas on a more complete shop than then beginning one shown in the tools section please let me know. I would certainly appreciate any you could forward to me. Thank You for letting this novice Join your Group !!

 

[firewhatfire]

welcome and and enjoy the madness.

Phil

 

[CSue]

Welcome Merritt.

I've been turning pens from a chair for quite awhile now. I don't know how your shop is fixed up. But I had an old kitchen table I cut the legs down on so I could pull my chair up under it. Face protection is more important in this case . . .


A few other links for you here:
This link has postings by different pen turners on what they wish they had known earlier:
http://www.penturners.org/forum/showthread.php?t=46654

This link will lead you to a great place to keep your eye on things. It's kind of a guide to the who, what, and whatever for of the IAP site.
http://www.penturners.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=3

Here is another link - a PDF on the acronyms used here. I am sure you know many but this will help with those you don't.
http://content.penturners.org/articl...9/Acronyms.pdf

 

[IPD_Mr]

Merritt - welcome aboard and I must say you are so very lucky to be in North CA. That area has one of our better local chapters that is very active and meets regular. Some really great people in your area.

 

[Longfellow]

Welcome

Welcome fron Sunny St. Cloud, Fla. Home of beautiful Florida wood.

 

[Jim15]

Welcome Merritt.

 

[rherrell]

Welcome!

Since my accident in '04 I have to use crutches to walk and can't stand for more than a few minutes. I sit at my lathe and do quite well, I also have a doctors exam chair on wheels that I use to get around my shop. I build all kinds of stuff, the largest being rocking chairs.
If I can do it, so can you!:biggrin::wink:

 

[rizaydog]

Welcome to the forum. I am sure you will gain lots of information here.

 

[Ligget]

Welcome to the IAP, lots of disabled penmakers onboard who can still produce awesome pens!

 

[ctubbs]

Merritt, thank you for your service to our country and welcome from far west Kentucky, to the addiction, sometimes referred to as the vortex. Be sure to give the library a good bit of time. The link is at the top of the page. You will find an article called Library Index. This covers tutorials on about anything pen making you can think of. You will also notice that there are articles listed by year. Much good info there as well. When these fail to answer your questions, by all means post it here. I have never seen one go unanswered very long. You might also want to give this thread a good look. It has some very good info for the beginning pen turner; http://content.penturners.org/library/general_reference/Getting_started_in_pen_turning.pdf. Grab some wood, make some shavings and have fun all the while being safe.
Charles

 

[rkimery]

Merritt, Welcome to the IAP from here in Southern Indiana. Enjoy the site