Help for a new turner

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K

kovalcik

Member
Joined
Jun 9, 2011
Messages
891
Location
Barrington, NH
I am looking for some help for a friend who I have been getting started in pen turning. He has some serious health issues that have hurt him financially. He has a small sortof lathe thing set up in his house. It is a small multi tool that a friend was able to convert to use a Shopsmith mandrel I had. No morse taper and vibrates like anything, but it will get him going. He also has a Shopsmith (pre-mark V) but cannot go down to his shop right now due to his condition. I have also set him up with a couple HSS chisels (gouge and skew), some slimline kits, bushings, and some Hut Crystal Coat. I have also been drilling, gluing, and squaring up his blanks. He would really like to be able to work on his own. A few of his doctors have waived their fees for him and he would like to be able to repay them in a small way by making them a pen. Would anyone be willing to donate some items to help get him going? I have included a wish list below:

A few pen kits and bushings. Kits that are good for beginner. I was thinking of the 7mm family (slims, trims, comforts, etc.). and sierra styles. He would really like to try a bullet pen or bolt action. I don't want to overwhelm him, but wanted to give him some different things to to work on.

Barrel trimmer.

And the dream item, a small carbide tool. He has no way to sharpen right now, so I think he would benefit from a carbide tool. Does anyone have one they are no longer using? If not, I am thinking of getting some cutters and making one for him.

Anything else you can think of that a beginning turner might need? He has a good supply of wood for blanks. He has done a lot of flatwork, but no spinny stuff until I started teaching him a few months ago.

Thank you in advance. I was hesitant to ask, but I have seen so many acts of kindness from the members here that I thought it was worth a shot.
 
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I'd be glad to send him some kits & blanks and a set of delrin finishing bushings - I don't have any extra kit bushings though. Just pm me with his address.
 
I may have a spare carbide tool I don't really use..( I'm a basic gouge guy ):rolleyes:...may have some extras...send me an address.and will root around:cool:
 
Tom,

I know I've got Sierra kits and bushings I can provide.

If your friend has enough wood, do you want some acrylic blanks?

PM me and I'll get them in the mail.

Matthew
 
Thanks for all the replies. I have sent out PMs. If I missed you, please PM me and let me know. I really appreciate this. He has limited means to start with, and the medical issues have really set him back, and he still has a ways to go. Please keep him in your prayers. I am sure being able to turn the pens will help keep his spirits up. It will also make him feel good to be able to give back to his doctors and others that are helping him. I was supposed to go over his place tonight but he was too tired from going to see his doctors today. Hopefully I will get over there this weekend for a little bit if he feels up to it.

Waluy: that is pretty amazing. Thanks for sending that. I missed it in the library. He can still use power tools, he just cannot spend a lot of time in his unheated shop. It is too cold and too far from the house. We were able to move his small lathe and some tools into a room in his house so he can at least do some work.

I hope no one minds that I gave my address in the PMs. I just felt it would be easier if I coordinate things. That way I can group things and make sure to fill any holes so he will not have to worry about figuring out what he has and what to do with the different pieces. If anyone does not feel comfortable sending to me, let me know and I will find his address and PM it to you. If anyone feels they need more of the story, I will be happy to provide as much detail as he told me via a PM. I just do not feel right putting it in a public post.

Thanks again.
 
Here is a great example of the generosity of the members here. Imagine being a new turner and getting a package like this! I hope to get it to him this weekend if he is feeling up to it. Hopefully I can get a picture of hi first pen.

Thank to every one that contributed.
 

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Tom,

Glad to help out. When and if your friend and you want to try two blank pens (Cigars and such), drop me a PM and I'll send out a small box.

Matthew
 
PM me the address and I'll put together a box of blanks and stuff. Anything in particular you need? I have some Robert Sorby friction polish, you can have some of that as well.
 
Update and Thanks

Because of his medical issues, I was just able to get the box to Gary tonight. To say he was overwhelmed is an understatement. He wanted to pass his thanks along to everybody. He could not believe that people that had never met him would be so generous.

He is waiting for a liver transplant and is in a nursing home full time until the transplant can happen. While the wonderful donations will not result in a pen for a month or two, they have already had a positive affect. As we went through the box we were talking about what we would be able to make once he gets home again. It was good to take his mind off his current troubles and look forward to something once he makes it through.

There have been so many threads lately demonstrating how IAP members are part of an extended family. You have proven this again.

Thank you
 
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