HEY!!! New Members - HELP!!!!

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jeff

jeff

Administrator
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Joined
Dec 5, 2003
Messages
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Location
Westlake, OH, USA.
Hello new members!

If you joined in the last 3 months, I'm talkin' to you!!

We have recently had a tremendous influx of new members. In September and October of 2012, 632 new members joined us. Compare that with the same period in 2011 when we only gained 313 new members. I believe I know why that's occurring, but what I really would like to know is how we can be the best penturning site in the universe for you as well as our longstanding members.

Can you take a moment and tell us why you're here, how we can get you engaged in our conversations and activities, and how we can meet your needs, goals, and desires? Maybe these questions would be a good way to seed the conversation.
  • How did you find us and what motivated you to join?
  • What do you hope to learn, find, or share here?
  • What do you see so far that you like? Dislike?
  • What would YOU like from the site?
If you'd prefer to PM me rather than post, please feel free to do so!

Thanks - Jeff (IAP Co-Founder)
 
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
We send the following PM when new members activate their accounts.

Was it helpful? What extra information would have also been helpful to get you started?

Hello, and thanks for joining the IAP!

You've just joined the best pen making organization and community on the Internet. If you're a new pen maker, we promise you'll learn a lot and improve your skills. If you're a seasoned pen maker, we hope you'll share your knowledge and experience with us. Regardless of your pen making history and goals, we promise you'll make new friends and enjoy the camaraderie of our community.

When you visit our site, start out at the front page. We post announcements there, and you can see recent threads, the featured photo, and new articles.

Please stop by our Introductions forum and say hello.

Along with the busy Penturning forum, some of our more popular and active areas are Show Off Your Pens, Finishing, and Casual Conversation.

We have a very large library of articles and tutorials. Take a look at the index and the latest additions.

You can set up your account preferences by visiting your User Control Panel.

The IAP is managed by a dedicated team of volunteers who share a common interest in penmaking as well as a desire to help the IAP thrive and grow.

Please don't hesitate to contact me directly if I can help make your experience with us more enjoyable.

Best Regards - Jeff Brown, IAP co-founder
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OK, time to sweeten the deal! (Or resort to bribery, depending on your perspective!)

HATS OFF to anyone who responds. If you have been a member less than 3 months, and you post a thoughtful response here (or send me a PM), you might get a FREE IAP HAT. And you can't even buy those yet!

I'll draw 5 names from the new members who post here before next Friday Nov 9 and I'll send you an IAP hat. Postpaid! Free! Gratis!
 
I joined back in April so i go alittle further back than what your asking for but i thought i would still put my 2 cents worth in. I kinda stumbled into the iap through a google search on gmelia burl. I found a picture of this outstanding gmelia burl pen and read the comments twards it. After checking out the site and realizing everything i could learn from every one here, it was a no brainer. I HAD TO JOIN! Thanks to all for the helpful comments and thoughts of the few pens i've posted. your thoughts (possitive or negative) have without a doubt made me a better pen turner. Thats way i'm here and why i'm sticking around.
Thanks again
Kevin
 
Well Jeff said new member and I guess I fall into that category. I've been a visitor for quite some time and I've learned more about pen related things than I could imagine. I was looking through the forums one day and a box popped up that I could join for free with a link to get started. I have been thinking about joining for a long time but I guess laziness had a grip on me. Although money wasn't an issue the free part ment no credit card or transactions and with the link how hard could it be. So here I am enjoying all aspects of pen turning. As far as what I would like to get out of this website thats happening almost every time someone posts a new thread. Everyone may do the same type pens but we all do them differently. Some ways are easier, cheaper, or maybe faster or better. Some of these may be my way or others. The point of all this is to teach one another to be better penturners. I owe several on this site for ideas and techniques that really gave my hobbie a boost. Thanks to all. Kenny D.
 
Hi Jeff, I'm a little out of the three months time as well, probably more like 7 or 8 but I feel that I fall into the area that you are looking for. I had no interest in penturning, in fact I'm just about to start my first one, and feel very confident after watching Ed's 8 x HOW-TO videos last night. I was recommended to the IAP by George Valentine and have found the site extremely helpful and inspiring. My main turning interest has been bowls and other items, and it has been really good to share these and other's ideas with everyone. I live in a small town, pop 1450, and the nearest city is 100 miles away. I am also the only serious turner in town so I get a great deal of pleasure following the threads posted here. I feel that what you are doing is great and cannot think of anyway to improve.
Thank you so much.




Bob.
 
jeff said:
Hello new members!

If you joined in the last 3 months, I'm talkin' to you!!

We have recently had a tremendous influx of new members. In September and October of 2012, 632 new members joined us. Compare that with the same period in 2011 when we only gained 313 new members. I believe I know why that's occurring, but what I really would like to know is how we can be the best penturning site in the universe for you as well as our longstanding members.



Can you take a moment and tell us why you're here, how we can get you engaged in our conversations and activities, and how we can meet your needs, goals, and desires? Maybe these questions would be a good way to seed the conversation.
  • How did you find us and what motivated you to join?
  • What do you hope to learn, find, or share here?
  • What do you see so far that you like? Dislike?
  • What would YOU like from the site?
If you'd prefer to PM me rather than post, please feel free to do so!

Thanks - Jeff (IAP Co-Founder)
Click to expand...

Jeff, I recently retired at age 64 and decided to build a woodshop. I've always had an interest in woodworking and just wanted to spend my latter years doing some thngs I could really get into. I felt like pen turning would be nice to develop as a skill and dived into the challenge headlong.

I either go to Google or Utube when I want to do some research on a particular subject. I probably found the IAP through a link I followed! I joined and have been very excited to meet the folks here and just learn from them!

Woodturning is an entirely new endeavor for me. I've made quite a few chips with the tablesaw and planer over the years, but never made any with a lathe. I started out turning pens with a Craftsman lathe I purchased for $100.00 and couldn't wait to move on up to a better machine. I recently purchased a used TurnCrafterPro and really like it!

The folks here at IAP are friendly and have been very helpful. Nice bunch of Craftsmen and talented people on this forum. This is the only penturning forum I frequent! I haven't met anybody here, I wouldn't actually like to talk to in real life!

The IAP is a great place to learn from others! I can't actually contribute much at this time, but I feel welcome here, and will plan to do more in the future.

I honestly don't know how it could be much better!!! --Thanks IAP--
-----------Bobby Moyers
 
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Hi Jeff
I am 52 years old and until recently played video games as a hobby. I got tired of that after awhile. A lot of time spent with nothing to show for it. I started surfing to find something that interested me. I went to Youtube and stumbled across pen turning. I have watched many videos on Youtube about pen turning and have read many articles concerning it. Then I started searching for pen turning groups and came across IAP. I read many post and discussions. I observed the helpfulness and friendlyness of the members and decided to join. I havent turned a pen yet. Still getting equipment and supplies together.
I want to learn all I can about pen turning. How to turn kits and kitless, wood and metal and eventually create custom designs. When I am able to I would like to contribute to the community whenever and as much as possible.
So far I like everything I see. The only thing I dislike is the fact that there are no groups in my area. But hopfully that will change.
I would like to thank you and the team in maintaining the site. It is a Great Site with a wealth of knowledge and resourses
Thanks again,
Dennis K
 
I've always piddled around woodworking, but never had much time with my 2 kids in school and sports. My daughter married last year and my son graduated college so no more games to go to. i'm a firefighter and decided to see if I could make some side money doing woodworking. I'm spending more money than I'm making.:confused:My garage is so full that I don't really have room for big projects and then I bought a cheap lathe off craigslist. I thought I'd start small with pens and started to research online after previously buying woodworking books for other types of woodworking and being dissatisfied with the contents, they usually were for people with no woodworking experience at all and the projects looked like they were designed for kids. That's when I found IAP! This site is awesome. The quality of the work I've seen here is amazing, no little kid stuff here! And I've learned so much. My next project is to start stabilizing and resin casting. I just need to sell some more pens to pay for the equipment and resins. I don't know what else you could ask for, you already have tutorials and classifieds. Thanks to all that have shared information.:smile:

Rod
 
Mark from Florida panhandle

I joined in Late August to get into pen turning. I am slowly getting all my stuff. I figure I'll start in the next month. I am still seting up my shop. I have turned in the past.

What I am looking for is

1. Advice from experienced people on pen turning ( I know the basics)
2. Advice on where to get good pen parts and blanks at good prices
3. Comradely in a niche area
 
I hadn't turned a pen in 7 years when my adult children started pestering me to turn them some more pens (yes, even young people in their 20's still use pens). I had seen an article on some pens with celtic knots and was searching for how it was done when I came across this site.

I was amazed by the examples of work people are now doing. In the past 7 years much has changed in the industry, from home casting to stabilizing to better kits. I come on the site almost daily to see what people are doing and to read how to articles.

I appreciate the review section, the vendor and marketplace section, and of course the SOYP section.

I wish that when someone posted it would show their name as well as their log in information. Or at least give people the option to. It appears that long time posters know each other by log in id but us real names. (Now I am going to have to check to see if that is something controlled by the user!)

I also wish that on the post quick reply box you had the option of asking for notification of updates on that post.

An app to see the forum on a droid would also be nice.

Having said that, I love this site, visit almost daily, and if nothing changes I wont be disappointed.

Steve
 
Hi Jeff I joined about a week in a half ago been turning for about 9 yrs just wanted to learn new ways and new tricks to continue to improve my pen turning skills. This site has some amazing penturners. I'm just happy to be part of this great family of friends. Thank you for letting me be part of this site. David Seaba!!
 
I joined the 17th of August but I have been turning for some time. I bought a hand made pen at a craft market, it was a roller ball (majestic kit)and I liked it so much I asked the guy to make me a fountain pen to match the roller ball. He strung me along for about a year and just by accident I saw a kit at a hobby X show and bought it. Having a lot of experience in metal turning I found it really easy. I found a supplier that had a fair selection of kits in South Africa and made pens for the whole family and the rest. I ordered some kits from various suppliers in the states and found the IAP in one of the vendor adds so I had a look and joined. There will always be somebody that pushes the envelope a little further and that is what I was looking for. We can all make a nice looking kit pen but when you want to make a exclusive writing instrument that is where the difference comes in. I work as an expat in Senegal and I only get to be home on every third month so my time to turn is very limited so when I get the chance to do some pen turning I try and make the best of it. The fellow turners are really good with sharing information and tips.
Donovan
 
jeff said:
OK, time to sweeten the deal! (Or resort to bribery, depending on your perspective!)

HATS OFF to anyone who responds. If you have been a member less than 3 months, and you post a thoughtful response here (or send me a PM), you might get a FREE IAP HAT. And you can't even buy those yet!

I'll draw 5 names from the new members who post here before next Friday Nov 9 and I'll send you an IAP hat. Postpaid! Free! Gratis!
Click to expand...

I think I might rejoin under a new name :biggrin:
edit: Didnt read the whole thread -this aint a new idea it seems! :(
 
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How did you find us and what motivated you to join?
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My 30th birthday was this summer, and I ordered a pen "starter" set for myself (chuck, mandrell, pack of slims and Designers, wood) from PSI. Being unhappy with PSI customer service came here to see I'm not alone:)
Then came here to find better place to buy supplies - as I quit my job short after birthday:) and have plenty of time now.
Then I came once more to get an answer "what the heck with this blotchy CA"...

Now as I came to 55-60 pens (should check my records) I see that I progress much faster then is normal, and I attribute that a lot to information I read here and inspiration I receive from seeing best pens everyday.

What do you hope to learn, find, or share here?
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Inspiration, new technics, new materials, etc.

What do you see so far that you like? Dislike?
Click to expand...
I see a lot of pens that I like!:)))
Some of pens, though, I really dislike.
And as I see, nobody really tell guys, with a fear of discourage, probably, and makers of ugly pens make more. For me it's not good, if I post a pen, I'd really want to know, what I can do next time better. Or even disassemble a pen and redo it. It's not really pushing me forward if I read only "good pen bro|good finish bro|etc". Everybody is TOO polite.

Writing this only because you are asking.


What would YOU like from the site?
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More "choosen" or featured things - featured threads, featured photos of pens (with thread about making it) and so on, somewhere in library may be:) not only articles, but live threads too, where I can ask my silly question.


PS HAT? wow!
 
The incentive worked!!

Been here 10 months now so I don't get the hat. Jeff, I would like to suggest that you add a sentence about Local Chapters and how to subscribe. I think many people don't discover that until they have been here for some time. That has been a big deal for me.

This is my favorite site and I spend a LOT of time here, but I am sure there are still things I haven't discovered. The enhanced search feature works great!! Pretty much everything I have learned about making pens has come from this site and the great friends I have met and PM'd here.

Oh yeah, and tell the new guys to save their Christmas money for Birthday Bash. I wasn't prepared for all the great deals our vendor/members were throwing on the table the first time. I will be ready this time!

Thanks and keep up the great programs and activities.

Harry
 
Hello Jeff
I am one of the guilty ones that has been peeking in. Curtis Seebeck (mesquite man) told me about this site and it has been the best advice I have gotten yet.

I am a 58 y.o. Union plumber in New Braunfels Texas. I got interested in pen going to craft shows around the state. I have learned so much here and the library. I do get somewhat intimidated looking at the pens made by the pen Gods. I would like to participate in PITH but am afraid that with my luck I would draw skiprat or seemus or Toni or one of the other gods and what would they do w/ one of my pens? Anyway keep up the great work here I am sure I will ease in with time.
Neal
 
The reason I joined and plan on staying for a long time.

Jeff,

I just joined this past Friday, 02 Nov and can honestly say I truley enjoy it. First off the message you sent when I first joined was greatly appreciated and made me feel welcomed. Here are my thoughts on your questions:
  • How did you find us and what motivated you to join?
I found the IAP website awhile back when googling questions on pen making. I was captivated by all the pictures of others works and how other members gave honest feedback and tips. I have been turning pens as a hobby only for 5 years and really enjoy it. I have made many mistakes and other than books and two videos everything was self taught or learned the hard way. I was really excited about the Library which I got access to once I joined. I am a firm believer that it is wise to learn from others mistakes/experiences rather than trying to learn everything on my own.
  • What do you hope to learn, find, or share here?
I hope to and have learned how to improve my pen making skills. Great example is I already learned how to finish my pens with CA glue. I also enjoy making unique one of a kind peices and look forward to seeing and learning more to come up with new ideas. I look forward to sharing photos with members as I accomplish new pens, good or bad. Once again learning from others experiences/mistakes. I will do my fair share of showing my mistakes/unpleasant experiences for others to learn from me also.
  • What do you see so far that you like? Dislike?
I like the site very well, I also like the care people on the site demonstrate towards one another. I have been in the Air Force for 16 years and almost dread the day I get out because I like the comraderie and the fact of having things on common with others. I forsee this site filling that void when the day comes when I finally hang up the uniform. I also like the fact if seems a lot of IAP members share my love for the Lord, which gives me encouragment.
  • What would YOU like from the site?
I would like to see the site to continue what it is doing and to keep growing and sharing. I look forward to getting to know members and sharing. Thanks for a GREAT site.
 
I am constantly looking for inspiration and new techniques to enhance my penturning. At the point I joined, I was merely using kits from various suppliers to make pens. I was looking for that one site/organization that would help me move my efforts upwards in technical and creative ways. I want to get away from strictly using kits and create masterpieces anyone would be proud to own. After 'cruising' the web, I came upon the IAP site and was hooked. This is the place I was looking for! The overall quality of the members pens, the wealth of information available in the library, the free expression in the forum, the honesty, responsiveness, friendliness and respectful attitudes of the members is exemplary. I was home. That's why I joined.
 
Jeff, I joined a month ago today and so far I have to say that I am extremely happy with how this group is set-up and all the endless information that is available here! I honestly haven't turned my first pen yet but have really been enjoying reading from all the knowledgeable members and making little notes in my mind on how I can make penturning easier and more fun! Everyone on here that I've talked with have been nothing less than extremely friendly and all know how to make us newbies feel right at home immediately! I wouldn't change anything about the site at this time. Everything here really seems to flow fluidly and I really enjoy having joined this awesome group of fellow turners!

Jon Anderson
 
HAT WINNERS!!

Sorry, I'm a day late with the names!

If you're one of the following, please PM me your name and address and I'll get a hat out to you pronto.

Hotwire55, DennisK, mjwilli, SMJ1957, Tx.slopoke, K-9 Man

Thanks to you guys and all the posters in this thread for some great information.
 
im 60 and disabled so very limited as to how much time i can even spend on woodworking with the weather gettin cooler i might be forced to take a few months break in even at that.
im so new to woodworking i feel that im not qualified to even be here at times, but also feel i have a better chance of learning from every 1 else.
i found here lookin for referece's to pen making,, ive only been makin saw dust about 8 months now and started makin pens on a drill press.
amd am slowly getting the tools to improve my skill set.
for the most part im so lost i dont even know where i need to start.
from sources to lack of skills.
but ivre only seen posivite posts and helpful replys to any questions.
but for most of this i dont even know what to ask..
i want to thank all of you for the kindness i see so far
warlok
 
DennisK and SMJ1957, your hats are on the way!

The others, Hotwire55, mjwilli, Tx.slopoke, K-9 Man, please PM me your addresses!
 
warlok said:
im 60 and disabled so very limited as to how much time i can even spend on woodworking with the weather gettin cooler i might be forced to take a few months break in even at that.
im so new to woodworking i feel that im not qualified to even be here at times, but also feel i have a better chance of learning from every 1 else.
i found here lookin for referece's to pen making,, ive only been makin saw dust about 8 months now and started makin pens on a drill press.
amd am slowly getting the tools to improve my skill set.
for the most part im so lost i dont even know where i need to start.
from sources to lack of skills.
but ivre only seen posivite posts and helpful replys to any questions.
but for most of this i dont even know what to ask..
i want to thank all of you for the kindness i see so far
warlok
Click to expand...

Everyone starts out at the same level! :smile: We were all rank amateurs at one point!

Ask any questions you like - we'll all be glad to help!
 
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