Lighthouse for the Blind project

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sbwertz

sbwertz

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May 11, 2010
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Phoenix, AZ
At the AAW symposium, I volunteered to help a group from the local chapter of Lighthouse for the Blind to turn a pen. We had about a dozen people show up, and each one turned a pen, and assembled it, and took it home with them.

The blanks were already drilled, tubed, and rounded, and were stabilized blanks so no finish was required. They were all Wall Street kits.

Most of the participants were at least partially sighted, which made things easier. Each one mounted his blank and bushings on a mandrel saver, and mounted it in the lathe. Then they turned the blank down to the bushings, sanded it, micromeshed it, and took it to a buffing station. After buffing, they assembled the pens themselves, with a bit of help. You wouldn't believe the pride each took in this accomplishment.

I was so impressed with what they accomplished, I agreed to work with the local chapter. A Jet mini lathe, turning tools, and pen kits, along with a big box of dymondwood blanks has been donated to the chapter.

I went over today and started training their resident crafts supervisor to use the lathe. Today we just did basic spindle turning, beads and coves, sanding and finishing. Next session, we will do a pen kit. My job is to train him so that he can work with the blind and visually impaired chapter members.

This is one of the most rewarding things I've done in a long time.
 
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I have a question. I have never turned the Dymondwood blanks. Are they stabilized? Will they need a finish, or can they just be buffed up?
 
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The only negative thing I've heard was that when turned on an angle the tips of the layers might chip off so you have to be careful when getting close to the final cuts. Thanks for your time and patients helping others.
 
Diamondwood blanks are fragile. They can have the end break off when drilling, chip while turning if small cuts are not made or you are using less than sharp tools. The manuf. instructions saw to save the pieces if they break during drilling and glue them back together; it does work some times. Sand the blanks to square the end to the tube on a disc sander. I have never thought that they are stabilized, they may be, but with all the glue they will buff fairly well. I usually put a CA finish on mine but that would be difficult for a blind turner. Thanks for taking the time to help this organization.
 
Sharon; It is raining here today, but every now and then a ray of sunshine shines down from above. I am positive I have seen your name on one of those rays. There is no greater thanks than the look on someone's face that has just been shown that they have just made something themselves !!! God Bless You !!!! Jm S
 
Hi Sharon (and others!)

I spent a summer working for the Cleveland Society for the Blind at their summer camp - The campers did the most INCREDIBLE projects!

You are an inspiration!
 
Here is a video from last year's symposium. I worked with Andrea Sullivan, who is completely blind. She teaches blind students to turn at the Tampa Lighthouse for the blind project. Scroll down and read the little bio about her. She is truly amazing. You can see her a couple of times in the video...The pretty woman with the long blonde hair, and later at about the five minute mark there is an interview with her.

Woodturning Beyond Barriers - Symposium Events - American Association of Woodturners
 
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Sharon, you are "giving back" and making a huge difference in others QOL. I'm sure many never thought what you are doing was possible. Congratulations!
 
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