New guy from Colorado

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Live2Dive

Member
Joined
Dec 15, 2010
Messages
123
Location
Littleton, CO
Hey everyone. After some 10 months of lurking around this place, I figured it was about time to admit to my addiction.

I'm Paul. And I turn pens.

I signed up here last December, and had full plans to contribute as much as possible. I figured that just getting laid off in December, I could spend my days on the lathe or on the forums, until I got a new job at least. Well, still no job, but I have spent many hours on the lathe. Having just lost my job, I didn't feel completely comfortable dropping a huge amount of cash on a new lathe, so I got an entry level min lathe from Rockler in January and could not be happier. I know, I know. I "could" be happier if I actually spent more on a better lathe, but that's the road not taken right now.

Anyway. Yada yada yada. I am here to do a late introduction. I have read many many threads here and thought you all were a bunch of loonies for saying that this is an addiction. Now, I totally agree. I can spend 8 hours on the lathe during the day, only to come in for dinner expecting to relax with the family, and all I can think about is "Man, I should drill 'that' blank for 'that' pen kit, and it would be awesome". All the while my wife has been talking to me at the dinner table and I have no idea what she is saying. Man, I need to get away!

So, I have turned about 120 pens so far. The first pen was a monstrosity, but my second through 5 actually came out pretty nice. For a newbie that is. Now, I look back at all that I have made, and can clearly see the progression of my skill set, and am excited for the future. I dream in Rhodium infused luster, cast with sparkly mica. I know. I need help.

And to wrap up this LONG and BORING intro, I am about a month away from my first show! I am excited and also nervous that nobody will like what I have created.

Peace out!
 
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Welcome. My story is similar. I joined just so I could buy wood for making gun grips. But slowly I started seeing all the pens & it was a natural progression from gun grips to wood turning. I haven't made a set of gun grips since my 1st pen.

BTW, Nice ID.:cool:
 
Paul, welcome from another Littleton-based addict. PM me if you would like to get together sometime and talk woods and such.

Tomas
 
Welcome Paul from Louisiana. Hey I was just in Littleton 2 months ago. I occasionally drop in at the Lockheed facility there. I work at the one in Mississippi but my boss is in Littleton. Might look ya up on my next trip.
Stephen
 
Thanks for all the welcomes everyone! I'll post pics of some of my work soon.

@Tomas - Sounds good! I've been wanting to meet up with some local turners for a while now. The wife just doesn't 'get' the fascination.

@Sabaharr - Lockheed is just up the road from me. Maybe 15 minute drive. Definitely shout next time you are in town. Maybe swap some blanks or something. I cut down a few HUGE chunks of Buckeye Burl and Redwood Burl earlier this year - I'll never get to turning it all. I must have 120 blanks.

Paul
 
Welcome to the group.
good luck with your first show. i did mine only 2 1/2 months after starting to turn. it was nerve racking at first but had a ball. only sold about $100 dollars worth. but i found out then that shows and interacting with the customers talking about pens. again good luck and enjoy.

By the way. No pics, No pens. It didn't happen.
 
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