Will another Texan put you over your quota?

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deeceedub

deeceedub

Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2018
Messages
87
Location
Brownfield, TX
Hi, all. I'm Donna, from West Texas near Lubbock. I "inherited" the contents of my dad's shop including his lathe and more turning tools than I know what to do with. My husband and I have been attempting to make some pens and it looks like I'm hooked. :smile:

My dad had Alzheimer's and unfortunately, he lost his ability to pass on his woodturning knowledge several years before he actually passed away. I searched unsuccessfully for some place to get some training but couldn't find anything-- until last week, when I finally located a Parks & Rec adult education class for beginning woodturning. It doesn't start until June, though, so for now we are still working from YouTube videos and my dad's many books.

I've lurked here for a while and already learned a lot. I'm looking forward to picking your brains on your craft. I'm an OCD perfectionist type, so I tend to research things to death. :rolleyes:
 
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This isn't the place for OCD! You will find a hundred Different suggestions for finishes, for tools, for turning speed, for sanding, etc. :biggrin:Mass confusion - BUT plenty to read on this forum. :biggrin:

I tend to be OCD in turning also. So this takes me to a requirement for OCD: CALIPERS! Using them to turn to size and not by measuring the size of the blank by the bushings. Another thing that is helpful to 8 out of 10 who try it - TBC, turning between centers.

WELCOME! And enjoy this work and this forum.
 
Welcome from Wichita Falls. I think your best option is to join and attend the South Plains Woodturning Club which is an affiliate club of the American Association of Woodturners, aka AAW. The South Plains club meets in Lubbock...a 40 mile drive for you if I recall. Clubs are an excellent place to learn, network and make friends with other turners. They have both a website and a FB presence.
FB: https://www.facebook.com/SouthPlainsWoodturnersInc/
website: sass SPW (does not appear to be current)

In Waco at the end of August we will have our annual woodturning symposium sponsored by the SouthWest Association of Turners, aka SWAT. There will be 3 days of demonstrations, hands on areas including a hands on pen turning area headed by Don Ward. This year we are planning to have one demo room strictly for penturiing. 3 days of pen turning demonstrations. Details at www.swaturners.org

Do a good turn daily!
Don
 
Thanks for the welcome!

Thanks for the advice, Hank. That's why I'm here. I already have digital calipers on my shopping list. I've read some about TBC but I'm not sure I have the right tail stock. That's one of the biggest reasons I knew we needed instruction- we need the most basic intro to the lathe. I am using an adjustable mandrel for the pens but I'm clueless with anything else. We have a four-jaw chuck that we don't even know how to use. I'd like to know how to drill blanks on my lathe so I can experiment with some different blank materials.

We also need to learn how to sharpen all these tools the right way. We have a Tormek grinder with a jig for sharpening turning tools but we may not be doing that right either! As I said, we have a LOT to learn. :smile:
 
Don, thank you. I have been in contact with the South Plains club- that's how I found the info on the P&R class. One of the club members is the class instructor. Right now we have a standing prior commitment on the Saturday that the club meets but should be free this summer. My dad was active in the North Texas club so I am aware of the valuable knowledge and connections at a club can provide. Thanks!
 
Welcome Donna !!! . Always glad to have another OCD "specialist" join our numbers !

This is the right place for you !!!
 
Welcome to the forum, Donna. Lots of good people with great information. Don't be afraid to ask questions. I highly recommend a symposium. I went to my first one in Dalton, GA, just down the road from me. Well worth the time and money.
 
Donna,
Welcome from the Abilene area. Spent a year in Lubbock long ago. I second the idea of joining the woodturning club there in Lubbock. Well worth your time and money.

Steve
 
Sounds like you are headed in the right direction.
If you have a WOODCRAFT in reasonable proximity, they probably offer classes too. (Never saw one that did not!)

This is the best resource on the web for penturning... seriously!

Take it easy, one step at a time! Have fun, welcome to the addiction!
 
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