Yes, we do tend to get sidetracked at times.

I like turning because it is something that I can do in shorter bursts. It also allows me to be creative in a different way that furniture work does.

Regarding the rocker, I had several things “conspire against me” to slow my progress. First, I took a “first ever” woodworking class in May to do a (very ambitious for one week) Huntboard. So, I had a lot of work to do to get materials rouch milled prior to that class. Then summer came. Traditionally, I do almost no woodworking in the summer (this year, I’ve broken that tradition somewhat with the additional turning that I’ve done). So, with all of that the rocker has been patiently waiting for me.

No worries, as fall approaches, I’ll be back in the shop much more. Though, I still have a bunch of work left on the Huntboard too! I guess that’s part of the fun of woodworking.

Sounds like you have a great woodturning club with a bunch of known turners. Certainly a great thing to take advantage of when you are able.

–Mark

As seems to happen with woodworking hobbyists, we get sidetracked. I have been sidetracked in woodturning for the last 5 or so years. I n April, I started the chair following Hal Taylor’s design. Now it’s August and the legs are ready to attach to the seat.

This project has been an exercise in doing new things and solving problems. Hal’s instructions are very good, but the leave some room for thought and improvization.

As far as turning goes, it is like golf. You can turn one thing in a few hours, but you spend the remainder of your life improving the skills and design. I have been indeed fortunate to have a club like the Seattle Woodturners as a resource. We count among our members no less than six who are nationally known. There are another dozen who are good enough to offer their mentoring skills.

Other areas have clubs as well. Woodturners are not afraid to share their skills.

You sure are having fun, and that is what its all about!!!!!

Yes, I’m always trying to learn new skills. That is a Jet 16×42 that I turn on, though the picture of me turning in the post is on Ralph’s Woodfast lathe.

As far as the MASW class, I definitely liked the class, school and experience. I think that the staff was great and the facility and operation is also top notch.

For my class, we received just a measured drawing when we arrived – definitely not a complete plan. A set of procedures for each day would have been very helpful, as you stated. What I found was that some people were hell-bent on being first at doing and finishing every task. These people also tended to skip ahead – and sometimes made some errors as a result. That activity seemed to always occupy the instructors so I only was able to get snippets of their time on the fly. I was a bit more methodical and tried to learn their methods before going on to other tasks – after all, I was there to learn from them not just do what I already know what to do, right? So, that kind of thing was the only down side to the spread in the class – in the end, I got my project as complete as everyone else did!

I understand what you mean about Friday and the clean-up. Friday morning was more or less just a few minor tasks and after lunch people were packing up and cleaning up. I would have preferred to have a set cut off time of say 3:00PM the clean the shop and pack away projects. With everyone’s help a couple of hours is all that it would really take. I did not mind chiping in to clean up, bt 1/2 the day in our case was a bit much.

–Mark

Would to hear your opinion of the MASW class. I always enjoyed the classes, however, I believed there should have been some plans and proceedure list handed out. Did your class start to spread out in the completion of the project? My last class did and it created a lot of problems and mistakes. In addition, I did not care for the lost of time for cleaning up on the last day. (You spend a lot of money for the class, lodging, and travel to waste on cleaning)