Just another brag

Nicely said, JD. I sure wouldn't feel intimidated around here as there are all levels of learning and experience on this newsgroup. After lurking for a while, you should know which threads to avoid, which ones to watch, and which posters you are interested in.

I am sure you have ideas of value for us, so don't be shy. Put your iron plated underwear on and post away!

Welcome to the fray!

Robert

A never ending task. Have a feeling we're losing ground.

I second the motion about the quality of this group!! Lots of good information and good will here.

Even my stupid questions get kindly answers.

I look on it as a place to share what I do know, even if I don't know it all--someone else usually supplies the missing pieces.

Anyhow, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone, and best wishes for another wordy New Year.

Old Guy, Wishing the weather would warm a bit so he can use his shop.

You can come down and use mine. Supposed to be 82 today. May have to turn on the AC. You can finish the tree ornament that has been on the lathe the past two days then work on my backlog of bowls that are dry.

Tell ya what - send the blanks to me. It's only 76 here. I'll box up and return the curly bits. ;-)

Greg G.

Hi JD, Thanks for your good post. Keep em coming and more often. Right or wrong some of us will agree with you and some won't. As you said, It's the good humor that counts and it prevails here.

When I was teaching grad students, I counted enthusiasm about equal to scholarship in "stamping out ignorance", at least for the long term. As I followed their careers over the years excepting for the rare truly brilliant ones, my opinion was justified.

What has been your experience in teaching and in turning wood? Just an outrageous ploy to get you to start sharing the things you know ...or as with many of us here the things you think you know. :)

Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter

Arch,

I think there are a lot of similarities in wood turning and teaching. I see a lot of freshmen walk into my classroom the first time and after a few days with them, I feel like I know which ones are going to make it and which ones aren't. More often than not, I'm surprised at the end of the semester when I find my assumptions were totally wrong, those I thought were good to go, partied their way out of college. Those who I thought would never make it, knuckle down and get the job done (with a little encouragement and a firm push). Turning wood is similar because there has been several times when I selected a piece of wood from the pile knowing it was going to be the best I've ever turned, only to see it turn into some horrible creation that I couldn't get the dog to eat from. Other times, I feel I'm wasting my time finishing a turning because the wood just doesn't seem to have the right shape, figure, grain, etc. only to find out when completed and a nice finish applied that it was actually a very beautiful piece to behold.

I guess the hardest part about teaching, and wood turning, is that you have to face the reality that you can't get it right every time. I've been crushed when a bowl cracked while on the lathe and I've been crushed when a student I've worked hard to get excited about gaining an education decides to walk away from it and quit. All you can do is chuck another piece of wood in the lathe and look forward to the start of the next semester.

JD

I know the feeling. ;-) Why do you think Leaona Helmsley left a fortune to her dog?!

Greg G.