Musing about other woodturner's transgressions. Certainly not me.

Doesn't sound like envy to me. Venial at best.

Arch

Your muse is once again right on the mark!

I know the guys who carry-on like you describe - many in my club would say it is me! I have to confess that I ask veiled questions, try to assist the broad base understanding of the topic by asking the demo guy to elaborate. I also am known to stand up and say that the big name turners are not always right! I have even stated that I make my boxes different than Richard Raffan and that my way is the correct way (for me) to make boxes! I do not slight others, but make statements that I am willing to support.

However, there are many who have garlic breath, some who smell like a brewery and others who ask a million questions in an attempt to pick your brain and other who want to get close to you - - that is what makes the monthly meetings fun and interesting! People are people and they are what we meet for - to be with other like minded people!

So, I will continue to be obnoxious (to an extent) and willing to spend time with folks who just ate spaghetti and meatballs - just so I can make friends and find people who make the experience of being involved a positive aspect of my life as a turner!

Ray Sandusky Brentwood, TN

Thanks George and Ray. You two saved me from having spawned an orphan post. The underwhelming response makes me wonder whether there aren't any other lesser sins or if my list and request for additions was unread or inappropriate. If the latter, I regret that I posted an unintentional OT musing.

*********************************************** Now a proper question: I'm thinking of moving up to turning first class and down to eating tourist. I lust in my heart for a huge trophy lathe that will serve my every turning need for the rest of my life. Should I buy the aluminum hand-drill driven 'little marvel' advertised in "The Open Road for Boys"? Or mortgage the farm for a 'SLopsmith'; that pot metal combination spindle lathe, wheel barrow and frying pan wonder machine shown on page 38 of "Boy's Life".

The 'Chick Sale Outhouse' I converted into a shop was a two-holer, so either of these massive machine will fit in, plus there are other advantages.

Its size and weight rules out "Harass Fright's" expensive plastic & sheet metal imported lathe. The one advertised with so much restraint in HF's. drab yet so very tasteful ads; the rare frequent fliers we find so seldom in the mailbox. Sadly, the paper is too slick to use in my converted shop. Owning a Vertilathe without giving up my only drill press is even sadder. :(

I would appreciate any and all advice, but especially from those of you who have risen to the stratosphere of these outstanding machines.

I know that jealous envy thinly disguised as 'just having fun' is not a good thing, but it's the weekend. Forgive, but don't ignore a COC hiding behind TICs, and s. :)

Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter

My 3000 arrives tomorrow. Susan's broken tib/fib kept her from her conferences, so we sent the youngest to pick it up this spring break.

Bummer is it cost me money to send him - Susan would have collected mileage for the conference....

Rest of my life? Possibly, but that could end from ptomaine after tomorrow's charity spaghetti feed. Maybe with lathes it's a good idea to eat dessert first, too?

Arch

As you know, from my eagerness to tell everyone what I do and force my toe into every possible door of opportuity to show off, I own a Stubby 750, a Jet Mini, sold my Nova 3000 and have my original lathe - ridgid - set up as a disk sander that never sees any electricity - so, I may be able to assist in your decision process....

My advice: Wait a few more months - I am sure that Woodcraft will be following up the successful introduction of their Pinnacle turning tools with a new Pinnacle Lathe - it will have a 1 HP rubber band powered motor and aluminum everywhere they can get away with. It may also have a lifetime guarantee on the headstock handwheel and the left rear mounting plate! The ways will be machined from the highest quality iron slag left over from Yugo parts manufacturing plants in central Hunan Region of China. The legs will be self leveling and the variable speed control will always return to the "0" position when the motor is turned off. The innovative design and just good enough quality will be a great acompanyment to the super long handles and short steel shafts of the Pinnacle tools!

So, hold your wallet and keep your eyes tightly clenched with the old familiar grimmace upon your jowls while you pour over all of the options currently on the market, waiting for the introduction of the super duper wonder wood spinner!

Ray Sandusky

Disclaimers:

**George - this is written with tongue in cheek!

**Any Woodcraft Lathe designers or planning committee members out there - I am merely joking! I have no idea what your plans are for the Pinnacle product line!

Arch,

Amen. Amen. When I read your list, I nodded vigorously, but didn't have any to add of my own. Having given it some thought, however, I do have a couple more sins.

Picking up a delicate piece on the instant gallery table, accidentally breaking the finial, but not claiming responsibility. Sitting in the back of the demo room making a running commentary to the person next to you which is disruptive to the demonstrator and those around you. Walking out on a demonstrator in the middle of the presentation (not waiting for a break) making disparaging comments as you go. Standing around at the end of a meeting and pitching in to sweep, stack chairs and other clean-up activities while others work all around you.

These have all happened in my club.

I often take these kinds of posts and reprint the thread in my club's newsletter (I'm the editor). This thread, however, hits too close to home. I don't need that many enemies.

Joe Fleming - San Diego

Thanks Joe, not only for adding to our sins, but also for not identifying me as one of those "few hacks" . :) Those who don't know what I mean and are curious can find out by reading Joe's well written and informative article in the current (Spring 2005) issue of "American Woodturner" Vol. 20, no. 1, pg.24.

Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter

One of my chapters used to hold its monthly meetings at a Woodcraft store - seems one of our members was pocketing merchandise on meeting nights. There was no doubt as to who it was - though I never knew.

Probably a more common transgression, which I find crops up every few months... Some members bring severely degraded wood to "generously" donate to the monthly wood raffle. Folks, when the chunk of wood is run-of-the-mill maple or red oak or somesuch and it's practically covered with checks it ain't worth even bringing it in much less cause anyone to make a deal with God for their number to be called so's *they* can haul it home. Worse yet was the time someone brought in a number of large hunks of wood not only rotting and falling apart, but with critters coming out. No one, not even the neophytes to turning, will claim this stuff -- as the raffle winds down, no one will even acknowledge that they are holding a called number - "not mine, guess that lucky guy musta cut out early."

*Then* everyone leaves except for the few who always seem to hang around to help clean up and put away. That's not the griping part as I really don't mind closing up - the deal is, now one of the cleaner-uppers has to grudgingly accept this trash wood, haul it to our vehicle and then dispose of it at home somehow.

Jeesh!

Nothing like making the group welcome at a sponsor's site. Did it ever get sorted out, or is that why the meetings moved?

Sorry, but LOL!!!! Actual visible critters? (Now I'm spitting on the keyboard! Praise Be, I didn't have a mouthful of something.) You mean like on the hoof?? Oh dear, I may have to roll on the floor!

More LOL!!! 'Oh please don't let me blurt out if my number is called!)

I just remembered a dental appointment!!

I don't understand "standing around at the end of a meeting and pitching in to sweep..." Is helping at the end of a meeting a sin? I need to get new glasses, having trouble reading this one right.

Bill

Arch, If I recall, you're in Florida, and I think they frown on the eating of tourists as they are a major source of revenue for the state. The only positive note is that it would probably be a while before they are missed.

-- Martin Long Island, New York