Politically incorrect but honest

But it looks GOOD on ya, Leo! (Is that the color AFTER gray?)

mac

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that's a good thing, Kevin.. it's called "mental floss"...

mac

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Tom.. staying sort of on topic, have you heard the term "workamping"? (work camping)

Normally, it's being a campground or park host, or maintenance person, sometime security work in or around the park, for a free site and small salary..

Your posts have me picturing a couple that loves wood, traveling in a fiver with basic hand and power tools... maybe staying free in turn for a bit of fine finish here and there, the random small deck or railing, etc.. sort of a traveling craftsman or, (dare I say) artisan... You can find someone easily and cheaply to build a fence or unclog a septic system, but where do you find someone to refinish a few pieces of furniture, that's willing to make house/rv park calls? Also, most rv parks are now "resorts" and have small gift shops... might be a market for turnings and things that have the park name of whatever on them... We stayed at a park in Avila Beach, CA this month and they had 4 different kinds of shot glasses with the park name on them.. and of course, I wasn't carrying any of the small goblets that I love to turn.. damn it! lol

mac

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Mac, That's creative. I'm not sure there's much of a small salary or even any at all from the little homework I've done so far. But that might be a real cool idea for a summer trip. Out West was my dream trip but I've still got the Smokies and Blue Ridge Parkway places nearby.

It leads you to go along with a smaller lathe to start so it'd fit in the camper - versus a Stubby, Oneway, etc. Then get the bigger one if needed later on. Some of these deep pocket NG folks (LOL) seem to have one for each kind of work.

Now what are you going to do about this seasoning/drying stuff? I can't see space for a ton of bowls, goblets, etc. to be drying before the final turning.

Tom Nie

======================

I'll be up that way in about 2 weeks. Want to see how much has changed since I was up there in '68. Any good turning or crafts places you'd recommend near Smoky MT Nat'l Park? I know Arrowmont is right there, but it seems like they're not too active in August.

Ken Moon Webberville, TX.

/snip/

I noticed that that maybe 95% had as much gray hair as I which is

Hi Tom

most older men do get gray hair or white or even loose their hair some or all !! equipment ?? what equipment are you talking about ???

To be a bit more serious here, I think it is usually the case that we don't have to feed a family, pay the mortgage etc. and we like wood and working with wood, have the time to do that (more or less).

The equipment cost varies, if you like spindle turning, like pen turning , tops yo-yos whistles etc. a small lathe and grinder and a set of small tools will do, a drill press is nice and a arbor press and belt sander a nice extra.

If bowl and hollow turning is what's wanted, then a better quality lathe is needed, and lathe size and weight should go up as turning size goes up, lathe size does not mean swing over the ways or inches between head and tail stock, but spindle and bearing size plus the actual lathes mass, motor and belts size should also increase in line with the capabilities of the lathe, and the tools become bigger and more costly to purchase, also the wood for bowls and hollow turning need more outlay either in money to buy or in tools and time investment, like a chain saw and bandsaw, pickup truck and or trailer, spare chain and sharpening setup. Also a grinder and jig to keep your tools sharp, and more sealer and sand paper and finish and room to store your rough outs. And then enough buddies to give all those magnificent and breath taking works of art. Making money ?? well unless you want to turn pillars and other architectural turnings like 10 staircase spindles or twenty of those finials etc. filling time between orders with making so many pens and scoops and mushrooms etc. you will be lucky to pay for the tools and incidentals, unless you are some real special turner with a lot of talent and good ideas. So is it just a retiree hobby, NO, it is much more in my opinion, you'll find out, it's addictive

Have fun and take care Leo Van Der Loo

Hi Mac

Thanks

I think it's a bit like good wine it get better with age up to a point that is, after that--- don't ask !!

Have fun and take care Leo Van Der Loo

mac davis wrote:

Ken, I haven't seen Arrowmount yet.

On the East side you've got the Folk Art Center tight to Asheville and on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This is a high quality operation with fabulous variety including museum displays. The Carolina Mountain Woodturners

have monthly meetings third Saturday of each month from 10am to 4:30pm and include demonstrations by pros. They use the theater at the Center.

The western mountains are very dramatic and move my heart to its core. The Appalachians are like old slippers and a recliner by the fireplace. Roosevelt's public works program built the Blue Ridge Parkway and I wish all our tax dollars could do as much for people at the time and in the future. Last year the wife and I rode our Harleys from the start to the finish - 459 miles. Lots of rain from the hurricanes and still it was a fabulous experience.

Otherwise, I'm such a newbie I can't help.

Tom Nie

I can identify with that... my wife says that I'm "aged to perfection"... I'm not sure if that means ready to cook or just short of rotten..

mac

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Just leave them at each site.. turn or finish 'em on your next visit?

mac

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===================== Tom, I knew about the Folk Art Center, and had it on my list. I'll already be gone before the woodturners meeting is held. :-( I know what you mean about the mountains. I grew up on Lookout Mountain down in N. Alabama. Sure do miss them out here in flatland Texas.

Ken Moon Webberville, TX.