Newbie Looking For Local Assistance

[Tom Cowsert]

Hello, and thank you for accepting me to the forum! I am new to turning as of 5 weeks ago. Took an intro to lathe class with my wife at a local Woodcraft and fell in love. Bought a Jet JWL 1015 the next day along with several tools and accessories. To this point I have turned 5 bowls of different species of wood, and one "trinket" box. I am quickly learning that I have limitations due to lack of experience. I watch a ton of youtube videos and the instruction provided can be, and is valuable, but does not take the place of having someone with me. I have heard that woodturners are the friendliest and most helpful of all wood wood workers and that they are almost always more than willing to help. My question is out of ignorance, but are there any resources to find a local mentor? There is a local turning group that has monthly meetings that I would like to attend when work schedule allows, but I have missed this and the previous months due to work commitments. Also, any advice on approaching others for assistance would be greatly appreciated. I live in Manassas, Virginia if it helps. Thank you for reading.

Tom

 

[Bill Boehme]

Here is a link to the list of AAW chapters: Chapter Search

If you know the name of the chapter you can enter that or otherwise select Virginia for the chapter area served and then choose the closest chapter from the search results. If you click on the chapter name it will give you a contact phone number usually for the club president. The club president should be able to get you connected to a mentor.

 

[Tom Cowsert]

Here is a link to the list of AAW chapters: Chapter Search

If you know the name of the chapter you can enter that or otherwise select Virginia for the chapter area served and then choose the closest chapter from the search results. If you click on the chapter name it will give you a contact phone number usually for the club president. The club president should be able to get you connected to a mentor.

Excellent! Thank you! I never thought to contact the club president. The closest club to me is the Catoctin Area Turners. I will try to reach out. Thanks again!

 

[John Torchick]

Joining a club and AAW is a good move. I recommend it. You will learn a lot.

 

[hockenbery]

Tom,
I think you will find the local chapters a wealth of encouragement and inspiration as well as a great source of learning.
The student/mentor. Or student/teacher interaction can be so valuable.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Social media can also locate some potential local turning talent. You might check on Facebook or even Craigslist in your area you might find a page or two with people in your area. If you have someone in your area that runs a mobile sawmill they usually will know the local turners in their area. The mobile sawmill owners are a great resource for turning wood along with local tree cutters.

 

[John Torchick]

What Mike said. I have enough wood to build Abe Lincoln a tiny house.