I'm happy to take this opportunity to introduce myself to the AAW forums. With the New Year here I've decided to join the AAW and the forums here. I'm very impressed with the collection of knowledge, openness to share and assist others, and the advantages this membership will bring.
A little about myself. I'm a physically disabled, bilateral below knee amputee, that has gotten to the point where I can have a hobby. My health has been challenging since my second amputation, then arthritis in my right knee. I'm not letting my physical limitations become a life long impediment to my enjoying a hobby.
I was a mechanical engineering college professor, before the arthritis took me out of the workforce. Before teaching i was a product design engineer and before that a tool and die design engineer. While not having woodworking as a hobby, starting on the tool and die industry i learned a lot about woodworking. Initially, I thought I would pursue flat work as a hobby. As I as working through what I would actually do I came to love the idea of woodturning. I have experience using a metal lathe to prototype many things, but do realize there is a big difference between metal turning and wood turning.
I've been consuming as much content as I can as I put together my turning lab. I've been gathering tooling and a lathe, Grizzly 10x18. I know even now this will not be my ultimate lathe, but was a cost effective way to get into the hobby. Initially I thought I would focus on pen turning, and I will turn them for sure, but I won't limit myself to just that. I really like lidded boxes and will definetly be turning those as well.
I look forward to interacting with the community and sharing my progress. As a side note in November I attended a local chapter meeting and will be joining that club at the January meeting. Additionally, I plan on attending the other club in my areas meeting as well. I figure making as many contacts as possible will benefit me as a new turner.
Gregory Hickman
Denton NC
A little about myself. I'm a physically disabled, bilateral below knee amputee, that has gotten to the point where I can have a hobby. My health has been challenging since my second amputation, then arthritis in my right knee. I'm not letting my physical limitations become a life long impediment to my enjoying a hobby.
I was a mechanical engineering college professor, before the arthritis took me out of the workforce. Before teaching i was a product design engineer and before that a tool and die design engineer. While not having woodworking as a hobby, starting on the tool and die industry i learned a lot about woodworking. Initially, I thought I would pursue flat work as a hobby. As I as working through what I would actually do I came to love the idea of woodturning. I have experience using a metal lathe to prototype many things, but do realize there is a big difference between metal turning and wood turning.
I've been consuming as much content as I can as I put together my turning lab. I've been gathering tooling and a lathe, Grizzly 10x18. I know even now this will not be my ultimate lathe, but was a cost effective way to get into the hobby. Initially I thought I would focus on pen turning, and I will turn them for sure, but I won't limit myself to just that. I really like lidded boxes and will definetly be turning those as well.
I look forward to interacting with the community and sharing my progress. As a side note in November I attended a local chapter meeting and will be joining that club at the January meeting. Additionally, I plan on attending the other club in my areas meeting as well. I figure making as many contacts as possible will benefit me as a new turner.
Gregory Hickman
Denton NC
