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My first meeting...

Dudley

Dudley

Joined
Dec 10, 2005
Messages
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Location
SW Pennsylvania
Well I followed the advice so many of you gave me. I attended the local (1 our away) AAW club this morning. Here's a recap of what I think:

1. Learning how to use a tool from a person is SO MUCH better than a book or video (althought they help alot, not as much.)

2. I'm not the furthest person to come to the meeting... someone drove 2 hours to visit and some live a little further than me.

3. I had a GREAT time. The people were very nice and answered so many questions.

4. I really like the Fisch Mini-lathe. Not that I'm in the market for a lathe, but this was my first time on a different machine that wasn't my own.

5. They have a great lending library. I didn't get a chance to check anything out because I was spending so much time learning... next month.

6. There were people from all sorts of age categories--from early 20's and up.

7. Everyone has a little bit of a different technique of using the tools. It seems to me that there is a right and a wrong way.... but there are variations to the right ways.

8. Using a marker on the tool before you grind it really does help.

9. A large roughing gouge cna be used to do so many things... roughing, shaping, smoothing out the grain.... and probably a lot more.

10. FACESHIELD, FACESHIELD, FACESHEILD.

11. The skew is a great tool once mastered (I already knew this but now I have a pretty good idea of where my problems were coming from.)

12. It's a lot of fun with people who share the same interests.

13. The $20 dues is well worth it..... I JOINED.

Thanks for the advice folks. I learned a lot this morning and am looking forward to learning more.
 
Congratulations Dudley,

I'm glad you had a good experience. As you well know, most of us have had good experience from joining a club.

You're on your way. As they say, welcome to the Vortex. See you on the next time around.... 😛
 
Hey Brad,

Thanks for giving it a shot and thanks especially for posting with how well it went. I'm hoping that your experience will encourage other folks to check out there nearest club as a way to pick up experience and advice.

Just so folks in general know, not all club meetings have open turning time or involved demonstrations at every meeting. We sometimes end up doing business for the whole meeting. This month will be a good example of that since we're electing new board members but we're following it up with a day of demos and open turning next month.

Dietrich
 
Hi Dudley,
It sounds like you were at Turners Anonymous.Welcome There are some great turners in the club and everyone is helpful.Sorry I couldn't be at yesterdays meeting.
Terry
 
Terry,
Yes I was at Turners Anonymous. The friendliness of the members started when I got out of my car and continued throughout the meeting. I really learned a lot and am looking forward to the next meeting. I understand that not all of the meetings are like this one, but I think I will enjoy them all.

Hopefully I'll see you at the next meeting!
 
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