Why Grandpa?
I love turning wood so I’ve turned many different kinds of projects and lots of different materials over the years. I don’t know about you, but very little about turning came naturally for me. It seems like I have to learn everything the hard way. It was a big deal for me to go 5 minutes without a catch when I first began. Then 10 minutes, then 1 hour and so on. I finally figured it out.
We are told that “To whom much is given, much is required.” I feel the need to pass what I’ve learned on to those not quite as far along on this journey. Somewhere during either a training class or in a book on business or sales training on cassette tape, I encountered the following advice which has proven to be right on the money.
Until you can explain something so that a 7 year old can understand it, you need further refinement and simplification. When your 7 year old grandchild asks, “Why, Grandpa?” and you have an answer thy can understand, then you are ready to stand before a crowd of adults and give your presentation/demonstration/pitch.
When you adopt this approach to explaining why or how, you will be amazed how much more clearly you will be understood. Of course you can add many more details afterwards as necessary, but you need to open with the most simple and easily understood description possible, so even a 7 year old can understand it.
If you will go one step further in your preparation and ask “WHY?” four more times, you will be amazed what you discover. For example, you might discover that there is no good reason you are doing it that way. You might discover a better, faster, more efficient way to do something. This is one of the methods I use to streamline my own processes and methodologies. Why is it necessary to do this step now? Why does it have to be done at all? What if I wait to do this later in the process? and so on. Sometimes I discover that the process is about as efficient as it is going to get. Most of the time, I eliminate steps save time and become more efficient.
There is a time to do things the hard way, but not always. Improvements can usually be made, but not always. You will find a deeper satisfaction for our wonderful hobby of woodturning when you examine why you do things a certain way through the eyes of a 7 year old. As with most of the advice I give you within my weekly newsletters, this advice has far reaching application into many other aspects of our daily life. We wish you a Merry Christmas because wherever you go, there you are.
Here is my inspiration for this message:
Psalm 119:32 NIV I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding.
Proverbs 1:2 NIV for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight;
James 3:13 NIV Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
We will be getting on an airplane on Jan 3, 2018 for Baltimore, Md and the season opener for The Woodworking Shows. Thank you for a wonderful 2017. Show Schedule Here
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Universal Setting Jig, Quad, Gouge Set-Up Blocks, 6 Piece Platform Set Up and Angle Gauges, Sharpen Like An Expert DVD
Simple Jam Chuck
(New Item)
My son, Christopher, loves to turn cast resin and burl projects. He has developed a simple jamb chuck which you will find very useful and durable. Cast from Alumilite resin so it is almost unbreakable the Simple Jam Chuck is meant to be used between centers. Simply expand your chuck jaws into the cast recess in the back of the jam chuck and mount your project using the tailstock. <more> Very Limited Quantities Available.
Shipping policy for this Christmas Season:
Free USA shipping for all domestic orders over $50. For orders less than $50 a flat rate of $7.99. I simply cannot afford to continue shipping the smaller orders for free.
Just so you know, here is a partial list of the items we make right in our own shop in Atlanta, Georgia, USA:
Amazing Doughnut Chucks, Amazing Bucket Caddy, Universal Setting Jig, Quad Setting Jig, Golden Mean Calipers, Indexing Wheels, Laser Cut Kits and Inlays, Gluing Guides for Laser Cut Kits, Made By Medallions for your work, Gouge SetUp Blocks, Angle Gauge SetUp Blocks, How-To DVS's 100% produced and published in-house
Special prices for Club Buys
If your club is interested in putting a Group Buy together, CBN Wheels for example 10 or more, Laser Cut Kits 50 or more, Turners Laser Guides 10 or more, Amazing Doughnut Chucks or Longworth Chucks, I can provide very special pricing. Drop me a note at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Including Bottle Stopper Designs - 50 Plus classic designs. Free PDF.
Amazing Doughnut Chuck™ Instructions
ProGrind Instructions
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