More Than One
Last week we were at the Meadowlands in Secaucus, New Jersey for The Woodworking Show’s three day trade show. Friday was the day the Fierce Nor’easter struck and we were right in the middle of the mayhem. There were high winds and very wet and heavy snow all around us. Somehow, there was about a two mile bubble with us in the center that got only a small fraction of the bad weather, the snow didn’t even stick where we were. A few miles away a roof at LaGuardia International Airport collapsed from the high winds and snow. Obviously Friday’s sales were a bit light (read awful).
Many years ago I was lamenting my business troubles to Sweet Janice who is a longtime registered nurse. So just to give me a little perspective, she said perhaps the wisest thing anyone ever said to me. “Ron, this is only about money, when I have a bad day, someone dies.” So for woodturners having a bad day, it’s only about some time, a lump of wood and perhaps a few dollars. Last week’s Nor’easter claimed 7 lives including 2 children and all I had was a slow day at a trade show.
By Saturday, the roads had cleared and the folks we missed on Friday all came and brought their friends and neighbors. Many of them returned for the festivities on Sunday as well. You need more than one day to make an accurate judgement for a show. You need to turn more than one bowl, or pen, or bottle stopper to understand what is going on. You need more than one bowl gouge with different grinds because different tasks require different shapes to work efficiently. The same is true for spindle gouges, roughing gouges, skews and scrapers. Yes you can get by with one tool, but while it will be perfect for one task, it will fall short for others.
There is great value in taking turning classes in groups for this exact reason. You may be an experienced turner, but being in a class will expose you to more than one way to do something. Sometimes there are superior methods to do what you have been doing, because there is always more than one right way to do something. I had the opportunity to turn some spinning tops a couple of weeks ago. I’ve made in excess of 13,000 and for reasons I don’t understand, I still love to make spinning tops. I discovered after all this time, that I could texture my tops AFTER I part off the handle. I could actually move the tailstock out of the way and have much better access to the surface of the disk! And I only had to make 13,000 the other way to figure it out.
Woodturning is a hobby. Some folks take it more seriously than others, but still for 99% of us, it is something we do for relaxation and to express our creative side; turning wood is just plain fun. Be flexible and venture out with different wood, methods and tools. Spend some time watching turning videos, both the kind you buy and the ones you find on YouTube. You will keep it fresh and interesting because wherever you go, there you are.
Here is my inspiration for this week’s message:
Prov 30:18-19 NIV There are three things that are too amazing for me, four that I do not understand: the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a young woman.
2Cor 9:8 NIV And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
Phil 1:9 NET And I pray this, that your love may abound even more and more in knowledge and every kind of insight.
Ron's YouTube Channel - Coolhammerman
https://www.youtube.com/user/coolhammerman
<Go Here>
Next show Milwaukee County Sports Complex 6000 W Ryan Road Franklin, WI 53132 March 9-11, 2018
Show Schedule Here
Reminder:
During the show season we travel each week from January through March. I can check my email morning and evening and answer your questions in a timely manner. The phone is a different story. Please use email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for the best results.
This Week's Sale
Save $100 Uses Standard EasyWood Replacement Cutters
MadeBy Medallions
Order a full sheet at regular price and get a half sheet free with your order.
This offer has been extremely popular so I'll offer it for one more week. Valid through March 12th, 2018.
VariGrind 2
Universal Setting Jig Does Work!
John Atkins sent me this photo which answers a question I get regularly. Will the Universal Setting Jig work with the OneWay Varigrind 2. Yes it will by placing the foot of the Universal at the location indicated in the photo. Now we know! Thanks John.
Announcing the Sweepstakes Winners for The first 7 shows of 2018
Dana Schack - $250
Consuelo Stacheli - $100
Robert LeBrand - $50
Scott Emory - $250
Nancy Kerns - $100
Richard Mudd - $50
These folks were selected at random from entries submitted at one of the first 7 woodworking shows of 2018. They have won gift certificates in the amounts specified valid towards any merchandise offered at www.ronbrownsbest.com. Each certificate is valid through 05/01/2018. If your name is listed please contact us to redeem your gift when you have made your choice(s) of merchandise. Congratulations!
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 DVD'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.
Made By Medallions Identify your work
This year, mark your treasures with a professionally created wooden "Made By Medallion" available in 1" and 1-1/4" disks with your name and information. Cut from 1/8" Baltic Birch, you simply drill a shallow recess with a Forstner bit and glue it permanently in place. Those who receive your treasure know exactly who made it and if you wish, how to contact you.
<more>
Including Bottle Stopper Designs - 50 Plus classic designs. Free PDF.
Amazing Doughnut Chuck™ Instructions
ProGrind Instructions
We have bundled several of the most popular documents into one down-loadable zip file for your convenience. Still no charge.
