Let Them Eat Cake
That phrase is widely attributed to Marie-Antoinette (1755-93), the Queen consort of Louis XVI. She is supposed to have said this when she was told that the French populace had no bread to eat.
There is a huge lesson here. We take things for granted all too often when trying to help others or when we are explaining how to accomplish a specific project in woodworking. That phrase reminds me that not everyone has the same understanding, capabilities or equipment that we might have. Just because someone turns wood, that doesn’t mean that they have a band saw. They might not have a table saw or drill press, or an 8 inch grinder. Some folks can’t see very well or hear very well.
I saved up my pennies and bought a laser so that I could offer a wide variety of laser cut inlay kits most often used to make Christmas ornaments, small vases, lidded boxes, bottle stoppers or coasters. One day I got a call from a fellow wanting to make some Christmas ornaments using my kits but he needed a source for the core material. I suggested 1.75” x 1.75” x 4.5” hardwood. I recommended that he visit his local hardwood supplier for 8/4 material then rip to the correct width. He didn’t have a table saw. He lived in a condo and pulled his lathe out in the carport whenever he needed to use it. If he couldn’t get the cores he couldn’t use the Laser Cut Kits he was planning on making as gifts for his family this coming Christmas. The wood lathe was his only piece of power equipment.
Another customer called last week thanking me for offering the gouge sharpening set up aids and the Quad set up tool for the skews, parting tools, scrapers and roughing gouges. He said his sight was failing and he just couldn’t see well enough anymore to use the sharpie method for gouges. These set up sharpening aids rocked his world!
I was listening to a commentator on the radio who lives in or near Washington DC. He commented that he had recently been traveling to cities in the Midwest and was slapped with the reality that people outside of DC are going about their daily lives without being consumed every minute by politics. Those folks were busy living their lives, fishing, golfing, attending kid’s soccer games, baseball games and family picnics; except in Minnesota where they are still shoveling the sidewalks and driveways in the middle of April. He said you could feel the difference.
I would encourage you to look beyond your own universe and understand that others may be living with a very different set of circumstances. They could be fighting health or family issues. They might be trying to decide between the $100 bowl scraper they want and a $15 bowl scraper they can afford. Take the time to find out about them and their world because wherever you go, there you are.
Here is my inspiration for this week’s message:
1Thess 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Romans 12:4 NIV For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,
1 Corinthians 7:17 MSG And don't be wishing you were someplace else or with someone else. Where you are right now is God's place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there. God, not your marital status, defines your life. Don't think I'm being harder on you than on the others. I give this same counsel in all the churches.
Save 10% off any order through April 23rd, 2018. Coupon Code "April10" at checkout.
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Introducing
Ron Brown's Best
Longworth Style Chuck Type 2
Threads directly onto your lathe spindle,
Made of tough 1/2" HDPE,
Dual Purpose Doughnut Chuck Option - Two Chucks In One
I am pleased to introduce an new hybrid chuck which combines the traditional capabilities of the Longworth Chuck with optional Doughnut Chuck rings all into one package.
If you only want a Longworth type chuck the new Type 2 threads directly onto your lathe spindle. You can add the doughnut chuck option and have the best of both worlds all in one chuck.
Short <Video> See it in action
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.
