Not Everyone’s Cup Of Tea
There is a great lesson in that old anecdote. One of the great benefits of having lived this long is the privilege of having seen so many different situations, to have seen so many things come and go. Among other things I’ve been involved in is the Gwinnett Woodworkers Association woodworking club in Atlanta, Georgia. I founded it in 1998.
The first meeting was me and three other people. The last time I checked there were about 200 members. Today, they are alive and well with Special Interest Groups (SIGs) for turning, scroll sawing and a computer users group with emphasis on Sketch Up type design software. Many hundreds of folks have come and gone in the past 20 years, many of whom I still count as personal friends.
Turning wood is much the same. Some folks are enamored with making writing pens, some with spinning tops, bowls, Harry Potter Wands, or segmented bowls and vases. Then their interest changes to something new. One of my dear friends was deeply involved in club activities and turning wood but now spends most of his time flying RC planes. Another is now a Golf fanatic and so it goes. I choose to treasure those friendships no matter where they lead.
I also find that the parable of the sower (Matthew 13) applies often as we encounter many different situations. For example, not everyone likes to turn bowls from the beginning. Others turn a few bowls then lose interest. Some have such difficulty turning traditional bowl grain orientation that they give up after a while. Then there are those who stick with bowl turning and all of the intricacies and become very accomplished bowl turners, I’m thinking of Mike Mahoney and Glenn Lucas as examples.
For the last twelve years I have been privileged to travel each year with The Woodworking Shows to many cities all across America. Some of the cities change from year to year, but some are always on the schedule. Vendors have come and gone, customers have come and gone, and small children have now grown into fine young adults. We look forward to seeing certain folks at specific cities each year to catch up on events since we last met. People change, interests change, products and methods change, finances change. For me and my house we know who holds our tomorrow and that will never change.
It means so much to Janice and I when we hear from so many of you who enjoy our weekly newsletters and how very often our words arrive at just the right time to comfort and sometimes guide folks who needed to hear that specific message. I know because you tell me about them. Thank you for that. Remember that wherever you go, there you are.
Here is my inspiration for this week’s message:
Matthew 13: 3-9 NIV
Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
This Week's Sale
CBN Grinding Wheels & Set Up Aids Combo
Save $40 each wheel (80 or 180 grit)
Add 4 piece Setup Aid Pack for $49.99
(With CBN Purchase only)
($105 value)
Overstock Sale
Save 33% on Gouge SetUp Blocks
Now With Engraved Setting Guides!
Everyone will tell you that it is impossible to use a laser engraver on HDPE plastic. After a year of trying, I figured out how to do it. I engraved brief instructions right onto each setup block for quick and easy reference. The photo above shows both sides of one set (2 pieces).
Ron Brown's Best Gouge Setup Blocks™
It Only Takes Two
This will set the correct arm angle for sharpening 4 HSS wood turning gouges.
These have been modified to work with the OneWay Wolverine Varigrind #1 gouge grinding fixture used for bowl and spindle gouge sharpening. They are milled from HDPE and are extremely durable. They are calibrated to work only with 8" grinding wheels. They won't work with 6" grinders, sorry.
<more>
Introducing a limited production run of
20" Longworth Type 2 Chucks for Powermatic, Robust and lathes with capacities of 20" or greater.
Longworth Type 2 20inch Model with 13" Maple Bowl Traditional Longworth Configuration
Longworth Type 2 20inch Model with 13" Maple Bowl with Doughnut Ring
<Video>
Ron's YouTube Channel - Coolhammerman
https://www.youtube.com/user/coolhammerman
<Go Here>
Introducing
Ron Brown's Best
Longworth Style Chuck Type 2
For 10", 12" & 16" Lathes
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
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.