Re: Sounds Good To Me - Long
Mark Kauder, Phenix City, AL
>I am not sure what the point would be. If you pick my "Turning" brain, all you will see are bits that I have picked from other turners, Russ Fairfield, Terry Daniels, Bill Grumbine, Wally Dickerman, Dom Greco, Joel Hunnicut, Andi Wolfe, Art Liestman, Hal Simmons, Bobby Clemons, Dale Nish, Frank Bowers, David Woodruff, Nick Cook, Leroy Paul, Curt Thebold, Kevin Neeley, Gary Hern, Judy Ditmer, Richard Raffin,....in other words every turner that I have ever been in contact with through books, webpages, email, demos, and discussions.
Ask me about laying up a segmented bowl, and you will get a regurgitation of Kevin Neeley's web page along with a discussion of Hot Hide Glue from Michael Dresdner. As me about finishing, you will get a discourse on the value of good sanding from Gary Hern, and Russ Fairfield, and lacquer application an finishing from David Woodruff. As me about form, and you will hear Wally Dickerman, Bill Grumbine, Keith Tomkins, and Russ Fairfild come out.
Hey, I am up for it, but maybe the discussion should be "How do we learn about turning". Some people never do. The are too busy trying to rush into the shop and come out with a "Finished Bowl" an hour later. I have a guy in my shop like that. Want to sell turned stuff at craft shows - heaps praise on my work, but listens and does not hear when critiqued on the clunky form of is work, piss poor sanding, and absolutly nasty finishing.
I feel very fortunate at the praise that I am getting here - floored really - I am just trying to get up to the level of the Keith Tompkins and Wally Dickerman's around here.
I would say that here are 4 phases in my turning - beyond the turn on the lathe and try not to get hurt stage.
1) Back on Badger Pond I was fortunate enough to have Wally Dickermann and Bill Grumbine not just chime in with "Good Work" posts when I posted a piece. They pivately emailed me and critiqued my form so that I would not be embarrased - though I usually asked that they go ahead and post for all to learn from.
2) I complained about sanding - any sanding, and Gary Hern drove home the point that sanding is more than have the technical side. You may get them to look from across the room at a piece, the the sanding and the finishing closes the deal (not necessarily talking about money changing hands)
3) Learn not to rush the work. Too many people try to walk in the shop, and walk out an hour later with a finished bowl. More often then not it looks like it.
4) Learn to only be satified with your best. The Box Elder bowl will only sell for about $150 in the market that I live it, and I am not rushing out to expand that market right now. None the less, I spent probalby 3-4 hours just in the sanding of the lacquer - spray, wait, and sand - over and over again, The ultimate owner may not notice a small blemish, but I will know it is there.
SO, Yeah, I am up for it, but mostly because I will learn more from all of you, then you will learn from me.
Mark
