What I have learned this year

Re: another sucker

RonZ

>I really - really - really apologize! It was 2am here in Israel and I thought it would be silly since the whole family was in bed sleeping. I thought people would get it being along the lines of Mike's clothing remark.

Stupid me didn't think it's day time in the USA. Stupid me should have put at least a smily at the end.

Really sorry guys, Iguess I'll put on my serious hat until April 1st.

Lots of little things

Dominic Greco in Richboro PA

>

Mike,

Here goes,

• It's a great feeling to have so many friends I can talk woodworking with!



• Knowing when it's time to say, "I'm spending WAY too much time trying to fix this bowl/vase/platter/pen". Set it aside and continue with something else. If it's a total loss, consider it a learning exercise.



• Turning a pen so that the shape feels "just right" is a lot harder than it seems. Especially when you need to do it consistently.



• Learning to use a skew effectively will change the way you look at spindle turning forever!



• A sharp skew is awesome to use!



• However if you hold said sharpened skew incorrectly, you can take a spidle from from 0 to Absolutely Ruined in under 2 seconds.



• Nothing says, "Needle in a haystack" quite like dropping a 8-32 setscrew into a knee deep pile of wood shavings.



• Some techniques I learned while learning to turn hollow forms, will work just as effectively with bowls. The same goes for pen/bottle stopper turning, and small bowls. Take what you learn from all aspects of turning and try to apply it some place else. You might be pleasantly surprised.



• Selling a (2) $500 bowls is really nice. But selling (50) $20 items is a LOT nicer!



• Some people will never appreciate fine work.



• For every (5) of the type of people mentioned above, there is (1) that will. These are the people I try hardest to please.



• Never give your Mom a piece of work that you wouldn't want shown around the neighborhood. DAMHIKT

See ya around,

Dominic

Re: Lots of little things

Mike Schwing from Md.

>Dom,

The last one is priceless! HAHAHAHA! Totally agree about the Mom thing.

And, I'm glad you feel the way you do about the preferring 50 bowls at $20/ea vs 2 at $500. That way we won't cross market boundaries.

Re: Lots of little things

RonZ

>The last one is a riot, mom's my best advertising agent. =o)

I agree 100% about what you say about the skew, it was one of my best time investments. You can also ruin a spindle item with a gouge just as fast as a skew, though, I've got the kindling to prove it. =o)

Re: sorry to hear that

George Balock

>Hey Mike did you know that "gullable" is not in the dictionary?

one more

Shawn - in ID

>Fantastic points Mike! I'll add one that has only really sunk in for me recently:

Trust my gut; if something doesn't sound quite right or feel quite right - stop, turn the lathe off and figure out the problem before turning it back on. For me, 9 times out of 10, its a tool not sharp enough or poor presentation/angle to the wood...inefficient and dangerous, respectively.

Pssssttt...

BubbaBob

>...Ron, I don't know fer sure, but I think Shawn got you back...LOL

BubbaBob

No Problem Ron

Dave Peebles Lyons, Ohio!

>Hi Ron,

I guessed you were kidding from the tone of your post. And was kind of surpised that some took you seriously. But this is coming from a guy who has made those kind of light hearted comments myself.

Happy Holidays,

Dave

Re: Pssssttt...

RonZ

>Well, if he did, I fell for it and deserved it. =o)

Re: sorry to hear that

Don Henthorn Smithville, Texas

>But I thought I had read "Gullibals Travels" once.

Re: What I have learned this year

Don Henthorn Smithville, Texas

>Great thread, Mike. Even an old has been like me learns something far more freqently here than one would imagine.(-: