Counting your blessings

So very true ! .

Fred in NC

>"Every time we help a newbie here at WC, we are all helping someone in ways we may not even realize..."

"someone" is an understatement. Those you help will, in many cases, help others!

Many, like myself, have found in this forum a warm welcome, encouragement, and friendship. In my case this was much more important than any technical help.

Blessings abound. Let them multiply.

Re: Counting your blessings

Glenn Hodges

>I was upset by the idea that Ken's request for help caused somone on this forum to fire off a nasty email to him. I follow WoodCentral every day, and I have learned so much from it. I do not think I have much to offer, but when I can I help. I also try to give back to new turners with instruction and free wood because 5 years ago I remember how thirsty I was for any help I could find.

Glenn Hodges

Nashville, GA

Re: Counting your blessings

Jim Davies, Clayton, NJ

>I for one wish to thank all those that are so willing to share their expertese. I have been a long standing member of other forums and have spent many hours answering what seems likke the same old thing helping others in their quest to learn and was very happy when I found this group. I am not an expert turner, never claimed to be, but have been working with the lathe and stone for a number of years. When I decided to try small hollow forms and bowls I needed help and found it here. Not so much as the posts to my few questions by by reading the posts to questions asked by others trying to master this art form.

I hope the willingness of this group never stops!

Thanks again!

Jim D.

Re: Counting your blessings

John Lucas

>Keith

You mirrored my sentiments exactly. I had been layed off 2 jobs, was getting nowhere in photography because everytime I started getting ahead I would get layed off a job and not have enough money to keep going at the level I was trying to achieve. When I got this job I had a boss who was always trying to make you feel dumb.

Woodturning changed all that. I got my self respect back and now both turning and photography are growing. I remember how hard it was to learn and all the mistakes I made with no instruction. I think the best thing I can do is try to keep others from making those same mistakes and If I can help them enjoy this wonderful art form as much as Ihave then great.

You already mentioned friends. There isn't a better group of people.

Demand Answers

Stuart Johnson

>I have received so much information and help from this forum and WOW but have only been able to contribute a small bit.

From time to time things get a little testy but I think that is more from someone demanding an answer rather than asking a question then challenging the resulting answer rather than asking for claification. One other thing to remember is what Ken felt was a nasty email might from the sender's view point have been helpful information with only good intentions.

On the other hand regardless of the majority of the feelings on this board there are turners that are just plain selfish jerks. These turners will only take knowledge and then gloat because they know more than the newbie.

Re: Counting your blessings

Wally Dickerman in Arizona

>For the first 40 some years of my life in woodturning I never once had contact with another turner. In those "dark ages" of woodturning there weren't any videos, very few books, no clubs that I knew of, certainly no websites, and in fact, very few turners. In the early 80's I attended a woodturning demonstration, my first ever. There I met a number of other turners, and my life in turning hasn't been the same since.

For many years I've been interested in helping other turners. I've taught over 300 students in classes and in my shop. I think that the fact that I turned in isolation for so many years has something to do with my enjoyment in doing that. For the past 3 years I've visited several turning websites, lately mostly WC and WoW. I hope that the advice that I've occasionally been able to offer beginning turners has been helpful. I enjoy doing it. I wish that I'd had one or more mentors back in the old days.

Wally

Re: Counting your blessings

Russ Fairfield

>Wally,

I think we may have lived in Western Washington at about that same time. I had found only 2 other woodturners in the early '60s, Denver Ullery in Seattle and Ted Bartholomew in Tacoma. They told me about a guy in Everett. Was that you??

I was working out of my pattern/machine shop on Lake Union across the street from the old gas plant on Fairview North at the time. If you remember the old schooner whose bowsprit stuck out over the street, it was my neighbor.

Re: Counting your blessings

Wally Dickerman in Arizona

>Russ,

I knew both Denver and Ted, but not until the 80's. Denver was in the group when I attended my first demo, which was by Dale Nish. I later became very good friends with Denver. I also met Bonnie Klein and Michael Peterson there.

I lived most of my life in Puget Sound country. My wife and I were in boating for many years and for several years, before moving to Anacortes, moored our boat in Lake Union. I know the old schooner that you mentioned.

Wally

Re: Counting your blessings

echo8287

>I help people all the time on the net. I have always enjoyed doing it. Being in the plumbing & electrical business and construction in general I've given my opinion on alot of problems. I've received many thank you's. I've also been helped many times on other subjects(turning,welding,tile work,small equipment repair,etc.) and given plenty of good advice. I always figured what goes around comes around. These are some of the things that make the internet a great place. There are way more good people than bad on the net and we get to see that all the time here on Wood Central. I'm pretty much a newbie on turning and the people on this site are extremely nice,no flaming,no harsh comments. There should be more sites like this. Thanks to all that reply to my questions,I appreciate it very much and if I can ever help you I'd be glad to,David

Re: Counting your blessings

George Van in WI

>I hope that many of the experienced turners and some not so experienced turners know how important your comments are to those of us who are asking and learning. Many of you whom we have never met become dinner table names just like the neighbors. As I was advised and have had the opportunity I have taken classes and attended demos. The problem at times is there is too much to absorb and many questions arise later. This forum is a good place for help and constructive criticism. Some times the questions may be the same but it is a different new turner asking, growth is good.

Thanks all for the time you take to answer the questions!