This is what it is all about

[GBF]

his is what woodturning is about for me teaching people that want to learn and are prepared to spend a few bob to do it.
This is Steve and Jill Husband and wife who come here today to have an introduction to woodturning day course.
I have had their permission to put this pic up here.

[ALAN THOMAS RPT]

Nice one George ( or should that be nice 2  ) and you are right, this is what it is all about. 

[Les Symonds]

They've got a great finish on them, too.....it must be very rewarding, George.

Les

[GBF]

Thank you Alan and Les.
Yes it is very rewarding Les and don't they look pleased with themselves.It just proves the value of paid tuition with a good teacher.
I teach on average two to three students a week and this is the sort of results I get .


Regards George

[Mark Sanger]

Hi George

Glad you had a good day.

[GBF]

Teaching is always a good day for me Mark passing on knowledge to appreciative students.
If anybody is interested in how many happy students I have  there is quite a bit of info on my Blog
http://wwwartistry-in-wood.blogspot.co.uk/


Regards George

[Mark Sanger]

Teaching is always a good day for me Mark passing on knowledge to appreciative students.
If anybody is interested in how many happy students I have  there is quite a bit of info on my Blog
http://wwwartistry-in-wood.blogspot.co.uk/


Regards George

I agree, I very much enjoy teaching too.

[Steve Jones]

Well done George, you can see by their faces they have enjoyed the experience and I have no doubt you have as well. Two more people hooked on woodturning! Looking at their work you have done a good job with them.

This is not what it is all about for me though, I just love to turn wood and as long as I am stood at the lathe I am happy. I am very lucky to love my job and have the chance to do what I love all day every day. The worst part for me is the paperwork that we all have to do.
Woodturning needs people like yourself to pass on the craft.
I get no enjoyment from teaching (probably because I am rubbish at it) I would however like to pass on the slightly different craft of production turning as this seems to be the area of hand woodturning that is in decline. I hope my Grandson has the love and patience to serve an apprenticeship with me to continue the 300 year old family tradition.

[GBF]

That would be really good Steve how old is he.

Regards George

[Steve Jones]

That would be really good Steve how old is he.

Regards George

A long time to wait he is only 4. He already comes to the factory to see me. I used to sit for hours on the stairs at our old factory watching my Grandad from the age of six.  So fingers crossed and I hope I last as long as my Grandad he was still turning an 8 hour day at 83.

[GBF]

A while to go but if he enjoys watching you then you can let him have a go at quite a young age about ten ?


Regards George

[Steve Jones]

Sounds good to me George, I was 9 when I stood on a platform made for me and had my first goes at woodturning. I was hooked, I was allowed to rough out rails and pegs at 11 then at almost 16 a full time apprentice starting with stool rails. (None of the fun making bowls for me.)

[GBF]

It does not seem to have done you any ham.
I was 55 when I started but I have probably turned more hours than most people but for me it not how long or how many hours you have done it it all about how well you have done it.
I don't have any time for people who are happy to produce second rate work whatever the discipline.
When I did my apprenticeship I was very lucky I worked with first rate tradesmen and got paid for it.

Regards George

[Steve Jones]

Yes George, doesn't matter when you start, learning the basics right its no good turning badly for 50 years.
I too consider myself lucky to be taught by one of the best but believe me he was very strict and perfection was the only result. He would not accept second best at anytime he checked every rail I made and if slightly loose or tight he said nothing they were straight in with the firewood, he always praised me when he was happy and he  would say you learn to get it right first then speed follows with experience. That never changed he would never let standards slip and still passed his eye over my work after 18 years.
George we were the lucky ones to have the opportunity to have a real training very few will ever get that chance again.

[GBF]

Absolutely right Steve

Regards George