BEGINNERS

[TONY MALIN]

It occurs to me that it might be a good idea to have a category devoted to beginners. Newcomers might be less inhibited.

[Lazurus]

That's a great idea, would be less intimidating for some members. 

[Les Symonds]

I have reservations about that, for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, the AWGB is very much an 'open' organisation which promotes wood-turning from all levels of experience, so segregating any one section of the wood-turning community doesn't sit well in my interpretation of the association's ethos. Secondly, how could such a matter work? If it were possible to segregate beginners, then you might deny them access to a wealth of experience, but being realistic, any member can open a post from any other member, and comment upon it,,,,and surely this is how it should be!

Les

[Graham]

I am with Les. Anyway how does one decide when you stop being a beginner.

[bodrighywood]

Some of the regulars on here have been turning for only a few years though those who don't know that would pehaps be surprised to find it out. Others who aren't as good may have been turning for many years. I don't see how you can define beginners as such simply because some click straight away and quickly start doing more advanced work whilst others are happy to just stick to basics.

Pete

[Bryan Milham]

Maybe a beginners guide off of the main website, just before the link to this forum.

Something that explains that we (in the forum) are prepare to help a new or improving turner learn and develop, that we don't tend to be like most forum Ohh'ing and Ahh'ing over anything that is posted.

Might be hard to get the words and sentiment right though. However I think we do a good job of it, honesty with politeness is not always an easy thing.

[TONY MALIN]

This is already getting out of hand. I withdraw the suggestion.

[Lazurus]

This is already getting out of hand. I withdraw the suggestion.

Seconded

 

[Eric Harvey]

Tony I think this was the obvious way this post was going to go,with all the clubs out there and the people here and the AWGB that are always willing to go out of their way to help beginners/low esteem turners,but nice try,it got some thoughts out in the open,maybe some will now post things here or ask for help after being unsure wether to before,cheers,

Eric.

[steve w]

It occurs to me that it might be a good idea to have a category devoted to beginners. Newcomers might be less inhibited.

i would class myself as a beginner and in need of alot of help and expert tuition, but think to catogorise all beginner posts to one section would stop me posting all together, it was this way of thinking that made me feel unwelcome at a club.

[TONY MALIN]

Steve
That was far from what I anticipated, and would not have precluded people from using other categories.

I got the idea following the recent post from Janet P. She has not yet started turning (a pre beginner?) and asked what basic tools she required simply to make a start on a LOW budget. Did you see the replies? I genuinely thought it might be helpful, but who knows?

I was pretty sure it would not be adopted, but didn't anticipate some of the responses.