Skills Enhancement

Initial email (2/22/25) from Duane introducing program

MCW Members,

If you didn’t attend the February club meeting, you may have missed the news that the club is restarting hands-on skills enhancement sessions. The first session will be Friday March 7, at 1:30-4:30 pm at the Woodworkers Club. Below is a summary (sorry for the length) of how we intend the skills sessions to occur. I will send reminder emails as we get closer to the March 7 date.

Skills Enhancement Sessions: 

·       The sessions will be somewhat different than what we had pre-Covid. The idea is open lathe time for folks to bring their own project, with experienced turners available to answer questions, give guidance, and otherwise help attendees. It’s been awhile since we had skills enhancement and this iteration will be different, so the club considers this to be experimental initially. That is, the club will evaluate how it’s going after a few months.

·       I’ve volunteered to coordinate the sessions. But I can’t do this alone. We need some experienced folks to help out. We will want 2 or 3 (or more) folks to help out each month, but there is no long-term commitment.

·       The cost to members attending will be $15. (Note that the club is paying part of the cost.)

·       We will have use of the classroom, the lathes (up to 7, we think), the necessary chucks, drive and live centers, the sharpening systems, drill press, and the bandsaw.  

·       Members must bring their own woodturning tools and protective faceshields/gear. 

·       Members or MCW will provide the wood used in the sessions. Attendees needing wood should ask.

·       Sessions will generally be scheduled at 1:30-4:30 on alternating Fridays and Sundays after our monthly club meeting. First session is Friday March 7. We strongly urge folks to let me know in advance if you want to attend. If we fill up, it will be first-come, first-to-get-a-lathe-spot, based on folks who have signed up. If sessions are not full, it will be fine for folks to attend who have not signed up.

·       The club’s insurance policy covers members at the Skills Sessions for injury. 

·       Attendees will help clean up the space at the end of each session.

·       (I’ve likely forgotten something, so…) any questions, please ask me.

·       Any experienced turners wanting to volunteer to help out, please let me know.

·       Anyone wanting to attend the March 7 session, please let me know.

Duane Schmidt

Skills Enhancement Sessions Coordinator