Woodturners in Polk County Florida

[ebrannon]

I spend 3 months a year in Central Florida in Lake Wales. Typically, I do not bring a lathe with me, but this year I am bringing my Jet Mini to work on smalls and teach a friend. I cannot bring everything, and will be shy my sharpening set up, so if I could find a place were I could sharpen my gouges once in a while, I think I can get by with a hone. Last year I took Don Gieger's course at the Fl Symposium and it is my favorite.

I have not turned in Florida in the past because my wife has an issue with wood chips in EVERYTHING - you understand. I like to turn on my back screen room, and with a breeze, the screens look like some strange wood bomb went off. Now I do it out in the yard, but looking for a shed.

Wondering if anyone gets together around Lake Wales/Polk County that I could meet up with and enjoy some turning.

If some of you know what goes on, let me know. I have attended the Central Florida meeting at Woodcraft in Orlando, but wondering if something is closer to Lake Wales.

Ed

 

[Charlie Knighton]

you might want to attend this event

http://floridawoodturningsymposium.com/

 

[DOCworks]

Central Florida Woodturners

Ed,
We look forward to seeing you in Orlando. If you get down this way you are welcome to use my set up to sharpen your tools. The villages has a club but you have to be a property owner to join, I'm not sure if they allow visitors. I'll check our roster and see if there is anyone up in the Eustis area.
Bill
Treasurer CFW

 

[ebrannon]

I plan on attending the club meetings in Orlando at Woodcraft store.

I am also signed up to attend the symposium on February, but still looking to see if there is a club further south near Lake Wales. Last year I met someone from Sebring who was a turner, but did not keep his name.

Looking forward to heading south soon. Getting cold in PA.

ed

 

[Don Geiger]

Polk County woodturning

Hi Ed:

I enjoyed having you in my class. I will be teaching two calsses on sharpening again at the Florida Woodturning Symposium which incidently has been moved to February. As usual there are several hands-on classes on Friday followed by two days of demonstrations and fun. I am bringing my new Robust American Beauty 25" lathe for the demonstrators to use.

There is a club called the Polk County Woodturners that meets in Bartow monthly. I've done a couple of demos for this club and they are a great bunch of turners. You can find thier information on the AAW Chapters list.

Also, David Ellsworth is making a tour through Florida in March. As part of this, he will be conducting a hands-on class at Al Hockenbury's shop arranged by the Tri-County Woodturners (look for the club information on the AAW site). Al's shop is too far from where you will be.

Look up the International Wood Collectors Society. They meet at Lake Yale each winter and have some turning and carving classes etc. going on. It's a real interesting and diverse event.

I teach one-on-one bowl turning classes at my shop near Gainesville. I've got three lathes (Robust, Stubby and a mini lathe) It's a couple of hours from where you will be.

I hope to see you at the Florida Woodturning Symposium again!


Don Geiger

 

[hockenbery]

Ed,
Give me a call
The Woodturners of Polk County Meet the 2nd thursday of the Month in the Bartow civic center. No meeting in Dec -Christmas dinner party
Missed one heck of bowl demo last night I showed my lightning fast reflexes when I waved the gouge around, let it hit the bowl, and pulled it back avoiding a violent contact with the tool rest. the value of focus.

may be a spot in Trent Bosch class 19-21 January. This is a great opportunity if you lean towards bowls and hollow forms.
probable demo 20 Jan Central Florida

Florida Symposium Feb 4-5-6

Tampa Woodworking show March 18-19-20

David Ellsworth class March filled

David Ellsworth Demo Tri-county in Lutz March 26

Happy turning,
Al

 

[ebrannon]

Thanks for the information. Looking forward to the symposium and club meetings.

Ed

 

[Barbara Gill]

Ed I set up a sharpening system using the outboard side of my Mercury lathe. It works very well and makes not having a grinder workable.