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Turning Tool Donation

Joined
May 4, 2004
Messages
230
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11
Location
Schenectady, NY
I have several vintage turning tools that I would like to donate somewhere. I thought the "Turners Without Borders" program might want them. They are not HSS, just older carbon tool steel. They are in good shape with lots of life left, maybe a bit of cleaning and sharpening. I have tried to find out if these would be acceptable but have either received a vague answer or none at all from AAW. Does anyone know for sure if these older tools are accepted? I probably have 20 or more that I don't use that someone else could. I don't want to send them out and just have them discarded.
Thanks for any insight.

Don
 
Joined
Jul 26, 2016
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Location
Nebraska
You could donate them to a local maker space or Goodwill, the tools will end up in the hands
of a woodturner one way or the other. You should also be able to write them off at the end of
the year.
 
Joined
Apr 1, 2015
Messages
603
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443
Location
Sitka, Alaska, United States
Website
www.zachlaperriere.com
Don,

First off: good job on trying to see some decent tools get use. That would be great to send them off to Turners Without Borders, if possible.

Here's a second idea. I don't know if Industrial Arts are still taught in your area in middle and highschool...I went by my local middle school shop program to help the shop teacher with an AAW grant application, and they are still using "slow speed" steel tools. These older tools are just fine for kids learning to sharpen and turn for the first time.

I was astounded to learn that my local middle school shop has a budget of $1200 dollars to maintain and replace tools, buy sandpaper, supplies, etc. for a total class size of over 100 kids. The remaining Industrial Arts and Shop classes need all the help we can give them!

I don't have a local AAW chapter, but I've thought to get the few local turners together to better support our shop program. I donate lots of wood, but I'd love to see them have a few chucks and better sharpening systems. A 13-year old girl showed me the Xmas tree ornament she made with ancient Buck Bros scrapers, and the joy in her eyes...it melted my heart.
 
Joined
May 4, 2004
Messages
230
Likes
11
Location
Schenectady, NY
Thanks for the ideas. Still hoping for some kind of confirmation from AAW one way or another. I spoke with Phil MacDonald a while back and he did not know for sure. Tried email via the "contact us" and got no response. I guess they're not all that committed to this. Haven't heard much about it in the last year or so. Anyone know who runs the program?
 
Joined
Jul 14, 2010
Messages
207
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143
Location
College Station, TX
Thanks for the ideas. Still hoping for some kind of confirmation from AAW one way or another. I spoke with Phil MacDonald a while back and he did not know for sure. Tried email via the "contact us" and got no response. I guess they're not all that committed to this. Haven't heard much about it in the last year or so. Anyone know who runs the program?
Don, thanks for your generous offer. I am on the TWB committee but I am not involved directly with the tool donation program and don't know how they are collected other than at the symposium. All I know is every year at the AAW symposium there is a box for donated tools in the registration area. AAW is expanding the outreach program in Latin America. As a result I know we could use more donated tools. I can find out who is in charge of the program or you can simply drop the tools off at the symposium or if you are not going maybe someone in your club or near you could bring them to the symposium for you. I don't think it matters whether they are HHS. The recipients would just have to sharpen them more often if they are carbon steel.
 

Emiliano Achaval

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I have several vintage turning tools that I would like to donate somewhere. I thought the "Turners Without Borders" program might want them. They are not HSS, just older carbon tool steel. They are in good shape with lots of life left, maybe a bit of cleaning and sharpening. I have tried to find out if these would be acceptable but have either received a vague answer or none at all from AAW. Does anyone know for sure if these older tools are accepted? I probably have 20 or more that I don't use that someone else could. I don't want to send them out and just have them discarded.
Thanks for any insight.

Don
I took a set of 12 donated tools to twb to Argentina. They usually accept them at the simposium. Call Lind ferber at AAW offices and tell her you want to donate some tools....
 
Joined
Sep 14, 2007
Messages
9
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0
Looks like this donation is all set, however, going forward, if anyone is looking to donate tools or supplies, here's another option. The San Diego Woodturners Club has a program similar to the Wounded Warriors, but not affiliated. We operate under the YMCA umbrella. Our club maintains three turning centers for wounded veterans, one at the Balboa Naval Center, one at Camp Pendelton Marine Base and one at the Aspire Veterans facility. We maintain 5 mid size lathes at each site. The entire program is operated by club volunteers and runs solely on donations. We are always in need of tools and supplies. If you have something you'd care to donate, please send me a private email and I'll connect you with the right person at our club.
Our program is call "Turn Around for Vets" or TAV.
Steve
 
Joined
Jul 14, 2010
Messages
207
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143
Location
College Station, TX
Looks like this donation is all set, however, going forward, if anyone is looking to donate tools or supplies, here's another option. The San Diego Woodturners Club has a program similar to the Wounded Warriors, but not affiliated. We operate under the YMCA umbrella. Our club maintains three turning centers for wounded veterans, one at the Balboa Naval Center, one at Camp Pendelton Marine Base and one at the Aspire Veterans facility. We maintain 5 mid size lathes at each site. The entire program is operated by club volunteers and runs solely on donations. We are always in need of tools and supplies. If you have something you'd care to donate, please send me a private email and I'll connect you with the right person at our club.
Our program is call "Turn Around for Vets" or TAV.
Steve
I admire what you guys do for our heroes, Steve.
 
Joined
Sep 14, 2007
Messages
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0
Thank you Andy. They are a great bunch of kids, and at my age, they're all kids,:) They get a lot out of the program, but we volunteers get a lot too. Seeing an injured vet learning to turn and watching their face light up with the satisfaction of making a pen, bottle topper or box, is incredibly satisfying and heartwarming.
Steve
 
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