First Chapter Meeting

[Isaac Litster]

I'm not sure where to put this post, but I live in Alaska and am a senior in high school. This Tuesday I am flying to Eugene, Oregon, to visit my grandparents. I have been turning since last summer, but there are no chapters around me that I have a way to get to because I live on an island. I will be in Oregon for a month and will be going between Eugene and Bend/La Pine, I am very interested in meeting other woodturners and I'm hoping to join a chapter meeting. Using the AAW site, I found the Beaver State Woodturners, and I will be in Oregon for one of the meetings on the 27th. Would it be possible for me to come to that, if so, what do I need to know/bring?

 

[Steve Tiedman]

Being in MN, I have nothing to offer. But, I think you have a great plan there, and I'm certain you'll enjoy any club meetings or small group sub-meetings you may find.

You also may want to do some research at state and fed forestry websites about any embargos or restriction on moving wood from one region to another due to various invasive species. Take those restrictions seriously, they have real ramifications.

If you do find yourself in the Portland area, find your way to Gilmer Wood Co. Surf around their website, incredible stuff. It can be ordered online, but being there is a real experience.
https://www.gilmerwood.com/

If your host towns have local specialty lumber suppliers you may want to look them up, too. From any of them, be prepared for the need to ship wood back home that you may not be able to get on the plane. Unless you find a thrift store suitcase you can carry your treasure back in. I'm sure there will be an extra fee for that suitcase...!

 

[Gabriel Hoff]

Absolutely go to Gilmer Wood. Even if you don't want to buy anything at least look at the beautiful woods they offer! Also, bring some of your work, other club members will want to see it since you are still young and want to get more experience. I joined my club at 16 and was immediately welcomed by even the older members because the loved the "breath of fresh air" I brought! Just ask questions and don't be scared!

 

[Dave Landers]

The chapter info on the AAW site is not always complete - some clubs don't update it. And the search function is not great, so you just have to look at the state (Oregon) and adjacent states then search a map to see where they are (sometimes the chapter location is some locally-known suburb name or a small town near somewhere you know).
So I use the search to find chapter names and general locations, but then google the chapter name and they may have a website with better contact info.

 

[Mark Jundanian]

@Isaac Litster , There is a Woodcraft store in Eugene. Call them, or drop by, and ask about clubs in the area. They will know.

 

[Isaac Litster]

Being in MN, I have nothing to offer. But, I think you have a great plan there, and I'm certain you'll enjoy any club meetings or small group sub-meetings you may find.

You also may want to do some research at state and fed forestry websites about any embargos or restriction on moving wood from one region to another due to various invasive species. Take those restrictions seriously, they have real ramifications.

If you do find yourself in the Portland area, find your way to Gilmer Wood Co. Surf around their website, incredible stuff. It can be ordered online, but being there is a real experience.
https://www.gilmerwood.com/

If your host towns have local specialty lumber suppliers you may want to look them up, too. From any of them, be prepared for the need to ship wood back home that you may not be able to get on the plane. Unless you find a thrift store suitcase you can carry your treasure back in. I'm sure there will be an extra fee for that suitcase...!

Thanks for the information, that was an oversight by me. I think I probably won't bring any wood down there, as what I have is questionable from a pest perspective. Not a big deal, though I have brought wood back from Oregon a couple of times without problems, but better not push it!

 

[Isaac Litster]

@Isaac Litster , There is a Woodcraft store in Eugene. Call them, or drop by, and ask about clubs in the area. They will know.

That is a good idea, I will.

 

[hockenbery]

be in Oregon for a month and will be going between Eugene and Bend/La Pine,

there are 10 chapters within a 2 hour drive from my house that I have done demos for. 9 of them welcome visitors.
The 1 that doesn’t meets in a building restricted to members of the community.
Its pretty much the same across the country; clubs welcome visitors unless they have a restricted meeting place.

I suggest you email some of the beaver state Woodturners - I’m guessing you’d be welcome
Their web site is a couple years out of date but their contact emails probably work.

Beaver State Woodturners

They have a face book group- you need to join to check it out
Reed Gray aka @robo hippy is active on this site may be a member

 

[robo hippy]

Do come to the meeting. One wood you could bring if you have any is the Alaskan yellow cedar. Nice stuff and it is not too soft to turn. We do ask for visitors to stand up and say Hi! We do have a wood auction. Not sure what the demo is this month since I was out of town.

robo hippy

 

[Isaac Litster]

Do come to the meeting. One wood you could bring if you have any is the Alaskan yellow cedar. Nice stuff and it is not too soft to turn. We do ask for visitors to stand up and say Hi! We do have a wood auction. Not sure what the demo is this month since I was out of town.

robo hippy

Sorry, I missed my opportunity to bring wood, I will next summer maybe, I'm not sure what kind of woods people here (Eugene) would want. I have tons of Yellow Cedar, but I'm already in Oregon. Will you be at the meeting on the 27th?

 

[robo hippy]

l will be there. I don't really know what grows up there other than the yellow cedar. I had a guy give me a piece of burl once and I got 3 bowls from it. I could have sold them several times before he stopped to pick them up. That wood may be a bit smelly for a daily use bowl though. I generally turn madrone and myrtle/california bay laurel. Some times some big leaf maple, though that is difficult to get clean cuts on. See you there!

robo hippy