For the last 3 years, on my annual pilgrimage to the land where I was born, Argentina, I have been teaching woodturning. Last year, one of my friends, started a turning school. he rented an old house, lots of rooms, bbq area, pool and more. he now has 4 old English refurbished lathes, with variable speed. One of our own turning legends, Dale Larsen was planning on going and doing a tour of Argentina and teach at a minimum of 5 locations. He decided not to go, and as a thank you, I'm sorry guys, he donated a brand new Vicmarc VM120 for the school. Doug Thompson donated about 20 gouges. Sadly, the person that was going down in March to take these tools, hasn't been able to travel into the country due to the Covid. I'm hoping that he will be going soon. Argentina is stuck in the twilight zone, they are 50 or more years behind us when it comes to tools, lathes, and anything related to turning. A friend ordered a Vicmarc VL300 a few years ago. He had to pay 100% duty import taxes on the machine!! Plus, a few bribes to the right crooked customs agents. I'm working on sending tools down there, a friend has an import-export business. A box up to 40 pounds costs $220. I'm trying to find the grinders for the pepper mills, the parts to make pens, and maybe a few bottle stoppers. Thing is,I would like to find them at wholesale. All the proceeds from the sales, just the parts or say a pepper grinder at a craft fair, will go back towards the school. More lathes are needed, more tools, facemasks, you name it, they needed. In a few weeks' classes are starting, 28 people have signed up for them! Doug Thompson has agreed to make Matias Castro a dealer for Thompson tools, without an upfront payment. What a generous offer by Doug. Well, I'm on the hook, Doug trusts me. There is a tremendous need for good tools. Someone was selling Doug's tools, but they do not have the contacts to make things happen with consistency. If anybody knows where I can get pepper and pen parts wholesale, please let me know. If you have some laying around and want to donate it for a good cause, send me a message. If anybody is planning on traveling down to Argentina and want to turn or give a demo, I can arrange it, I know turners in all 25 provinces. Every year I bring back some beautiful woods, Palo Santo, Quebracho, Algarrobo, Anchico, and more, you will be gifted some of this, and you will be treated to some of most amazing "Asado" BBQ you have ever eaten, not to mention some of the best wines in the world
Sorry for the long post, in fact, I could go on forever. Aloha
Sorry for the long post, in fact, I could go on forever. Aloha