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Special Lathe Stand

This is a very long story but I'll keep it short.Back in the fall a very close friend informed me about his father purchacing a Jet lathe and tools. 2 years ago his father was paralized when he fell off scaffolding helping Rick build his house. Rick asked if I could help get his dad started turning. Well, I knew I had some major ergonomic issues to work out and if I didn't get it right he could lose interest quickly. Rick brought him over this past weekend to try it out.I helped him rough turn and sand Canarywood and Ambrosia maple then added some Watco oil to see instant results.Rick said thats all he talks about now! I am currently shortening his tool handles and hopefully he will be turning soon.

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Mark Damron

Registered: November 2006
Location: Plain City, Ohio
Posts: 373

0

Date: Thu January 24, 2008
Views: 3,402
Keywords: special lathe stand

Comments

wheels4

well done Mark its so nice to see that some people will still go out of there way to help those in distress i know that after my back surgery If if would not have been for a friend bringing me an old junk lathe I probably still be on the couch feeling sorry for myself now if I can get him fo send some money for this bottomless pit he opened

#1 Thu January 24, 2008 4:49pm

Bill Bolen

That is an absolutely fantastic story! I wish all the worlds’ population were as nice as you!!! You probably gave him back a piece of his manhood and some enjoyment in life. Thanks for being you!. Bill..

#2 Thu January 24, 2008 4:53pm

roundwood

Mark, I know you gave a lot of your time to fulfilling you friends wish for his dad to be able to turn. I'm sure it will come back to you one day. Wish we could all be more like you.

#3 Thu January 24, 2008 5:53pm

ebudg

E. Bud Gillaspie

That's cool, Mark. Not everyone would have taken either the time or the effort to do as you have done. I'm puttin' a gold star on your chart. Thumbs Up!

E. Bud Gillaspie

#4 Thu January 24, 2008 6:33pm

Mike Baber

Mark, thanks to folks like you, another person gets a second chance at life. I'm sure you will be well remembered for going out of your way to help another... You da man! Thumbs Up!

Wizzy

#5 Thu January 24, 2008 6:40pm

Ron Sardo

Nice Job

Is that a Jet Mini?

#6 Thu January 24, 2008 7:08pm

Mark Damron

Ron, this is the 1220 lathe by jet. Very robust for a small lathe.If I were just starting, this would be the lathe! I fogot to mention, if anyone has worked with the handicapped or has suggestions to add to this I would greatly appreciate it. Also, if anyone needs info and dimensions for this stand just let me know.

#7 Thu January 24, 2008 8:01pm

JimQuarles

Congratulations on a job well done.

#8 Thu January 24, 2008 10:02pm

Bertminator

Very kind of you to consider introducing your friends dad to this wonderful hobby. You are a very good friend, a somewhat rare thing these days. Bless you!

Visit more of my work at http://pweb1.mts.net/~mbgilly/Woodturning%20website/

#9 Fri January 25, 2008 12:51pm

bubbatd

Tom Davis

Wow Mark way to go I just can't think of a better way to tell you but your kindness will be returned two fold. God Bless.

#10 Fri January 25, 2008 1:26pm

Mark Damron

Thanks Guy's! I will keep you all updated.
Charles, I found 2 old machine guard rails to use for the legs. The top bar is 30" tall and space 5" apart.I glued two 2 X 12's together for the base with angle iron brackets and bolted to the rails with one 1/2" machine bolt on each side.The base is set at 45 degrees and needs to be 29" from the floor for clearence then it was welded in place. This allowes the turner to keep his elbows down and in a relaxed position. Turning is mostly body motion so this is the biggest challeng the face. When done he will be able to reach everything he needs without moving his chair. He is going to paint everything when done. I told him a mustard color would look nice!

#11 Sat January 26, 2008 7:05pm

Chuck Beland

Mark,
you get another "ATTA BOY" from me I also would like to shake your hand for this. It just goes to show that turners do come together & help each other excellent job.

Chuck

#12 Sun June 8, 2008 4:55am

Brendan McAreavy

This is almost how I got started turning. Illness left me housebound, well, chairbound, for about three years and it was through the kindness of an engineer friend who brought me a lathe and a set of tools in an attempt to at least get me out of the house and into the shed that I started turning.

He gave me a basic lesson and I was hooked from the first shavings I saw coming off a piece of pine from the scrap box and found myself spending more and more time destroying bits of wood. It was a great distraction from myself and very therapeutic because it's hard to think about coping with pain when you are trying not to get your hands ripped off.

When my condition improved I bought a lathe and passed the kit I was given onto another guy who was going through health difficulties....guess what, yes, he has now bought a lathe and passed the gear onto someone else.

I joined a woodturning class in the local college and discovered that most of the people there were using woodturning and the social aspect to cope with illness and support recovery. Out of all the classes in a year there were two absences and the two people who were not at class were on holiday.

I don't have any signature pieces or examples of excellence to highlight the wonders of Mother Nature but woodturning has supported me through a very difficult period in my life so I think I owe it to the trees to keep butchering them.

#13 Fri September 26, 2008 1:50am