Mike Cruz
08-08-2011, 1:50 PM
Yup, Same Guys Different Day. My birthday was last Friday (no that wasn't a cheap "Happy Birthday, Mike" ploy) and my wife had asked me what I wanted for my birthday. I'm not easy to buy for. I don't need anything. Things I "want" are usually a bit more than what you can expect a person to spend on you for a present. So, gifts are always a toughie. Well, a day away from the farm is more than I can ever really ask for. So, I asked for a day with some turning buddies. I got the nod. I placed some calls. And it was determined that we (Dan Hintz, Peter Elliott, and I) would meet over at Tony De Masi's on Sunday the 7th. Tony's neighbor has a little pond filled with biters, so our gracious host arranged for us to throw some lines in first thing in the morning.
Before Dan and I took off, I stumbled across a little friend that had seen better days. He had seen his last pile of poop. (I assume he is some sort of beetle that likes poop piles...I have no idea...what beetle doesn't?) Dan's dad is an entomologist. So, I took a few pics of it for Dan to show his dad.
204424204423
Dan and I showed up at Tony's an hour later than we had hoped, 8 am (no fault of Dan's...he was at my house RIGHT on time...I was the delinquent one). Before we took off to go to the pond, Dan spotted a lizard scurrying between a couple of logs. Cute little bugger.
204427
Within 10 minutes our lures were wet. We threw spinner baits, soft baits, rubber minnows, and even a gimmicky top water frog who's legs vibrate...not so much as a bite. After about an hour and 15 minutes, we packed it in. That's why they call it fishin' not catchin'. Still, a great time. Great way to start the day.
We had expected Peter to show up while we were pitchin' the pond, but he was running late, too. So, while we were plugging away in the shop, Peter pulled in. Like kids in a candy store, we always drool and stare at Tony's lathe... a PM 3420B. So, of course, I brought over a bunch of 18-20" blanks. :D
First order of business was for me turn a handle for my Thompson's 5/8" bowl gouge. I've had it for months now, but hadn't had the opportunity to turn it yet. This was the perfect time. The handle is Cocobolo. I brought the wood back from Puerto Vallarta on either my honeymoon, 1st anniversary, or 3rd anniversary. Not sure which trip it was... So, it's been sitting around for almost 15 years waiting to be put to use. I think it turned out nicely.
204426204425
Dan was next on the lathe. He had a nice cherry bland that he wanted to turn into a platter. Started out about 17-18" but because of cracks and things, it ended up just under 16"...which is awfully convenient because his lathe at home has a 16" swing!
204428
More posts with continuing story and pics to follow...
Before Dan and I took off, I stumbled across a little friend that had seen better days. He had seen his last pile of poop. (I assume he is some sort of beetle that likes poop piles...I have no idea...what beetle doesn't?) Dan's dad is an entomologist. So, I took a few pics of it for Dan to show his dad.
204424204423
Dan and I showed up at Tony's an hour later than we had hoped, 8 am (no fault of Dan's...he was at my house RIGHT on time...I was the delinquent one). Before we took off to go to the pond, Dan spotted a lizard scurrying between a couple of logs. Cute little bugger.
204427
Within 10 minutes our lures were wet. We threw spinner baits, soft baits, rubber minnows, and even a gimmicky top water frog who's legs vibrate...not so much as a bite. After about an hour and 15 minutes, we packed it in. That's why they call it fishin' not catchin'. Still, a great time. Great way to start the day.
We had expected Peter to show up while we were pitchin' the pond, but he was running late, too. So, while we were plugging away in the shop, Peter pulled in. Like kids in a candy store, we always drool and stare at Tony's lathe... a PM 3420B. So, of course, I brought over a bunch of 18-20" blanks. :D
First order of business was for me turn a handle for my Thompson's 5/8" bowl gouge. I've had it for months now, but hadn't had the opportunity to turn it yet. This was the perfect time. The handle is Cocobolo. I brought the wood back from Puerto Vallarta on either my honeymoon, 1st anniversary, or 3rd anniversary. Not sure which trip it was... So, it's been sitting around for almost 15 years waiting to be put to use. I think it turned out nicely.
204426204425
Dan was next on the lathe. He had a nice cherry bland that he wanted to turn into a platter. Started out about 17-18" but because of cracks and things, it ended up just under 16"...which is awfully convenient because his lathe at home has a 16" swing!
204428
More posts with continuing story and pics to follow...