Mark Cothren
04-28-2006, 7:42 AM
Name: Jim Ketron
DOB: 10/29/72
Physical description (G-rated, please)
5’-9” tall 230 lbs + and I’m built like a stump.
Location (for how long, previous locations, etc)
Weber City Va. It’s in Scott Co. and I have lived here all my life.
No other place I would rather be!
Family information (brag on your spouse, kids, grandkids, dog, etc)
I have been married to my lovely wife Krista for 5 years we each have 3 children from previous marriages Jarred, Justin, Courtney, Jewell, Lindsey, Kayla, and we have a set of Twin Boy and Girl Babies, Riley and Grace. Yes that’s 8 kids! You don’t know how many times I have to tell people over and over on how many kids we have. So it’s real busy at the Ketron Home! But I manage to get some turning time, not as much as I would like but sometimes you got to do what you got to do.
Vocation (what do you do for a living, and what have you done
previously)
I’m a 2nd Generation Sprinkler Man. I install fire protection systems. That’s all I have ever done.
Equipment Overview (lathe, tools, etc)
I have several woodworking tools - I will just name the bigger items. PM 3520, Vacuum pump, Jet Mini, Grizzly bansaw, Delta 13 1/2” planer, old Sears 6” jointer, 4 routers, 1 router table, Delta floor drill press, Delta mortiser, C-man TS, C-man RAS, and several hand and smaller tools.
How many lathes have (or do) you own? Tell us about 'em.
My primary lathe is the PM 3520. And my first lathe and still use it some is a Jet Mini.
How many turning tools do you have?
I have several turning tools, many I have made myself - here are a few of my homemade ones. My version of the Wolverine jig set up, bowl/hollow form steady, captured hollowing rig, handle from pipe for my P&N gouge.
Vacuum pump, 7 bowl gouges, 4 parting tools, several spindle gouges and standard turning tools, bowl scraper, McNaughton coring rig, Sorby spiraling/texturing tool, 2 Talon chucks, and a bunch of other smaller items.
Tell us about your shop
I built my shop in July of 04, its 24’ X 20’ its basically a turning shop now all the other tools are used for tables or collecting dust!
Website? If so, what's the url?
I and some of my friends decided to go in together and do a group website. I think it’s a great idea and keeps the cost down from having one each for ourselves. Most of us have them ready, check it out and give us some feedback on it!
www.flyingcurls.com (http://www.flyingcurls.com)
How long turning?
I have been turning since 4/30/04 - almost 2 years in a week or so.
What got you into turning?
Looking at all the nice things that were shown on here and then going to the local Woodcraft store during grand opening and seeing some demos. Went home and ordered one that night!
What do you enjoy most about turning?
Putting a wet blank on the lathe and letting the curls just fly as I watch the piece transform itself into a bowl or hollow form and giving that wood a new life for someone to enjoy.
What is your favorite form that you turn?
Mmmmmmm that is a tough one - I like turning bowls and hollow forms. But the pieces I like best is the ones that have natural character in them that only the Big Guy can do.
I would have to say natural edge winged bowls is top on the list for now, and hollow forms with natural character in them a very close 2nd
What is your favorite form someone else turns/has turned?
I have seen some nice work on here and in person from my friends. It would be hard to say which form it would be as I like so many different ones.
What is your favorite wood to work with and why?
My favorite is free wood! Anything curly!
(editor's note: Jim's favorite wood is really.........gumballs) (inside joke)
Have you met or hung out with any turnin' Creekers? Tell us about it
I have attended 2 turning BBQs and have meet several Creekers and live close to a few.
Sparky Paessler Lives about 25 miles from me, Dick Parr, Joe Tonich, Big Mike Stafford, Bill Chapman, Ron Meadows, Kevin Gerstenecker, at Dicks BBQ
Travis Stinson, Mark Cothren, Keith Burns, Dennis Peacock, Rob Bourgeois at Travis BBQ
What is your favorite individual piece that you have turned, and why?
The Hard Maple natural edge winged bowl
(editor's note: see pic of this bowl below)
What is your favorite piece someone else has turned, and why?
That would be Travis Stinsons Blue Buckeye hollow form that he made over a year ago amazing that he kept it together!
What do you not turn now that you want to - or plan to - in the future?
Segmented work, and large platters when I get my outboard stand made.
What brought you to SMC?
Surfing the web and found it.
Got any nicknames? How'd you get it?
I have a few, but most call me Jim
Now let's get a little deep... If you were a tree, what tree would you
be and why?
If I was a tree think I would want to be a fruit tree like an apple tree.
I could provide food for people to eat.
Editor's note: the last pic is one I had in my stash, just savin' it for a special occasion like this....;)
DOB: 10/29/72
Physical description (G-rated, please)
5’-9” tall 230 lbs + and I’m built like a stump.
Location (for how long, previous locations, etc)
Weber City Va. It’s in Scott Co. and I have lived here all my life.
No other place I would rather be!
Family information (brag on your spouse, kids, grandkids, dog, etc)
I have been married to my lovely wife Krista for 5 years we each have 3 children from previous marriages Jarred, Justin, Courtney, Jewell, Lindsey, Kayla, and we have a set of Twin Boy and Girl Babies, Riley and Grace. Yes that’s 8 kids! You don’t know how many times I have to tell people over and over on how many kids we have. So it’s real busy at the Ketron Home! But I manage to get some turning time, not as much as I would like but sometimes you got to do what you got to do.
Vocation (what do you do for a living, and what have you done
previously)
I’m a 2nd Generation Sprinkler Man. I install fire protection systems. That’s all I have ever done.
Equipment Overview (lathe, tools, etc)
I have several woodworking tools - I will just name the bigger items. PM 3520, Vacuum pump, Jet Mini, Grizzly bansaw, Delta 13 1/2” planer, old Sears 6” jointer, 4 routers, 1 router table, Delta floor drill press, Delta mortiser, C-man TS, C-man RAS, and several hand and smaller tools.
How many lathes have (or do) you own? Tell us about 'em.
My primary lathe is the PM 3520. And my first lathe and still use it some is a Jet Mini.
How many turning tools do you have?
I have several turning tools, many I have made myself - here are a few of my homemade ones. My version of the Wolverine jig set up, bowl/hollow form steady, captured hollowing rig, handle from pipe for my P&N gouge.
Vacuum pump, 7 bowl gouges, 4 parting tools, several spindle gouges and standard turning tools, bowl scraper, McNaughton coring rig, Sorby spiraling/texturing tool, 2 Talon chucks, and a bunch of other smaller items.
Tell us about your shop
I built my shop in July of 04, its 24’ X 20’ its basically a turning shop now all the other tools are used for tables or collecting dust!
Website? If so, what's the url?
I and some of my friends decided to go in together and do a group website. I think it’s a great idea and keeps the cost down from having one each for ourselves. Most of us have them ready, check it out and give us some feedback on it!
www.flyingcurls.com (http://www.flyingcurls.com)
How long turning?
I have been turning since 4/30/04 - almost 2 years in a week or so.
What got you into turning?
Looking at all the nice things that were shown on here and then going to the local Woodcraft store during grand opening and seeing some demos. Went home and ordered one that night!
What do you enjoy most about turning?
Putting a wet blank on the lathe and letting the curls just fly as I watch the piece transform itself into a bowl or hollow form and giving that wood a new life for someone to enjoy.
What is your favorite form that you turn?
Mmmmmmm that is a tough one - I like turning bowls and hollow forms. But the pieces I like best is the ones that have natural character in them that only the Big Guy can do.
I would have to say natural edge winged bowls is top on the list for now, and hollow forms with natural character in them a very close 2nd
What is your favorite form someone else turns/has turned?
I have seen some nice work on here and in person from my friends. It would be hard to say which form it would be as I like so many different ones.
What is your favorite wood to work with and why?
My favorite is free wood! Anything curly!
(editor's note: Jim's favorite wood is really.........gumballs) (inside joke)
Have you met or hung out with any turnin' Creekers? Tell us about it
I have attended 2 turning BBQs and have meet several Creekers and live close to a few.
Sparky Paessler Lives about 25 miles from me, Dick Parr, Joe Tonich, Big Mike Stafford, Bill Chapman, Ron Meadows, Kevin Gerstenecker, at Dicks BBQ
Travis Stinson, Mark Cothren, Keith Burns, Dennis Peacock, Rob Bourgeois at Travis BBQ
What is your favorite individual piece that you have turned, and why?
The Hard Maple natural edge winged bowl
(editor's note: see pic of this bowl below)
What is your favorite piece someone else has turned, and why?
That would be Travis Stinsons Blue Buckeye hollow form that he made over a year ago amazing that he kept it together!
What do you not turn now that you want to - or plan to - in the future?
Segmented work, and large platters when I get my outboard stand made.
What brought you to SMC?
Surfing the web and found it.
Got any nicknames? How'd you get it?
I have a few, but most call me Jim
Now let's get a little deep... If you were a tree, what tree would you
be and why?
If I was a tree think I would want to be a fruit tree like an apple tree.
I could provide food for people to eat.
Editor's note: the last pic is one I had in my stash, just savin' it for a special occasion like this....;)