Introducing Myself

[John Abt]

I've been lurking around the forum for a couple of weeks and finally thought I'd introduce myself.

My name is John Abt and I'm a rookie woodturner (only since my first class Nov 2005). You don't get much more of a beginner. I took a ten week class with Allen Alexopolis at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts where I have gained the reputation as the master of blowing out bowls (I guess that makes me a funnel maker). I have been doing flat woodworking for about ten years as a hobby, but I'm not what you'd call good.

I got hooked on turning after that first class at Woodcraft and I've since joined AAW and the Chesapeake Woodturners in Annapolis MD. I live in Hanover, MD which is between Baltimore and DC.

I'm interested in just about all aspects of turning, but I'm really fascinated with segmented turning because of the art and engineering that go into it.

So, I hope you all won't mind if I join in and end up asking a bunch of dumb questions. I look forward to talking with you all.

John

[Steve Ash]

Welcome to the Creek John. I'm a flatlander who just got interested in turning as well. Some real gifted and knowledgeable turners hang out here and I'm sure you'll fit right in.....as far as dumb questions go, I got the edge on that one.

[Blake McCully]

John,
Welcome to the vortex;) .

You've come to the right place. You'll find more help here than you'll probably ever want. Great group here.

Again, welcome. We'll be waiting for some pics of your work.

[Keith Burns]

Welcome to the Creek John ! You won't find a better bunch of guys anywhere, always ready to help.

[Stu Ablett in Tokyo Japan]

Welcome John, I'm new at all of this too, and I ask a lot of dumb questions, so we will get along fine :D

Great bunch here, if a tad............... spun...........:rolleyes: ;) :D

Lots to see, lots to learn, again, welcome!!

PS, we like pictures!! :D

[Mark Cothren]

Welcome John! Look forward to gettin' to know ya a little better.

[Bob Noles]

Hi John and weclome to the best side of the creek :)

After 10 weeks of classes, you probably could teach "us" a few things. I just recently got into turning myself and still have so much to learn.

Good to have you aboard and look forward to sharing and learning with you.

[John Miliunas]

Welcom to the Vorte.....errrrrrrrrrrrrr....Creek! Yeah. SawMill Creek is what I meant to say! :D I agree with Bob that, after 10 weeks of formal training, I'd be willing to bet you could be teaching us a few things!!! :) Make sure to officially authenticate your entrance here into the Creek with a few pics of your work!!! :D Enjoy yourself, come often and stay long! :) :cool:

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Welcome to the Creek John! Ten weeks of lessons?..........I haven't been turning 10 weeks and I can unintentionally make funnels with the best of them! Wade right in........the water's fine!

[Andy Hoyt]

Another self proclaimed funnelizer. Cool!

Welcome, John.

[Pete Jordan]

Welcome!

I am also in the rookie class and probably will be for a long time. You have found a great group of people!

Pete

[Glenn Hodges]

Glad to have you with us John. I have been turning for about 6 years and I don't know anything about segmented turning so in a month or so you will be the experienced guy in this dept. compared to me.

[Jim Becker]

Welcome to SMC, John!

Hey, do you have a relative by the name of Harry in the telcomm business?

[John Hart]

Welcome John!!! Glad to have you aboard! As far as dumb questions go...What goes around, comes around....So I'll ask you a few m'self!;)

[Lars Thomas]

Maryland Transplant here. Welcome to the creek. Lars

[Don Baer]

John,
Welcome to the creek and like others have said. We like pictures.

[Ed Breen]

:rolleyes: Hi John,
Welcome to the spinny side of the creek. As another tyro, in fact, I guess we're all tyros in comparison to each other, stay long and spin happy!
Ed:rolleyes:

[Bernie Weishapl]

Welcome John to SMC. Ask away. There are no dumb questions.

[Bruce Shiverdecker]

Welcome John. As to DUMB questions..............................You're not allowed any for at least 6 months. I've used up the sites allotment till then.

Bruce

[Christopher K. Hartley]

Welcome to the Creek John, Lots of room for everyone. Please feel free to join us in the Dirty Turning Event if you'd like. We'd love to have you.

[Lee DeRaud]

Turning since November of last year?
Pffft, sounds like a veteran to me: you've got more weeks of turning classes than I have weeks of turning total.:eek:

[Travis Stinson]

Welcome aboard John. Looking forward to seeing your work.:cool:

[Jim Dunn]

Welcome John. Look forward, as does everybody else, to seeing some of your turnings.

[Jim Ketron]

Welcome John!
Ask away we all started out the same;)

[Gil Jones]

Welcome John

[Corey Hallagan]

Welcome John, I am sure there will be cool stuff soon coming off that lathe!!

Corey

[Mike Ramsey]

Welcome to the Creek John!

[Keith Christopher]

Welcome to the creek, good to see another Marylander here. :)

[Ernie Nyvall]

Welcome to the Creek John. You just happen to be in luck... we have a resident expert in segmented turning... Keith Burns.

Ernie

[Bruce Shiverdecker]

Welcome to the creek AND the VORTEX.

Bruce

[Corey Hallagan]

Welcome to the Creek John!

Corey