Last year's Catskill Gathering was my first, but left me hungering for more. As a new maker (my 14th is on my bench as I write this) I have hopes that the
schedule will include practical tutorials on the art and craft of rod making. I know no other makers in my area where I might go to pick up the
"feel" of rod making by observation and emulation. I remember how valuable Tim Abbott's presentation on ferruling was to me last year. To be
able to feel a ferrule slide on and off a section prepared by Tim was infinitely more instructive to a rod maker's senses than reading about what the
correct tolerances are.
In that spirit I suggest prospective attendees of this year's gathering suggest topics that the organizers might consider. I do not mean to pre-empt their prerogatives, but thought it might be helpful to them to know what attendees would value.
As for me, I would suggest:
* Scarfing. There was an excellent video done at the Southern Rod Maker's Gathering, but unfortunately it skipped the part about gluing the two sections together. (At least my version skipped that.) I would dearly love to watch an expert do a scarf.
* Sharpening. We all have some experience, but it would be instructive to see oilstone versus waterstone versus diamond versus strop with varied jigs and techniques and to answer the question of "When is it sharp?".
* Safety. We work with a lot of noxious and carcinogenic materials. A risk analysis with suggestions for shop health safety would benefit us all.
* Air Filtration/Dust Control: Chris Bogart's solution inspired my set-up, but I suspect many other makers may not be controlling the problem.
* Wrapping Options: I have gone through Thompson's and Cabelas' but have no idea of the relative values of some other wrappers on the market.
* Bevelers/Mills: It would be nice to hear (preferably see) comparisons of the different power beveling/tapering/planing options on the market. Do I want a Hand Mill? A Hand Planer's Friend? Is a Medved beveler enough for me? Etc.
So little time, so much to learn.
Dave
In that spirit I suggest prospective attendees of this year's gathering suggest topics that the organizers might consider. I do not mean to pre-empt their prerogatives, but thought it might be helpful to them to know what attendees would value.
As for me, I would suggest:
* Scarfing. There was an excellent video done at the Southern Rod Maker's Gathering, but unfortunately it skipped the part about gluing the two sections together. (At least my version skipped that.) I would dearly love to watch an expert do a scarf.
* Sharpening. We all have some experience, but it would be instructive to see oilstone versus waterstone versus diamond versus strop with varied jigs and techniques and to answer the question of "When is it sharp?".
* Safety. We work with a lot of noxious and carcinogenic materials. A risk analysis with suggestions for shop health safety would benefit us all.
* Air Filtration/Dust Control: Chris Bogart's solution inspired my set-up, but I suspect many other makers may not be controlling the problem.
* Wrapping Options: I have gone through Thompson's and Cabelas' but have no idea of the relative values of some other wrappers on the market.
* Bevelers/Mills: It would be nice to hear (preferably see) comparisons of the different power beveling/tapering/planing options on the market. Do I want a Hand Mill? A Hand Planer's Friend? Is a Medved beveler enough for me? Etc.
So little time, so much to learn.
Dave
