Valley Woodturners adopt Silver Stage High School

The Carson Valley Woodturners, as part of our outreach program, adopted the advanced woodshop class at Silver Stage High School located in Silver Springs

Working with the Principal Patrick Peters and shop teacher Dick Mesna, the Carson Valley Woodturners have provide several workshops with the students introducing them to the wood lathe and its workings.

Every student in the class participated in the workshops even though some of the students had never worked on a lathe before.

We were able to show them the basic skills for turning objects that could later be given as gifts. Every student left the workshops with a completed item.

During our visits to the shop we determined that the students had a need for additional equipment to be able to take full advantage the lathe and its abilities. There was a need for a sharpening system to keep the gouges sharp.

The Carson Valley Woodturners in conjunction with The Woodworking Source in Reno provided a gouge sharpening system. The system was installed on an existing grinder at the school by club members John Compston and Dave Mills.

We also determined that with the level of interest developed through the workshops there was a need for an additional lathe.

Club member Rich Sheldrew had a spare lathe and a set of turning tools which he donated to the school. Several other club members came forward with items that were also donated to the school.

John Compston donated three gouges, Ron Burdg donated a grinding wheel dresser, and Bill Elerick donated a miter saw and several boxes of woodworking plans and publication.

On Dec. 10, club members John Compston, Dave Mills, Ralph Benson (also owner of The Woodworking Source) and his employee Peter DeBay presented this equipment to the shop class.

During the presentation Peter DeBay provide training on the use of the sharpening system along with handouts for the students' future reference.

The club and school are already planning for future workshops with the students. After the holidays workshops will be held with the students where they will be turning writing pens that can be given as gifts or sold to other students, faculty, family or friends.

We are also looking at possible workshops in the spring to introduce the students to bowl turning.

We would like to thank the Silver Stage High School for allowing us to come into their school and work with the students in introducing them to another aspect of wood working. We would also like to thank the students for their enthusiasm and excellent manners. It was a great pleasure working with these students and we look forward to future workshops.