• Are you looking for a coupon code to buy my software? You can get one from lots of 3rd party sites but they won't work. My software never goes on sale and has never been discounted. The only coupon codes that are given is when I give a club presentation and I offer a discount to the attendees. Other than that, everyone pays the same price.

New to the group from deep in E. Texas

J

John Astrello

PRO Member
Happy New Year and for me, Happy Retirement!

December 31, 2015 was my last official day of 'Employment/Work', whereby I did the work others wanted me to do; told me to do; and paid me to do. After 48 years 'on the job', I hung up my spurs. For those that might be interested, I've been in the IT business for most of this time, working mostly as a Project Manager/Program Manager on projects big and small.

Several years ago, my wife and I bought our Weekend/Retirement home in Mount Vernon (TX), about 110 miles east of Dallas. House had to have room for us (only 3 bedroom), our dog, a Greenhouse for my wife and a shop for me. Even with those spec's/desires, we also added near/on a lake - as I also love to fish (but that's for another 'board/forum'! We got it all, at a price we can handle.

Over the past year I stretched my working out to the end of 2015, so that I could pay for all of the balance of the new tools/machines/toys that I wanted. The last of them arrived in December, and as soon as my Electrical Service is upgraded (hopefully next week), I can get back to 'making shavings and sawdust'. I will be working on some furniture making (individual pieces) and also moving our 'turning desires' along.

I have a Teknatool Nova 1624-44 Lathe with a decent amount of new/used chisels (good, bad and ugly!). Haven't bought any new expensive ones yet, but on the way. I was able to pick up some decent Sorby tools from a bulk buy. I have also joined the Hunt County Wood-turners Club, and belong to AAW. My wife is getting into turning, and we have her a small Grizzly Mini-lathe (she's turned one piece). We are both very interested in segment turning bowls, vases, platters and the like (if it fits on a lathe . . . .).

Both of us are completely retired (she has been for about 8 years now and myself an entire week - almost!).

We've been watching youtube video's, doing some basic turning, and have been playing with the trial version of Woodturner Pro. Looks to be a great piece of software, that will streamline and assist with our overall work/designs/etc.

Our 'shopl' will be called Whispering Pines Studio (situated on Lake Cypress Springs) in E. Texas. Hoping to be able to have some actual work produced and moving forward as the year progresses. If you are in the area, give us a holler. And if you need to take a turning break and stretch a fishing line for a few hours, I'm your guy. We can talk fishing and turning!

All for now.

John Astrello
 
Welcome to the group, and congrats on retirement. You will find that segmenting gives a satisfaction that can't be beat. Plus, it is always an excuse to visit the nearest wood and tool stores. Have fun, and post pics as they come along.
 
John,
Congratulations on your long-awaited and well-planned retirement. It sounds like you will have no problems transitioning to retirement. I'm amazed at the number of people that get to retirement age and simply quit working without a thought about how to fill their time.

It's also great that your wife has an interest in woodturning and segmenting. There are so many great opportunities for going to conventions, seminars, workshops, etc., and it is so nice that you can go as a couple where both of you get to participate.

As Jeff said, please keep active with the forum with pictures and questions. You'll find a lot of friends here.

Lloyd Johnson
 
John,
Congratulations and get ready for a time in your life when you'll have more to do in a day than you used to have in a week. The Woodturner Pro package will help you with all of your design work and if you get stumped you'll find answer right here. Be sure to watch the videos Lloyd has in the tutorial section. You might also want to check out Jerry Bennett's Segeasy sled and wedgies at http://www.segeasy.com .

Stuart
 
Thanks all. I've been looking at the SegEasy stuff already. Planning now. Spending soon!

Tutorials are next for certain.

Yes Lloyd - we attended SWAT (our club - Hunt County Woodturners - Greenville, TX) is very active regionally and we sponsor a big room at SWAT every year. It was/is a great Symposium. We will attend it again this year (August), and also will attend at least one other 'something' in 2016. Trying to decide now.

John
 
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