Name: Travis Stinson
DOB: 5-1-63
Physical description (G-rated, please): 6' 1", 220
Location (for how long, previous locations, etc)
Brookhaven, Ms, 4 years
Baton Rouge, La, 10 years
Grew up in the small community of Mt. Hermon, Louisiana.
Family information (brag on your spouse, kids, grandkids, dog, etc)
Married to my wife Susan 7 years. 15 yr. old step-Daughter Kristen is making me pay for the things I did as a teenager. 5 yr. old Son Ryan and his dog Petey.
Vocation (what do you do for a living, and what have you done previously)
Relay/ Protection and Control Technician for electric utility company.
Any other hobbies?
I spent 3 years every weekend, obsessed with something I had wanted to do ever since I was a kid........racing motocross. I had the time of my life, spent a bunch of money and broke a few bones. Had to give it up, got harder to get out of bed to go to work on Monday mornings.........So, I replaced that addiction with another, turning!
Equipment Overview (lathe, tools, etc)
The usual assortment of woodworking tools-TS, joiner, planer, bandsaw, drill press, etc., all of which now either support my lathe work or sit unused.
How many lathes have (or do) you own? Tell us about 'em.
I have 2 right now, Jet 1236 and my mustard baby PM3520. I'm getting the itch for a mini to demo with.
How many turning tools do you have?
Probably 30 or so, but I do at least 80% of my turning with a 1/2" Elsworth grind bowl gouge.
Tell us about your shop
My shop was the main selling point for me when we bought this house. It's 20' x 40', with a 10' section walled off. I need to rearrange the layout, but I hate the thought of redoing the 6" piping for my DC if I would push everything against the walls for the lathe to be in the center.
How long turning?
Just a tad over 2 years.
What got you into turning?
I made a plant stand for Susan and needed some spindles..... good excuse for a new tool, right?
What do you enjoy most about turning?
The thing I enjoy most, is seeing the beauty that Nature created unveiled before my eyes.
What was your first completed turned project?
A miniature baseball bat, of course!
What is your favorite form that you turn?
I'm really into tuning hollow forms right now, so I guess those or something that utilizes natural edges.
What is your favorite form someone else turns/has turned?
I really enjoy Keith Burns' segmented turnings.
What is your favorite wood to work with and why?
Ma....Walnut! I love the richness of the grain and coloring. I even love the smell!
Do you have a website? What's the URL?
http://myweb.cableone.net/tstin27/
Have you met or hung out with any turnin' Creekers? Tell us about it.
Not yet, but that's about to change!
What is your favorite individual piece that you have turned, and why?
Hmmm, I guess I would have to go with this Maple burl hollow form. Everything seemed to have clicked with it.
What is your favorite piece someone else has turned, and why?
That's tough to nail down to any one favorite. I really love Sparky Paessler's SW hollow forms, look forward to seeing them.
What do you not turn now that you want to - or plan to - in the future?
IF I can muster the patience, I'd like to try some segmented turning.
What brought you to SMC?
I've bounced around a few different sites and am not sure when I heard of it. I'm glad to call it home, lots of friendly folks here.
Got any nicknames? How'd you get it?
Nope, none.
(Editor's note: Ohhhhhhhhh, the temptation...)
Now let's get a little deep... If you were a tree, what tree would you be and why?
A very mundane Pin Oak........I'd be safe from the roving bands of chainsaw-weilding turners around here.
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Originally Posted by Stu Ablett in Tokyo Japan
