New member to this forum

[swillner]

Good evening

I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself as a new member of this forum. My name is Stephen Willner, I teach woodshop at a middle school in Pleasant Hill, CA. The router is a tool I routinely have my students use for various phases of their projects. I have 6 hand held routers of various manufacturers and sizes, 3 routers tables, 1 overarm pin router (I was given when working summers at a sign shop, when I set up their CNC router) and my latest acquistion - a Compucarver. I have plans to build a CNC router and I would also like to build a Duplicating carver (router).
Anyway look forwarding to participating in this forum and contributing where I can

Regards,

Stephen Willner

[harrysin]

Welcome to router forums Stephen, our resident routing guru, Template Tom O'Donnell, like me from Western Australia is a retired woodwork/tech. drawing/photography teacher and my understanding is that routers are, or are going to be banned in our schools, allegedly for health and safety reasons! I'm sure you will enjoy each others company and contribute a great deal to the forum as Tom has.

[Joe Lyddon]

W e l c o m e !

[Roefa]

Hi Stephen -
Welcome to Router Forums! You have found a great site with some really fine folks who are always willing to help you in any way they can. I hope you'll browse some of the threads to get an idea of the wide scope of things that are covered here. Log in regularly and join in. No doubt with your experience, you'll be able to contribute from time to time, too. It's a fun and informative group. Enjoy!

Roger
(Roefa)

[challagan]

Welcome to the forums Stephen! Looking forward to having you here. We have one or two members that also have the Compucarve machine.

corey

[template tom]

Originally Posted by template tom

Hi Stephen

From an old retired teacher to a new teacher welcome to the forum. I would be interested in what projects you have for your students when using the router. I may be able to assist you in introducing new projects. It was when working in my cabinet makes business (after teaching) I discovered how the router could be used more effectively and with Greater safety, so safe that I returned to teaching for a year teaching at the Assoc for the blind, and yes teaching them how to use the router, and we made all sorts of projects.

I was responsible for producing all the jigs and templates for them to use which was important. Once they realised the benefits of the templates and the jigs they approached their work with greater interest. It was the best class I ever taught woodwork. I must say it was all hand held routing and not in the router table, though I have developed a simple jig that will do the same as the router table only safer. (suitable for a selection of processes) such as trimming, adding edge treatment.

There is no end to what is possible with the router if we only put our minds to it. For example we required to produce a mitre joint for one of our projects and I found it possible to cut them with the router as I was not prepared to let them loose on the drop saw which would have been quicker.

It was my intention that they did 90% of the work and I did the 10% It gave them greater satisfaction at doing the job and not standing around waiting.

You may wish to email me if you do not want to post your questions here and I will try my best to address your comments.

Some of the projects completed by my blind students. (Some were totally blind) most had 10% say in at least one eye.

Mark I am having problems submitting pics

[Mark]

Welcome to the RouterForums.com community!

[Dr.Zook]

Welcome to the forums Stephen. Your years of experience are welcomed here. Enjoy.

[template tom]

I can use all the assistance I can get Send Private Message | View Profile

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Tom

I would really like to see the templates and jigs you have developed for the projects your students have done. There are students at my school who are physically challenged (none are blind though) whom I would like to attract into my program and having such tools would greatly add to safety to allowing them to participate. It would also benefit my non-handicapped students whose motor skills are limited. Anything I can do to improve their chances at success would greatly benefit them. Sketches, drawings, notes or photos would be greatly appreciated. I have developed templates and a few fixtures for locating holes, etc. However, I need something that allows them to use the router with greater chance of succeeding. I would be happy to cover any expenses involved. Thanks for the welcome

Thanks"

Stephen sorry to answer your question here but I was unable to return your PM. I have submitted an "Introduction to the use of the guides" as a Sticky which includes some pics and detailed drawings to construct a simple rectangular picture frame. It was posted as an easy project to get started. All the other details I have produced on a CD-ROM 2 and CD-ROM 3 and I am in the process of trying to convert the material to a DVD showing how it is done. I do believe that it is important to have the details that I have presented on the CD-ROMs as it is difficult to produce all the drawings as a DVD. May I suggest trying the Introduction first and if you like what I have written then come back to me. Meanwhile if you do require any specific assistance now please contact me. Stephen be prepared to change your ideas on how the router can be used as the material will introduce you to new routing techniques. Not everyone is in favour of going along with my method but I can assure you it is a much safer method (certain projects). I have taken time to change the method of construction of a number of projects that I have seen published in magazines and books to introduce safety.
Do keep in touch and again apology to you and also others on the forum for getting this message to you in this way.
Tom

[template tom]

This is a question for Mark
Why were my pics removed from my previous posting?
Tom