Friendship 2009

[T*O*F]

There are a lot of good gunbuilders at the two national shoots in Friendship, why not put some
work benches and vises in there and give some gunbuilding classes during the two shoots

That's what Gunmaker's Hall is for.  There are guys who already do that on the back porch and under the pavilion, who stay the whole week, will teach anyone who wants to learn, and aren't concerned about making expenses.  Plus, there are usually a couple of guys on the primitive side who build guns there and offer free advice and instruction.  If you and John started coming back, you could teach everyone how to build barn guns.

[cheyenne]

Still hope to make it there some day.

[Don Getz]

TOF....well, yes and no.   I haven't been there for several years, but the last year I was there I didn't see workbenches
behind gunmakers hall where someone could build a gun, or just work on under the eye of an experienced builder, except
for Dick Miller, and he is usually busy working on his own piece.  I was thinking of a more structured probram where guys
could sign up to work under a specific experienced gunbuilder to work on a particular part of gunbuilding.......shaping,
carving, engraving, etc., or putting a kit together, much like they do a Bowling Green.   I think this is what Ron had in mind
when he conceived this building.   I would be happy to help, heck, we could have guys going out of there with a finished
barn gun in one week.............Don

[Randy Hedden]

Don,

For several years there was a member of this board with the name Holzworm who set up behind Gunmaker's Hall with a portable work bench and demonstrated different aspects of gunbuilding.

Randy Hedden

[Don Getz]

Well, we'll see what happens.   We have at least two directors on the forum, plus probably others to peek in from time to
time to see what's going on.   One problem, a lot of the good gunbuilders have huge ego's and require big bucks to share
their knowledge, but, maybe they have to, especially if they are doing it for a living.  I'm not sure if this information can be
shared, but I would be curious to find out what they pay the instructors at Bowling Green for their time and expertise.
I have also noticed this year that the House brothers have broken off from the classes at Bowling Green and formed their
own school.  Gee, I wonder why?            Don

[Mike Brooks]

TOF....well, yes and no.   I haven't been there for several years, but the last year I was there I didn't see workbenches
behind gunmakers hall where someone could build a gun, or just work on under the eye of an experienced builder, except
for Dick Miller, and he is usually busy working on his own piece.  I was thinking of a more structured probram where guys
could sign up to work under a specific experienced gunbuilder to work on a particular part of gunbuilding.......shaping,
carving, engraving, etc., or putting a kit together, much like they do a Bowling Green.   I think this is what Ron had in mind
when he conceived this building.   I would be happy to help, heck, we could have guys going out of there with a finished
barn gun in one week.............Don

I might be interested in participating in something like that. All depends on how it's set up.

[David Price]

Don,

I would be glad to donate a day of my shooting time to teach a class if anyone would be interested in coming to it.

[b bogart]

I would be glad to spend several days watching/participating, and learning!
Bruce

[Don Getz]

Fellows......this just sounded like a good idea.   After all they have that big building just sitting there doing nothing, why
not put to a good use.   Actually, it what Ron Ehlert had in mind in the first place.  I think we will have to sit back and wait
to see if the board of directors might approve such an idea.  If they did, a lot of details would have to be worked out.
Lets just wait to see what might happen.............Don

[T*O*F]

Fellows......this just sounded like a good idea.
Lets just wait to see what might happen

Don,
That's why ideas never get off the ground.  Like I said earlier on this is a volunteer organization.  Unless one individual steps forward and says, "I'll do it" it will never happen.  And that individual will have to be a special person who will give freely of his time and resources to plan it, acquire the necessary equipment, recruit instructors who will give freely of their time, organize the schedule, and so many other details that are required.  Who's got the cojones to take it on?  Probably no one.

I would say what is more likely to happen is the facility will be used like Connor Prairie or Bowling Green to offer paid instruction at various times of the year to students willing to pay to learn.  It always comes down to money........that's why everyone is jumping on the teaching bandwagon.

[40Haines]

I drove up from FL and had a good time.

Like others. it was really nice putting faces to names.

I shot the trail walk 3 times along with the primitive range.

Hanging around the Gun builders hall was like going to school - GREAT !

I also wished for some place to rest my tied feet.

I have been buying wood from Wayne Dunlap for 10 years and finally got to spend some time with him.

I guess another road trip is comming up (Dixons).

See you there.

[Don Getz]

TOF.....I wasn't taking about this being a "free" thing.   There are people out there that would be willing to put money
up front to include the cost of parts, plus a teachers fee, and spend a week at friendship, building a gun.  It should operate just like Bowling Green, Conner Prairie, or any of those other gunbuilding classes.  Maybe the organization should
add more "directors".   I'm not sure how many they have.   I'm only throwing out something that would make that big
steel barn useful, you are the one's that built it.   Don

[Dave K]

I certainly have to agree, that classes would be a huge drawing card for the event. I know that the event is billed as a shoot, but there are many people who go there not to shoot, but to be around ml'er people and shop. A school just may swell the ranks for more ml'er people and make it profitable as well for the NMLRA and those teaching the classes. The vendors would probably also benefit from these builders buying parts for these projects and future or past projects. I think it is a great idea! Yes, I am very aware as to who it is that is going to set this all up as well. The wealth of knowledge that is walking around on the grounds that week is phenomenal, what a great place to share it all. There is also the museum, that holds historical items that could be used for teaching. 

[C Wallingford]

Maybe the organization should
add more "directors".   I'm not sure how many they have.   

Don--
I disagree that the organization needs more Directors. If I am not mistaken, there are about thirty. You can't get that many people to agree on anything and I am sure that each one has their own special interests that that they feel are the most important issue before the Board. Hopefully the new President can corral the most important issues and make some progress in turning this thing around.
Your idea has a lot of merit but adding Directors, in my opinion, would only add to the bureaucracy.

[Blackpowder Barbie]

Hi Guys!  All of your ideas are exactly what that building was envisioned for and with all fingers and toes crossed will become one day!!!  However at the moment the building is not finished and major construction still needs to be completed before we can even occupy it as a meeting room, much less hold classes. 

Our current hold up comes from one major issue: $$$$ -  the building was approved based on the determination that only direct donations would be used to fund it.  No NMLRA general funds, nor funds borrowed from other NMLRA project can be used.  Well, there have been enough donations to put up the shell, but not enough to finish the inside according to the original plans (which included a Great Hall, class rooms, a kitchen, and a few other rooms).  Then while awaiting donations, the building permits expired thus putting the building back into the pool that now require sprinklers and other more high $ changes from the original plans. The BOD is very much aware of costs these days and are now working on alternative plans for the building that will allow us to use it without breaking the bank completely.  It would be financially irresponsible for the the BOD to run the risk of completing the building when it can not pay for itself and would then become a burden on the Association.  So we are now looking into all alternative plans for it that would allow the Association to use it and still cover all it's costs.  One day it will become something great for the Association, but it will take a bit more time and of course more $$ to get there.

In the mean time Gunmaker's Hall is always open for any and all suggestions.  We are still on track for building a traditional forge out back, and I'm sure could round up some benches for holding small classes.  Since there seems to be a promising future for this based off of ya'lls comments I will definitely pursue it!! 

Charlie you are right about no more directors!!! There are 30 volunteer directors now and it is almost impossible to get all business discussed and voted on in one day with that many people.  This is my personal opinion here but a BOD of 8-12 highly qualified (business minded with some previous organization experiences) members would be far more efficient and I believe more successful.  Now that being said our new President - Bob Voegele and our current BOD have been far more productive over the last few months than I've seen since I've been on the board.  I feel that things are going to finally get accomplished and the the organization is already starting to see some improvements. If things keep going the way they have this year I will volunteer again to be a director when my term ends in 2010.