Anyone going to Conner Prairie in 2010?

[Ezra]

Anyone planning on going to Conner Prairie this year?  If so, what are you looking to take there?  I would love to go again, but am not sure I can swing it.  I would like to take the carving class with Mark Wheland or engraving with John Schippers.  Just got to figure out how to do it now. 


Ez

[Mike Brooks]

I would like to take the carving class with Mark Wheland

So that's why I got bumped out of my teaching spot. $#@* rolls down hill and I guess I was at the bottom. That's OK, change is good. I'll be holding my own classes in a couple years, having  taking my que from Mr. Chambers.

[Ezra]

  Sorry to hear that Mike.  I sure enjoyed taking the building class from you and Jim.


Ez
(Loren)

[Mike Brooks]

Sorry to hear that Mike.

No big deal Loren, that week is muzzleloading deer season in Iowa, probably have to start hunting deer again now....$#@*, I guess I'll have to make a gun to hunt with!
One thing I have come to learn after 14 years of self employment. Working for somebody else is never secure, you're at the whim of your employer for a pay check.

[Jim Chambers]

I was not aware that Mark Wheland was teaching carving at Conner Prairie.  Last I heard that class was going to be taught by Jim Klein.
Mike, I'm still dumbfounded as to why they did not have you helping me with the kit assembly class last year.  I could surely have used your help.  I agree with your assement about working for someone.  I have a sign on the wall to remind me of those bygone days of getting a check from a "boss".  It says:  "If you're not the lead dog the scenery never changes."

[Ezra]

Here is the schedule.

http://www.connerprairie.org/Plan-Your-Visit/Special-Events/21st-Annual-Arts-and-Arms-Making-Workshop.aspx


Ez

[Mike Brooks]

I was not aware that Mark Wheland was teaching carving at Conner Prairie.  Last I heard that class was going to be taught by Jim Klein.
Mike, I'm still dumbfounded as to why they did not have you helping me with the kit assembly class last year.  I could surely have used your help.  I agree with your assement about working for someone.  I have a sign on the wall to remind me of those bygone days of getting a check from a "boss".  It says:  "If you're not the lead dog the scenery never changes."

Ha! Interesting. I was told there weren't enough students last year for me to be on the program. I wonder what was told to J. Klien as to why he isn't teaching this year? I wonder if he has been told? I took a look at the link Ezra posted. No H. House either....talk about cutting your own throat! Did I also notice that H. House isn't teaching at the Western KY. program either? Hershel retire or something?

[Mike Brooks]

"If you're not the lead dog the scenery never changes."

I couldn't agree more. I had a dream job for the entire month of March 2009. We had a 30 day agreement to see how it worked out. I bailed on day 30. I just couldn't handle not calling the shots. Real jobs suck.......

[ptk1126]

I was talking with Jim Klein today and he did not know he wouldn't be teaching
carving at Connor Prairie this year.

Too bad - I enjoyed spending the week with him last October and learned a lot.

all the best
Paul

[marziale00]

I am pretty much a newbie. One rifle and one pistol built. Went to Conner Prairie last year along with one of my sons and took wire inlay with Schippers and Carving with Jim Klein. I greatly enjoyed both classes and learned a great deal, particularly in the carving class. The misc conveyed knowledge was as essential as the classes themselves.

I was looking forward to going back this year. After the release, probably not. I would have liked to taken a class w H House or a class in building from scratch. Their offerings appear to be getting more limited, rather than expanding out.

[Ezra]

It does appear that the hierarchy of Conner Prairie has become less enamored in the area of firearms and associated trades.  Not to mention very poor communication (at best) from CP to the small cadre of highly skilled artisans who performs the classes.


Ez

[jim klein]

Hi Guys , Well I guess its true that I will no longer be a part of the Conner Prairie classes . No one from Conner Prairie has contacted me about this [ just like they did to Mike Brooks last year , no notice / warning  just dumped after all these years of loyalty ] oh well life goes on and I like Mike will be doing my own classes in the very near future . thinking about a basic longrifle engraving class over a weekend . I can have the students engraving in 2 or 3 days . what do you guys think ? I have room for 4 students at a time in my basement workshop . could do 2 weekends a month or something . lots of motels etc. 20 minutes from my home .  thanks for your support and for letting me vent a bit . have to wash the car now using conner prairie tee shirts !! jim klein

[rich pierce]

Jim, where are you located?

[jim klein]

Rich , I'm in southern Michigan . About 20 minutes from Battle Creek  out in the sticks .

[marziale00]

I'd be game for a Klein engraving class

[Ezra]

I'd be game for a Klein engraving class

Me too, carving as well.  Anybody got a transporter to beam me from Washington State to the sticks of Southern Michigan? 


Ez

[David Rase]

[/quote]
Me too, carving as well.  Anybody got a transporter to beam me from Washington State to the sticks of Southern Michigan? 
Ez
[/quote]
No need to go clear to Indiana or Michigan to take a carving class.  No need to wait until October.  Ron Scott is scheduling a flintlock rifle carving workshop from April 26-30 right here in Oregon.

Below is a quote from the 2010 workshop flyer from Ron. 

Over the last three years, there have been several inquiries about a carving class. In answer to these requests a comprehensive workshop is being offered in conjunction with the Oregon Gunmakers Fair.  Two options are possible, a three day workshop that would concentrate work on a Quaker Stock or a five day workshop actually carving a rifle.  I have done the five day classes at my shop in Medford and just recently taught the NMLRA carving seminar in Bowling Green using Quaker Stocks. It may be possible to offer both options. Final decision making will be based on responses from students. As with all my classes, I will be available for consultation after the workshop ends to assist you in finishing your project.

The class will be limited to eight. A hard and fast limit!
Fees would be $450.00 for the five day or $300 for the three day.
A deposit of 50% will be due by March 15

Materials fee of $75.00 for those needing a Quaker Stock.

A workbook with course outline and reference materials is included free of charge.

Outline:

Tools and Material selection
Sharpening and maintaining carving tools
Design and transfers
Relief Grounding
Modeling relief surfaces
Incorporating incised design
Scraping and final surface
Stains and oils

Contact:
 Ron Scott
 4730 West Griffin Cr. Rd.
 Medford, Or. 97501
 541-858-2800  cell 541-941-0395
 email  ronscottflintlocks@gmail.com

[Ezra]

Hey Dave,

Yes, Ron sent me an e-mail this evening.  That looks far more convenient and WAY less expensive.  I will try to go, just need to do the financial gymnastics.

BTW, have you ever inletted a double barrel?

Ez
(Loren Rogers)

[David Rase]

BTW, have you ever inletted a double barrel?

Ez
(Loren Rogers)

Ezra,  I have inlet several double barrel guns.  In fact, I inlet the same set of barrels 3 time in three different pieces of wood for 2 different clients over a 3 or 4 year period.  I only count that as one inlet.  It's a long story.
DMR

[t.caster]

Jim, when you figure out what, when and how much for your engraving classes, let me know. I've been looking for an excuse to visit your shop. I'm just up the road in Pootterville.

[jim klein]

Thanks guys , I'll post a notice on my classes asap . this is all new territory for me to organize but shouldn't  take long to come up with a plan . jim

[Leatherbelly]

 Gosh, I envy you guys with your own businesses. I'm still suckholing to a "Boss" for a paltry 29.10 an hour. "They" own me, dangit! pensioned off in three years, can't wait. Now if I could learn some carving,metalwork, woodwork skills, I'd be laughing!

[Don Getz]

Leatherbelly........."a paltry 29.10 an hour?"    Let me tell you something, don't quit that job and go into any facet of
muzzleloading and expect to make the same.   Mike Brooks would do double back flips if he could make that  kind of money building guns, or any of the other gunbuilders who post on here.  That goes for barrel makers too........Don

[Jim Chambers]

Holly Cow!  I sure need to find one of those suckholing jobs.  I just added up the number of hours I worked last year, divided that by what I was able to pay myself, and it didn't even come up to one third of that pautry $29 per hour.  As Don says, don't even consider starting even a very successful muzzleloading business.

[Leatherbelly]

 In Canada the dollars here buy half of what the yankee buck does in the USA. Food,gas, heating, shelter are astronomical. Taxes are 33% off your gross.(45% if you work overtime). But if I save real hard for a year, I can afford  to buy a mid range priced rifle off the fine gentlemen that frequent this forum. .