Go down to your local community college. Find out where the voc ed
department is and explain your problem to the director. Suggest that they
might want to hold a 1 unit class once a year for a full semester on
Saturdays at the hangar. Promise them at least 20 students a class and mean
it. You might even suggest that somebody in the chapter who is a skilled
machinist could qualify for a voc ed credential (or min quals, or whatever
your state requires) and teach the class. Salary for a 1 unit class for a
full semester is somewhere around $1500, which will buy a hell of a lot of
beer for the Friday night come-to-Jesus meeting.

A 1 unit class is two hours a week for an 18 week semester and most
community colleges will jump at the chance to get the equivalent of 1 fte
(full time equivalent) student for peanuts. Have the voc ed instructor gin
up some sort of certificate for those who pass the class (or those who get a
B or better, or whatever criteria you want, but I don't want C students
working on MY equipment) and keep a log of those who have passed the
certificate. No class, no use.

In California, a 1 unit class is $24 plus whatever "student" fees (health,
library, etc.) are tacked on no matter HOW many units you take. Certainly
less than $50.

Jim



"Michael Horowitz" wrote in message
...
The local EAA chapter has a lathe, drillpress, milling machine, etc
set up in the back of the chapter house. As far as I can tell, the
lathe hasn't been used in a while. When I asked, someone rightly
replied they were concerned someone might hurt themselves using the
lathe. Having had some training with a lathe, I recognize that danger,
but there should be a way for the Chapter to feel comfortable
allowing use of the lathe. A training program would be ideal

Has anyone else been faced with this situation and how did it get
solved? - MIke