RIKON Donates Tools to Wood Industry Education Programs
Peyton-School.jpg

ANAHEIM, CA –   RIKON Power Tools presented over $16,000 in prizes and gifts to outstanding students and school programs at the 2015 AWFS Fair. “RIKON is always glad to do whatever we can to support the education of our future woodworkers”, says President Jack Bransfield. The new, state-of-the-art woods manufacturing program run by instructor Dean Mattson at Peyton School District (Colorado) received $13,000 in RIKON tools, including a dust collector, nine lathes with accessories, a 14” professional bandsaw and a drill press.
 
Meanwhile, students in the Lincoln East High School (Nebraska) woodworking program built an impressive reproduction 1919 Crescent Bandsaw - completely out of wood - which was on display at the AWFS®Fair RIKON booth. “This bandsaw was the work of seven students over a two year period”, says instructor Jeff McCabe, “it was a culmination of efforts with lots of R&D.” As a reward for their efforts, the program received a RIKON deluxe 14” bandsaw. “It was such an unexpected treat to showcase this project at the AWFS®Fair and receive new equipment for our program,” says McCabe.

  
Peyton School Turning Lab

As a sponsor of the Fresh Wood and Turning to the Future woodworking competitions, top student winners also received RIKON Tools. Zachery Lush, of Fletcher’s Meadow Secondary School in Ontario, won the Fresh Wood Best of Show award for his project “Gravity” and received a RIKON 14” bandsaw. Brittney Hoffmeier of Mustang High School in Oklahoma received first place for her impressive Maloof reproduction rocking chair and a RIKON mini lathe. Carrie Etherington (Brigham Young University) and Michael Anderson (a homeschool student), both won first place, in post-secondary and high school respectively, in the new Turning to the Future wood turning competition and each received RIKON variable speed MIDI lathes.

“We are grateful to have RIKON as a partner and strong support of woodworking education programs and students who are considering careers in our industry”, says AWFS Fair Executive Vice President Angelo Gangone, “their contributions have strengthened these schools and enriched these students’ woodworking experiences.”
 
# # #
 
About Rikon:
RIKON Power Tools is dedicated to designing and Manufacturing Woodworking Machinery of the highest quality that enhances the woodworking experience for all of our end users. To accomplish this, we analyze the woodworkers’ needs and expectations to constantly improve our products. We take great pride in getting to know our customers and listening to their questions and suggestions.
RIKON strives to have excellent quality products at a reasonable price, but also outstanding customer service and satisfaction. Our Technical and Parts Departments are available to service your questions and parts/warranty needs. Our staff’s knowledge of woodworking and product design is important to completely answer your questions accurately and efficiently. Our extensive parts inventory enables us to fulfill your needs quickly, so that you can get back to work – fast.
RIKON values our customers as well as their woodworking experience. We thank you for the opportunity to be your source for your workshop machinery and accessory.
 
About AWFS:
The Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers® (AWFS), founded in 1911, is a non-profit organization that wholly owns and produces the biennial AWFS®Fair. The largest trade association serving the entire home and commercial furnishings industry, AWFS has more than 400 members, including manufacturers and distributors of machinery, hardware, software, tooling, lumber, components, wood products and supplies for the woodworking industry including cabinet, furniture, millwork and custom woodworking products.       
 

Have something to say? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.