In the Vancouver area I teach
in my home in Coquitlam, BC (near Vancouver).
Please call or email me to inquire about class schedules. If you
would rather I can come to you. It takes a little planning
to organize an "away" class but if there are several people
wanting to take a class it can be more economical.
Here are the classes I currently offer (click on a title for
details). I also customize classes to suit your preferences. Please contact me
for details or to arrange a class.
Introductory Classes - no
previous experience required:
Introduction to Spindle
Turning
Introduction To Bowl Turning
Intermediate Classes - you
will enjoy these more if you have some turning experience:
Turning End-Grained
Boxes
Managing "Green" Wood
Introduction to Hollow
Form Turning
Turning Wooden Platters
Advanced
Classes - designed for turners who are very comfortable at the lathe:
Duplicate Spindle Turning
Texturing and Colouring
Special Topics in
Woodturning Mentoring
- for one-on-one or small group sessions
Mentoring
- by arrangement
Course Name:
Introduction to Spindle Turning |
Duration:
6-8 hours |
Class Size:
Max 6 persons |
Description:
This one-day hands-on class is an
introduction to the tools and techniques of spindle turning (e.g.,
table legs, candle sticks, etc.) This is an excellent class
for learning or improving your tool control even if you do not
intend to do a lot of spindle turning. Several skills-building projects will
be covered in the morning and then we will make a number of spindle
projects in the afternoon. |
You will Learn:
-
Four basic spindle turning tools;
-
The ABCs of wood turning;
-
How to cut with each tool (“V”s, Beads, Coves,Contours);
-
How to sharpen each tool;
-
Simple yet effective skills-building projects
|
Pre-requisites:
None |
Tools/Materials:
Three 3x3x10" straight-grain blanks per
student; one lathe per student; some tools will be available but
students should bring their own tools if they have them; a grinder
must be provided. |
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Course Name:
Duplicate
Spindle Turning |
Duration:
6-8 hours |
Class Size:
Max 6 persons |
Description:
This one-day hands-on
class will teach you techniques to turn several items that look
identical. We cover
the tools and techniques of duplicate spindle turning by doing at
least one skills-building project. (e.g., table legs, candle sticks,
etc.). Students may bring their own project or one will be
provided. |
You will Learn:
-
Design
considerations;
-
How
to “read” a spindle;
-
Creating
a Story Stick;
-
Using
diameter calipers;
-
Review
of specialized spindle tools;
-
Decorative
techniques (spiraling, fluting and barley twists - time permitting).
|
Pre-requisites:
This
is an intermediate-level class.
You should have taken a Spindle Turning class (e.g., Introduction
to Spindle Turning) or have recent
spindle turning experience before enrolling. |
Tools/Materials required:
Each student will need:
-
proper
safety equipment (dust mask, full face shield)
-
a lathe that can mount 18" between centers;
-
four
3x3x16" straight-grain blanks;
-
a
roughing gouge, skew, spindle gouge, veiner calipers, several OD
calipers (note: some tools will be available but students
are encourages bring their own)
-
a
grinder must be provided.
|
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Course Name:
Introduction to Bowl Turning |
Duration:
6-8 hours |
Class Size:
Max 6 persons |
Class
Size: 8 maximum |
Description:
This one-day hands-on class is an
introduction to the tools and techniques of wooden bowl turning.
In the morning we will concentrate on techniques that cut wood with
control and minimal tear-out. In the afternoon each student
will turn a bowl suitable for serving salad that evening. |
You will Learn:
-
What are the tools for bowl turning and
how to sharpen them;
-
How to mount a rough blank;
-
How to make outside cuts without
tear out;
-
How to prepare a spigot for mounting
in a scroll chuck;
-
How to make inside cuts without tear
out;
-
Sanding and finishing techniques.
|
Pre-requisites:
None
|
Tools/Materials:
3 semi-dry bowl blanks per student
sized to the lathes available; one lathe per student; students
should have their own tools although some will be available. |
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Course Name:
Introduction to Hollow-Form Turning |
Duration:
6-8 hours |
Class Size:
max 6 persons |
Description:
Turning hollow forms requires a unique set of turning
tools and techniques. This hands-on class will take you the various tools used for hollowing and several
innovations to make hollowing easier. You will do a number of
skill-building exercises and create at least one small hollow form. |
You will Learn:
How to select appropriate stock;
Design considerations for hollow
forms;
The various hollowing tools and
how to use them;
Assisting tools. |
Pre-requisites:
Some
recent turning experience - 10 or more turning
projects in the last 2 years. |
Tools/Materials:
Two 4x4x8" end-grain blanks per
student; one lathe per student. Students should bring their own
tools if they have them and the instructor will also provide some. |
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Course Name:
Turning
End-grain Boxes |
Duration:
6 hours |
Class Size:
Max 6 people |
Description:
Turned end-grain wooden boxes
are fun to make and can range from practical storage containers to
highly decorative works of art. This course will lead students
through the steps to create a “pop” lid box. We will also discuss
tool selection and techniques, design considerations and some
on-the-lathe finishing alternatives. |
You will Learn:
Differences between side and end-grain turning;
How to select appropriate stock;
Some useful tools
(square and round nose
scrapers, bedan, thin parting tool, etc.)
Design considerations
Basic sanding techniques
Some quick on-the-lathe finishes
|
Pre-requisites:
Introduction
to Spindle Turning or permission from the instructor.
Permission will be granted to anyone who has done 10 or more turning
projects in the last 2 years. |
Tools/Materials:
Each student will require one
or two straight, tight-grained pieces of timber 3x3x6"; a lathe and
their own tools. Sandpaper and certain specialty tools will be
provided. |
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Course Name:
Managing Green Wood |
Duration:
6-7 hours |
Class Size:
Max 6 persons |
Description:
Trees are constantly being felled
and we are often offered the wood free of charge. However, if the
wood is not treated properly it will often check (crack) until it is
unusable for turning. This class will explore how to prepare,
treat, and store green wood to reduce waste and minimize cracking. |
You will Learn:
How
to mount and rough out green blanks;
The 10% rule;
Use of Center
Savers;
Treating green blanks;
Chucking up dried blanks for
re-turning. |
Pre-requisites:
Students should have
completed at least 10 bowl. |
Materials/Tools:
Two "green" blanks per student
sized to the lathes available- can be trimmed or rough. One lathe
per student. Students should have their own tools but some will be
provided. |
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Course Name:
Special Topics in Wood Turning |
Duration:
TBD |
Class Size:
TBD |
Description:
There are a wide variety of topics
in wood turning that are not covered by my basic curriculum. I will create a custom class when there is sufficient
interest. Sample topics include:
Please contact me for details. |
You will Learn:
TBD
|
Pre-requisites:
TBD
|
Tools/Materials:
TBD |
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Course Name:
Texturing and
Colouring |
Duration:
12-16 hours |
Class Size:
Max 6 persons |
Description:
In
this hands-on class you will explore various methods of decorating turned
objects both on and off the lathe. Techniques include wire
brushing, pyrography (wood burning), painting, hand and power
carving, airbrushing, hammering, bleaching, sand blasting and so
on.
You will turn and decorate several pieces over the two
days.
|
You
will Learn:
-
How
to do a number of texturing and colouring techniques;
-
How
to keep lines crisp and avoid “bleeding”;
-
How
to explore options without actually doing them;
-
The
impact of colour and texture on the visual character of a
piece.
|
Pre-requisites:
This
is an advance-level class. Students should have recent turning experience (20 or more
turning projects in the last year) before enrolling.
|
Tools/Materials:
Materials
will be provided. Tools are available but you are encourages to
bring your own if you have them.
You must wear appropriate eye protection at all times.
|
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Course Name:
Mentoring |
Duration:
N/A |
Class Size:
1 on 1 |
Description:
I am available for one-on-one or small group
mentoring either in my shop or yours. This kind of learning provides
a chance to work on topics that are not necessarily suited to a
classroom environment or to work at your pace. Here are some
examples:
- specific techniques (bowl coring, thread
chasing, production setups, etc)
- projects
- pricing your work
- elements of design
- critiques of your work
For mentoring I charge an hourly fee plus travel
costs. Please contact me for details. |
Pre-requisites:
to be determined |
Tools/Materials:
to be determined |
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