CLASSES
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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