Description
Day 1 – Learn the basics of spindle turning including which tool to use and how they are sharpened. You will turn a simple project such as a bud vase followed by a basic bowl looking at the correct use of chucks and finishing techniques.
Day 2 – You will be guided through the turning of a lidded box including end grain hollowing and jam chucking. Also, we’ll discuss the conversion of timber for your own projects.
Timings: 9.30am – 4pm (approx) The dates in Green in the calendar below are the start date of your two day course.
You do not need any turning experience to enjoy this course.
There is a minimum of 4 people required for this course to run. If the course doesn’t run on the day you have booked, you will be offered an alternative date or a full refund. This is a two day course. Day One is shown on the calendar.
Why not come with friends? Book three or four people on the same course at the same time and each one pays £270.00.
Your Day Includes:
- Timber
- Tuition with either Les or Martin
- Use of machinery
- Use of Tools (If you have your own tools, we recommend you bring them and use them)
- Use of any required consumables or other equipment
- Lunch at the onsite coffee shop (subject to Government Covid-19 regulations), Refreshments
- PPE and Insurance
How To Book:
- Find a month in the calendar and click a date in green (the date shows the first day of the course. The second day of the course is the day after);
- Change the number of people you are booking;
- Click on ‘Add to Cart’ and checkout as usual;
- After payment of your order, we will send you all the information you need in order to join the course on the date you have booked.
- If there are fewer people than the required minimum for your course to run, we will contact you and offer you an alternative date or a full refund.
- Between confirmation, your payment and the booked day, should the Government change their plans, you will be offered a chance to rebook to an alternative date (on a rolling basis until restrictions are lifted), or a full refund, whichever you prefer.
gbcjones (verified owner) –
Really enjoyed this course for many reasons.
Martin, who ran my two day course, was very friendly and welcoming. He explained the plan of action for the two days, and straight away, I think the group felt at ease.
Starting with basic cuts and techniques with the Spindle Gouge, with great instruction on how to present the tool, movement and action to achieve the cuts required. Once we had a good idea, (if not mastered, that’s going to take time and practice) of those cuts, we moved on to making our first project, a bud vase.
As we became more confident about putting into practice, the technique and instruction we had been given, we moved on to using the Bowl Gouge, and prepared the outside of a bowl, from a blank.
There’s so much to learn, remember, and put into practice, with various gouges and other tools used, that inevitably mistakes are made by those of us learning, but Martin was always on hand, to reiterate technique and demonstrate, but always made you do the cut, under his watchful eye. By the end of the two day course, we had turned a ‘Foot massager’ (Spindle practice piece) a Bud Vase, a Bowl and a Lidded Box. I think we were all pleased with the pieces we had made. Martin not only instructed on tool techniques, but explained the structure of the wood, grain direction etc, and how the wood will turn when it’s cut from a different section of the log.
If you are starting out, or want to improve your woodturning technique, then this course is not only fun and informative, it’s a must!
PS. The food in the cafe is lovely 😊
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
paul steed (verified owner) –
The Tutors meet the group to start the day off with introductions and a coffee which was very welcoming and an enjoyable start to the day.
The workshop being very roomy was an excellent environment in which to learn with a lathe and tools set for each of the students. I found everything was very well explained and demonstrated. I found the instructions easy to follow and with continuous monitoring by Martin and Les ensured that my level of learning was ensured. the work I turned ended up with a good finish. I noticed an improvement to my skills from the start to the end of the day. This I think was due to the excellent level of tutoring provided by both Martin and Les.
The lunches provide in the on site café was excellent and gave us a time to chat and get to know my fellow students on the course.
I would recommend this 2 day course for any one wishing to experience woodturning with or without a view to taking it up as a hobby; but I think you will take it up.
My thanks to you both for the very nice experience during my course.
I am looking forward to some of the other course they run.
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Robert Fegredo (verified owner) –
I’d like to begin with a big thank you to Les for an amazing two days of tuition. Les explained and demonstrated each step by step procedure and technique of how to achieve the desired design / finish in spindle turning, bowl and box making. All the above in a relaxed (no pressure) atmosphere & plenty of Les humour! I would recommend any person looking to begin woodturning, to start by booking the themselves on the two day beginner course to set them on their journey to turning skilfully and safely.
My regret is that I tried my hand at turning approximately one month prior to attending the course and found I had to forget what I thought I’d learnt and
start all over again!
Thank you again to Les and The Wood Turning Shop team. Rob
–
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Jonathan Parsons (verified owner) –
Just completed the two day beginners course with Les and I have learnt so much. Most of the group had already started turning but there were 2 complete beginners whose work was much superior to the rest. As with any new hobby or pastime it is important to not get into bad habits and Les was excellent at getting us to turn the best and safest way appropriate to the wood and task in hand. I like to understand why something is done in a certain way and again Les was brilliant at explaining the reasons behind the use of a certain tool and the direction and type of cut needed for spindle and faceplate turning.
Those believing they can learn from you tube videos would be wrong. Les was able to offer instant feedback if we were struggling, doing things wrong or unsafely. The setup is first class with a lathe each and all the tools and material needed. Martin Saban-Smith gave a short demonstration on finishing and even lunch was provided.
I came away with 3 turned items that I was proud of. I made many mistakes but feel confident that I know why I made them and what to do to help avoid them in future. This has to have been one of the best practical courses I have been on and would thoroughly recommend it as essential to anyone thinking about woodturning
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
tjbone51 (verified owner) –
Even though I had some experience of Woodturning Les explained everything in the most basic way, one group member who had never done any turning made three good pieces ( bud vase, bowl, and a lidded box) I would highly recommend this course,
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Peter Martin (verified owner) –
A fantastic couple of days, well paced, hands-on and great fun. I had no turning experience at all, but Les patiently guided me and the other three students through the projects showing us each stage, then letting us try and guide as we go. We all made some mistakes, but Les always seemed to be just over your shoulder at the right time to show you where you could improve. Everything was very safe and controlled and we all ended up with lovely things to tkae home! Great general advice on safety, sharpening, chucks etc. Les is a natural tutor, and knows exactly when to step in and help and when to let you get on with it. When you are helped to make a nice, clean cut in the right way it’s extreemly satisfying. Thanks also to Martin who also did a quick session on finishing for us. I can highly recommend this course, probably the best course I’ve ever done in anything. Now I need to buy a lathe!
Photo has been removed
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch