Description
Your Day Includes:
- Timber
- Use of Tools (If you have your own tools, we recommend you bring them to use)
- Use of any required consumables or other equipment
- Lunch at the onsite coffee shop
- Refreshments
- PPE and Insurance
How To Book:
- Choose your Tutor, Les Thorne or Martin Saban-Smith
- Click on a Green date in the calendar
- Add friends if you want to bring someone with you. Up three friends can be added at a cost of £40.00 per person.
- Indicate your experience level and what you would like to achieve in the box provided;
- If someone has recommended you, please let us know here.
- Click on ‘Check Availability’;
- On the Checkout page, complete your details, then click on ‘Proceed to Checkout’, then;
- Click on ‘Request Confirmation’.
- We’ll then check your requested date is available and send you a confirmation of the date and link to pay, or contact you with an alternative date.
Anita Neal (verified owner) –
We attended a one day course and we would like to thank Martin for his patiences, we had a fab day, it was extremely informative and extremely professional and we learnt a great deal. Would highly recommend and we are considering going again.
Steve, Anita, Rick and Jane
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cmal (verified owner) –
I spent a full day with Martin in a 1-1 focussed on bowl turning. I have previously turned items for our Club competitions, and sold items at Craft Fairs but, wow, Martin was able to show me so much to improve my skills – how to hold the tools correctly, where to put my feet, the finer points of tool presentation and aspects of design. Martin’s teaching style is supportive and informative. Nothing was rushed. Lots of explanations and every opportunity to repeat things until they were right. We also experimented with colouring using products from the Hampshire Sheen range. Very effective. Everything for the course was provided – personal tuition, timber, tools, abrasives and finishes, plus an excellent lunch. I’ve seen Martin’s live demos (in person and online) but with the tuition, U-Tube channel, shop, and the Hampshire Sheen range of colours, oils and waxes, Martin should be rightfully proud of what he has achieved in the world of woodturning. I highly recommend this course.
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John Dove (verified owner) –
I had a great day with Les. He was very patient with me. We went through proper tool presentation, sharpening, and handling. I’ve had a couple of nasty catches in the past which had knocked my confidence a bit. Les was able to show me where I’d been going wrong so reducing the chances of catches. We did a lot of practice spindle turning and then went onto turning an ash bowl. The time flew past and before I knew it it was time to go home. I will defiantly be coming back for more tuition in the future. The lunch and facilities were 1st class. I can’t recommend enough.
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tjbone51 (verified owner) –
This was the most enjoyable day, having been on a 2 day course in 2021, I had the chance of doing a 1-1 with Les (March 2022) it was certainly worth the extra cost. We refined bevel rubbing techniques whilst also changing the angle on one or two gouges which made so much difference before attempting the texturing and colouring
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tjbone51 (verified owner) –
Textured colour
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Karen Bartleman (verified owner) –
I am a hobby turner and wanted some ideas around colouring, texturing and inlays, so booked a day with Martin.
It was a fantastic day, he was patient, and demonstrated and explained things well. Helped me with better tool presentation, giving ideas around shapes of bowls and simplifying some of the processes I have been going through.
I would highly recommend tuition with Martin, and am looking forward to putting into practice all that I learnt on the day.
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gonzothegun (verified owner) –
Me and my friend Duncan have recently been on a two day woodturning course with Martin as we are relatively new wood turners we wanted a course on tool presentation and tool control also finishing and colouring and this course certainly provided this and much more beyond our expectations.
On our first day we were greeted with a very warm welcome from Martin, as we were a little nervous he made us feel very at ease and comfortable throughout both days.
His teaching method was very calming and precise, nothing was rushed, he explained in detail and was always very happy to repeat anything numerous times until he felt that both of us were proficient at what he was teaching us, he showed immense patience at all times.
Our second day we had to put into practice what he had taught us from the first day with Martin watching over us at all times to ensure he was happy with our progress.
Duncan and I would like to thank Martin for an exceptional two day course we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and feel that he has made us far better turners than we were, I would highly recommend this course to anyone who feel they need help on their woodturning journey.
Kindest regards
Paul Smith (alias woodworm Paul)
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James Laurenson (verified owner) –
The day I spent with Martin flew past. It was quite clear you can only learn so much by yourself and he definitely opened my eyes more. With you tube being a great source of information and you can teach yourself a lot but unfortunately you can get into bad habits without realizing what you are doing. Right from the off he knew exactly what I was doing wrong and he showed me new and improved techniques to take away and practice on. I enjoyed the day I spent with him and look forward to putting all the things I learnt into practice.
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rogerbhardwick (verified owner) –
A great day. Les is a very good tutor. I learnt so much of the finer points of woodturning that you don’t get on watching Youtube clips. Knowing how to differentiate between carbon and HSS steel, sharpening angles for different situations, even how to hold the tools correctly makes all the difference. The finish I got straight from the gouge was far better than anything I ever done.
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David Hartley (verified owner) –
Self taught I was not confident using gouges or skew chisels and decided to seek expert help.
Les Thorne’s 1 Day Course was well structured, easy to understand, and remember and has given me confidence to turn without mistakes and to attempt more ambitious work.
I can recommend his tuition and should have sought his help earlier.
If I had been inspired and taught this way as a teenager the direction of my life may have been different.
Thankyou Les for a very special day.
David Hartley
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E J (BILL) FULLAGAR (verified owner) –
I WANTED TO COVER TURNING BASICS AND LES DID A GREAT JOB IN TAKING ME THROUGH THESE, ALWAYS IN AN ENTHUSIASTIC AND ENCOURAGING WAY. WOULD RECOMMEND THIS COURSE TO ANYONE WITH SIMILAR NEEDS. MAYBE ONE OR TWO SHEETS OF NOTES COVERING SOME OF THE KEY ISSUES WOULD BE A FURTHER BENEFIT.(ONE COVERS A LOT OF ISSUES AND IT IS SO EASY TO FORGET !)
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clivegouger (verified owner) –
Before starting Martin explained the workings of the lathe and safety procedures that I was going to be working with. I managed to turn a Sycamore Bud Vase and an Ash Bowl. I found certain turning movements hard to grasp as I had got into bad habits and probably lacked confidence. Martin showed me time after time how to make the cut and the positioning of my body. Plus he also taught me how to finish the turned items with wax and oil. I learnt so much from Martin it is a very intensive and full of information but a very enjoyable day. In my opinion I would certainly say the 1-1 tuition was good value for money plus lunch is included. Thank you Martin
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Kevin Lovett (verified owner) –
I had the pleasure of spending the day with Mr Thorne. Straight off the bat I was put at ease, no pressure.
Everything I wanted to learn and more was given by Les in an easy & informative manner.
From centering a blank to roughing, shaping. The positioning of my body and tools in relation to the work. I always assumed arm and hand movements, now I know better!
Unfortunately Mr Smith was unavailable on the day, maybe next time, which there will definitely be!
Whether it’s just one problem area or several, Les was more than able to show and correct my bad points and praise my ability in others.
I would highly recommend a 1-1 session for anyone who wishes to improve, whether you’re a green novice or seasoned turner!
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Martin Kavanagh (verified owner) –
I had my tuition with Martin, he was very informative and very friendly in his manner. The day was tailored around my current level of experience and I got lots of helpful and practical tips to improve my technique. I would recommend this course and will be booking again in the near future.
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Philip Wray (verified owner) –
We spent a great day with Les (with additions from Martin) to learn the basics of woodturning. He was ever watchful to prevent us making errors with clear, concise information given from the outset. We were able to turn two bowls from the high quality ash blanks provided. A thoroughly enjoyable day with lunch provided. As our confidence improves, we shall be pleased to return to take one of their other courses. We also had a brief view of the production of Hampshire Sheen materials, which have been great in finishing the bowls. Thank you both.
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