Classes

I've recently opened a woodturning school at my own studio in Durham, NC. I offer classes and lessons for groups and for individuals. Depending on the topic, classes can last from one day up to a full week. I teach a variety of classes that are geared for people at each skill level. New skills are developed through the completion of projects which each student gets to take home so that they can look back and learn from their successes (or mistakes) and progress from there. Recent projects have included turned boxes, bowls, and spindles. I spend a little time teaching proper tool sharpening techniques during each class, and for those interested in learning more, I do offer a whole class on sharpening at the Woodcraft store every other month.

I will keep a schedule of upcoming classes posted on my calendar. Classes are tailored to fit the student's individual interests and schedule. If you are interested in a topic you don't see offered, be sure to call and set up a class at your convenience. I usually limit my in-studio classes to 3 students for optimum hands on and instructor feedback. Individual sessions are also available. I recommend taking the series of all six classes to get a well rounded basic wood turning education, though you are welcome to take them one at a time. Each class builds on skills learned in previous sessions, but if you have prior wood turning experience, let me know and I can waive the prerequisite requirements.

Unless otherwise noted, the fees are:
All Day Classes $90 and Evening Classes $45

My studio is minutes from the Raleigh Durham International airport and the Research Triangle Park area. If you are coming from afar, there are a variety of accommodations and activities nearby. Durham is located in the Piedmont area of central North Carolina, just three hours' drive from both the beach and the mountains.

Session 1: Bead and Cove Stick
The purpose is to practice tool techniques and to develop turning skills without the worry of damaging a project. In this session, the basic cuts (convex curves, concave curves, and flat or straight cuts) in woodturning are explored. These cuts are generally referred to as beads, coves, and flats and filets. Body positioning and movement of the body and tool through the various cuts will be developed.
Project: the classic teaching aid, the Bead and Cove Stick

Session 2: Projects Using Beads and Coves
Start a simple project such as a weed pot, mallet, candlestick, honey dipper, toy soldier ornament, etc. For students taking all 6 sessions, I like to have the students turn a tool handle, and then using round bar stock, grind a pyramid (point tool) on one end and a skew on the other. I teach how this tool is used in sessions 5 and 6.
Project: weed pot, mallet, candlestick, honey dipper, or toy soldier ornament

Session 3: Facing Cut, Convex Cut and Concave Curves Exercise
This exercise makes use of the 3/8" spindle gouge to practice turning full convex curves and concave curves and to develop the skill for flattening the top or bottom of a turned piece across the end grain. This is a very useful skill to develop and comes in handy in faceplate work and especially when making glue blocks or turning boxes.
Project: a goblet, box, or birdhouse ornament.

Session 4: Hollowing Project
This session will touch on some of the tools and techniques used to hollow vessels.
Project: a hollow globe with an icicle ornament or a small hollow form

Session 5: Faceplate or Side Grain Turning using dry wood
In this session, a 3/8" bowl gouge is used to practice making concave and convex cuts to form the ogees sometimes used in faceplate work. Once again the student is able to practice the cuts used in bowl and platter turning without worrying about damaging a project. I also cover band saw safety while I demonstrate how I cut the platter blank into a circle.
Project: a platter or shallow bowl using dry wood.

Session 6: Turning Green Wood
It is now time for the students to experience the fun and pleasure found when turning green wood. In this session the students learning how to turn bowls by shaping the outside for a bowl using both the push cut and the pull cut. As usual, the class starts with some technique and skill building exercises and then moves on to learning about turning bowls
Project: green wood turned bowl

2010 Schedule of Classes at Leland Studios in Durham, NC

January 23, 9am-5pm
Sessions 1 and 2: Basic Skills and Techniques

February 10, 6pm-9pm
Session 3: End Grain Turning and Exploration of Spindle Gouge Skills and Techniques
prerequisites: Sessions 1 and 2

February 11, 9am to 5pm
Sessions 1 and 2: Basic Skills and Techniques

February 14, 9am-5pm
Session 3: End Grain Turning and Exploration of Spindle Gouge Skills and Techniques
prerequisites: Sessions 1 and 2

February 17, 6pm-9pm
Session 3: End Grain Turning and Exploration of Spindle Gouge Skills and Techniques
prerequisites: Sessions 1 and 2

February 24, 6pm-9pm
Basic Skills Refresher Class: for more experienced turners looking to hone their skills

February 27, 9am-5pm
Session 4: Hollowing Project: a hollow globe ornament with an icicle, a birdhouse ornament, or a small hollow form
prerequisites: Sessions 1, 2, and 3

February 28, 9am-5pm
Session 5: Side Grain Turning: Better Known as Platters and Shallow Bowls
prerequisites: Sessions 1, 2, 3, and 4

March 3, 6pm-9pm
Session 4: Hollowing Project: a hollow globe ornament with an icicle, a birdhouse ornament, or a small hollow form
prerequisites: Sessions 1, 2, and 3

March 4, 6pm-9pm
Session 5: Side Grain Turning: Better Known as Platters and Shallow Bowls
prerequisites: Sessions 1, 2, 3, and 4

March 6, 9am-5pm
Sessions 5 and 6: Platters and Green Bowls
prerequisites: Sessions 1, 2, 3, and 4

April 3 and 4, 9am-5pm
Two Day Class
24" Full Size Three Legged Stool Class
Cost: $260. Class fee includes materials.

Class Curriculum from my Fundamentals of Woodturning Class:

Other Class Handouts:

Miniature Stool.pdf
Three Legged Stool.pdf Goblet.doc
Hollow Globe Ornament.doc
The Lamp.doc
Lidded Boxes.doc
Ring Holder with Finial.doc
Seam Ripper Handles.doc
Sharpening Tips.doc
Tips and Techniques for the Detail Gouge.doc
Turning Mushrooms.doc
Ultimate Lazy Susan.doc

Class Locations

Brasstown, NC

• John C.Campbell Folk School

Chapel Hill, NC

• Chimneystack Craft School

Durham, NC

• my personal studio

Gatlinburg, TN

• Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts

Raleigh, NC

• Woodcraft Store
• Klingspor Woodworking Shop
• NCSU Craft Center