About

Get started on your woodturning adventure with this three-session beginner's class, where you’ll complete small spindle projects as you learn safety, tool control and how to create the basic shapes involved in spindle and bowl turning.

By successfully completing this class and our free, one-hour Orientation to the Woodshop class, you will be cleared to use the wood lathes for spindle turning during Open Studio. You will also be eligible to take a bowl-turning class, although it is strongly suggested that you spend time turning in Open Studio a few times before you enroll in that class. (Note that you still must take Tool Safety Classes before using other power tools in the Studio.)

• In Session 1, you will turn basic spindle shapes as you learn about woodturning safety, gouge technique and how to use the tools with good body mechanics — all important to building a foundation to launch your turning skills. Tools you will use: spindle roughing gouge, spindle gouge.
• In Session 2, you will refine your use of the spindle roughing gouge and spindle gouge, learn how to use a parting tool, and design and turn a spindle project between centers. You may need to sand and finish your project outside of class.
• In Session 3, you will increase the precision of your turning technique by making a small project such as a honey dipper, finial, spinning top or goblet, with your own design elements. You will be turning using a scroll chuck, and further refine your gouge skills by turning a thinner design with smaller elements. Time permitting, a texturing tool may be used on appropriate projects.

Details:

• Open to beginners. Ages 14+ are welcome.
• Tuition assistance is available. Click here to apply.
• BARN is practicing safety measures for the health and well-being of all participants, in accordance with state and CDC guidelines. Everyone is required to wear masks, wash or sanitize hands frequently, maintain a distance of 6 feet between individuals, and stay home if they are sick. Overall BARN safety policies are here. Studio-specific safety policies are here.
• Wear closed-toe shoes, avoid loose-fitting clothing and dangling jewelry, and tie back long hair. Bring your own safety glasses if possible.

Instructor: Bruce Claiborne. He has been actively turning wood since 2007 and has taken lathe workshops from Kirk DeHerr, John Jordan, Richard Raffan, and others since that time.  He has been teaching at BARN since 2015.