Spring 2025
April 19-20
Fall 2025
November 8-9

This two-day class is perfect for complete beginners to turning or for folks whose skills have gotten rusty and need refreshing. The class is taught on mini lathes, but the techniques explored scale up to much larger lathes and we’ll talk about that transition on the final day.

The core of this class is translating the fluid relationship between your body, legs, and arms into smooth curves on your working surface. You’ll learn how to really dance with the turning tools as you work the transitions between shapes.

In this weekend course, you will explore the basics of turning through the practice of turning spindles. We work from coarse cuts to create the approximate shape, and through fine cuts to refine the shape. Students will make a french rolling pin and candlestick, but the outcome is less important than the practice.

You will explore woodturning theory by looking at the impact of grain direction on how a gouge cuts. You’ll learn how to balance cutting safely and creating a finish that needs minimal sanding. 

The class is taught using traditional gouges, not carbide tools. Using a sharp gouge is key to cutting well and safely. We introduce you to sharpening on the grinder and you will leave the course confident in your ability to hone turning tools.

When you finish this class, you will have an understanding of how the tools are used to remove wood and feel confident about putting a tool onto spinning wood.

Tools  

The school is equipped with all the turning tools you'll need for the class. However, if you want to bring along your own turning tools and work with them, we encourage you to do so.

Required Equipment

• Pencil

• High-collar shirt or turning smock

• Hair tie for long hair

• Face shield (if you have one - the school has plenty)

• Dust mask

Prerequisites 

For beginners. The only prerequisite for this class is enthusiasm. This class is designed for complete novices up through experienced turners who would like to tune up their skills.

Class Information and Registration

Class runs from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Saturday and Sunday in Building 315 (April) and Building 304 (November) at Fort Worden. Map
Please read our What to Expect page for general information about the school.
Please also read our Registration Policy.
Please sign up for the waitlist if the course is full.

Class size: 12
Cost: $385
Materials Charge: $75