Green Wood Bowl Turning Class: 

This class is meant to expose you to woodturning from freshly harvested or salvaged timber.  It is not recommended that this be your first bowl turned and would be best if you have already taken the Beginner's Bowl Turning Class as this will build upon that foundation.

Class entails:

• Complete discussion and/or demonstration on harvesting timber and preparing the blanks
• Consideration of storing of blanks for use at a later date 
• Methods of trimming the blank
• Beginning turning between centers
• Discussion of, and selecting from the various mounting techniques 
• Turning the bowl to final thickness
• Reverse chucking and completing the foot

For all classes we furnish all tools, blanks, and equipment.  In most cases we will use our tools to make sharpening simpler and more consistent, however, we ask that you bring what tools you use so we can discuss sharpening and help to make any adjustments in your sharpening technique.  If you have any personal protection equipment you should bring that as well.  We always break for lunch so you can either bring your own lunch or we can order out if necessary.  Coffee, tea, soda, and water are available as well.  You are welcome to come up to 1/2 hr. earlier than the scheduled start time to get acquainted with the class and get fitted for the lathe and equipment.

Prerequisite:  As stated in the beginning, it is extremely helpful to have had some bowl turning experience to get the most out of this class so we would ask you to talk with us to demonstrate that you have successfully turned some bowls if you have not taken the Beginner's Bowl Turning Class. 

This is not meant to teach the very elementary steps in bowl making, but to provide an environment for growth in your craft skills.  Rather, the purpose of this class is to explore some new and/or additional bowl turning skills that will teach you to work with wood movement as the drying process begins while you are completing the project. Discussion and importance is given to understanding the cutting characteristics that are necessary to complete each shape and proper tool selection to help conquer the pitfalls of poor technique.  As with every class, much emphasis is given in a demonstration of tool sharpening without which none of us can cut well.  We will be using a 40/40 bowl gouge, a bottoming bowl gouge, and a swept back or "Irish Grind" bowl gouge as the primary shaping tools, and finishing cuts with bowl and negative rake scrapers.  We will briefly introduce specialty tools as necessary to create crisp and clean details.  Depending upon the moisture content of your piece, sanding to completion may not be possible but instruction will be given so that you can complete it at a later date.

Class will be from 9:00 a.m.. break for lunch at noon, and then complete our class time by around 3:30 p.m.  Maximum class size is 5 students.

**Blanks for turning may not be walnut as shown in the photos but will be taken from what we have most recently harvested. 

Cost $80.00

Add it to your cart to reserve your spot in the class.  Call Joe at 716-391-2001 or email [email protected] to ask about another date and discuss details.