Introduction to Turning Pepper Mills Course Overview
Registration now open for Introduction to Turning Pepper Mills Classes (WTMILL-101)
Course Description
Have lots of fun learning basics of pepper mill turning. In this two day Introduction to Turning Peppers program we will introduce you to the exciting world of turning wood spice grinders. With a separate lathe for each participant, the emphasis of this woodturning course will be on safety, fun, and general woodturning technique. Various turning skills will be discussed and practiced with the hands-on course culminating in the creation of a unique take-home project. No prior woodturning experience is required.
Location
Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada.
The City of Owen Sound is located on the southern shores of Georgian Bay (2 1/2 hours north of Toronto). If you are from out of town, please click here for information about places to stay and things to do while your are here.
Cost
$250: Includes hands-on instruction and the use of all required tools, equipment, and accessories, plus all the materials needed for one practice and one take-home project. Payment of course fees is due at time of registration. (See cancellation policy at the bottom of this page).
Course Length
This two day introductory program is approximately 14 hours in length and is usually run over a consecutive two day period. Both weekend and midweek courses are available. The two 7 hour sessions usually run from 9am to 4pm, with a break for lunch. (A light lunch is included.) Note: Special arrangements for additional course dates and times can be made by contacting us at info@mapleseedgallery.ca.
Class Size
Individual attention and hands on instruction are essential components of the program and class size is limited to 2 participants.
Requirements
- No prior woodturning experience necessary
- Insurance waiver required (provided)
- Participants must be at least 18 years of age
- You must agree to observe shop safety rules and guidelines
Course Objective
Upon successful completion of this program, you will:
- understand woodturning safety principals
- be comfortable working with basic woodturning tools
- be comfortable operating a basic wood lathe
- understand basic spice mill design principals
- be able to turn beginner spice mill projects
- have fun woodturning
Course Outline
The program can vary from session to session depending on the needs of the individual participants. In general, the course is structured as follows:
Day One:
- Introduction: Topics such as design, technique, tools and equipment, wood selection, finishing, and tool sharpening are broached to help raise your comfort level and to answer any “burning questions”. These topics will be addressed more thoroughly throughout the course.
- Safety: Short, but important review and discussion of:
- general workshop safety
- safety around woodturning tools, equipment and finishes
- wood toxicity
- Basic Tool Sharpening: One of the keys to achieving a clean cut on any wood surface is using sharp tools. This segment will look at sharpening basics and will include demonstrations using a grinding wheel and sharpening jig.
- Basic Spice Mill Turning: Here you will learn and practice (hands-on) how to use a small wood lathe, drive centres and chucks, as well as various gouges and scrapers. This will include techniques to:
- select, orient and mount a mill blank
- design a simple mill profile
- rough turn a spice mill
- perform basic profile and finishing cuts (beads, coves, taper cuts, etc)
* due to the short time frame of this workshop, some of this preparatory work may be done by the instructor ahead of time
- Practice: During this section of the program, students will have an opportunity for some additional practice and coaching before they start to work on their take-home project.
Day Two:
- Review: Day two starts with a quick review and Q &A of what was covered in Day One.
- Basic Spice Mill Finishing: Here you will learn different techniques for sanding and applying a wood finish both on and off the lathe. (Note: While several kinds of finish will be discussed, only low odour, non-toxic finishes will be used during this workshop.)
- Take-Home Project: During this section of the program, you will create a new pepper mill from start to finish. Your project will feature an ash or maple mill blank (subject to availability) and a high quality ceramic grinding mechanism.
Course Materials
Each participant will be provided with the following tools, equipment and accessories for use during this workshop:
- Wood lathe
- Assorted wood turning tools
- Safety glasses
- Dust mask
- One practice blank
- One project mill blank (ash or maple – subject to availability)
- One ceramic mill mechanism
- Sandpaper
- Wood finish
Notes:
- A light lunch (sandwiches & desserts), and coffee, tea, soft-drinks and water will be provided.
- Wood turning is inherently messy and a lot of wood dust and shavings will be generated. Please dress appropriately. (No open toed shoes please.)
Evaluation
This program is about learning safe practices and having fun with woodturning. There is no formal evaluation process.
About the Facilitator
Born in Montreal Quebec, Irwin has lived most of his life in Southern Ontario and has called Owen Sound home since 2005. He started turning wood in 1995, and has been teaching the craft since 2003. Largely self-taught, Irwin looks to combine both art and function in the pieces he designs. Over the years Irwin has been a member of several local, regional, and international woodturning associations, and currently maintains a professional membership in the American Association of Woodturners. Examples of Irwin’s work can be found in shops, galleries and exhibits across North America, and in private collections worldwide. In addition to his woodturning experience, he is a graduate of the Centennial College Teacher of Adults program, and has previously taught Woodturning 101 for Lee Valley Tools Ltd in Toronto.
What Do Former Students Think ?
Click here to read what some of our former students have said about these workshops & courses.
Registration
Now booking for the following dates:
Full 2012 Schedule
You can register online for any of the following dates (see link below)
or contact us at info@mapleseedgalery.ca to book your custom dates
- January 28 & 29, 2012 (Saturday & Sunday)
- February 18 & 19, 2012 (Saturday & Sunday)
- March 31 & April 1, 2012 (Saturday & Sunday)
- April 7 & 8, 2012 (Saturday & Sunday)
- May 24 & 25, 2012 (Thursday & Friday)
- June 23 & 24, 2012 (Saturday & Sunday)
- July 28 & 29, 2012 (Saturday & Sunday)
- August 18 & 19, 2012 (Saturday & Sunday)
- August 20 & 21, 2012 (Monday & Tuesday)
- September 22 & 23, 2012 (Saturday & Sunday)
- November 3 & 4, 2012 (Saturday & Sunday)
- November 24 & 25, 2012 (Saturday & Sunday)
- December classes by request only
You can register and pay for this program using the link below.
Contact us at info@mapleseedgallery.ca (or 519-270-5531) for more information or to book alternate dates.
Click here (or use button above) to register
Alternatively, you can download a PDF application and return your registration by mail. Please note however, that your registration cannot be confirmed until the completed registration and course fees are received. Click here to download course registration form (161kb PDF)
Cancellation Policy: We hope you won’t need to cancel your registration, but should it be necessary, please note the following:
- Workshop/course fees will be fully refunded if your cancellation is made at least 7 days prior to the start of your workshop/course.
- Workshop/course fees, less a $40 administration fee will be fully refunded if your cancellation is made less than 7 days prior to the start of your workshop/course.
