Wood Turning Projects Course Overview
Registration now open for Wood Turning Projects Classes (WTPROJ-102)
Course Description
Selecting from a list of several potential projects, participants will have fun choosing and creating up to four unique take-home projects of their own in this five week (one evening per week) Wood Turning Projects Workshop.
With a separate lathe for each participant, the emphasis of this project based workshop will be on safety, fun, and the correct way to use woodturning tools and equipment. Various turning techniques will be demonstrated, discussed and practiced with each evening culminating in the creation of a fun woodturning project*.
Some prior woodturning experience is required.**
*Note: The first night is a learn and practice session. Subsequent four sessions will include a take-home project
**Note: Students should be able to turn basic beads and coves prior to taking this workshop
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 use of all required tools, equipment, and accessories, plus all the materials needed to create up to four take-home projects. Additional project kits and supplies are available for purchase during the workshop. Payment of course fees is due at time of registration. (See cancellation policy at the bottom of this page).
Upon completion of the Wood Turning Projects course, students can arrange for and purchase additional 3 1/2 hour evening sessions to make additional project kits. The cost per additional session is $55 (or 3 sessions for $150) and includes hands-on instruction and the use of all required tools, equipment, and accessories, plus all the materials needed to create one take-home projects.
Course Length
This 14 hour workshop is spread over five weeks, and is usually run one evening per week (6pm to 9:30pm). Special arrangements can also be made for alternate dates and times 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 maximum.
Requirements
- Due to the slightly higher complexity of some project kits, some prior woodturning turning experience is required. (e.g, Participants should be able to turn basic beads and coves prior to taking this workshop)
- Insurance waiver required (provided)
- You must agree to observe shop safety rules and guidelines
Course Objective
This five evening program focuses specifically on the approach required to turn small projects on a wood lathe. Due to the slightly higher complexity of some project kits, some prior woodturning turning experience is required. Participants do not need advanced turning skills, but should be familiar and comfortable using basic spindle turning tools. Those interested in a more in-depth program covering a wider range of general turning techniques (e.g., spindles, bowls, etc), may want to consider our Introduction to Bowl Turning or Introduction to Turning Pepper Mills programs.
Upon successful completion of this program, you will:
- be comfortable working with the components and accessories required for kit based woodturning projects
- understand basic woodturning safety principals as well as those specifically related to small lathe projects
- understand some of the design principals that lead to high quality small lathe projects
- understand and use basic wood turning tools and equipment required to turn small lathe projects
- have fun turning small lathe projects
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:
Evening One – Woodturning Basics:
- 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 reminder of:
- general workshop safety
- safety around woodturning tools, equipment and finishes
- wood toxicity
- Basic Project Turning: Here you will review (discuss, demonstrate & practice) how to:
- select the right piece of wood
- prepare the wood for turning *
- drill the various size holes required to accommodate project components*
- mount and hold the project on the lathe
- rough down the wood blank to precise dimensions
- create a suitable design for your project that takes aesthetics, natural features of the wood, and your individual skill level into consideration
- make precise shaping and finishing cuts using various turning tools
- effectively sand and finish your project on the lathe
- assemble components into a finished project
* due to the short time frame of this workshop, some of this preparatory work may be done by the instructor ahead of time
- Selecting Your Projects: You will have an opportunity to select up to four project kits* to work on during the program. Here is an example of some of the kits that may be available* during your sessions:
(click on links below to see sample image*)
- Wine Bottle Stopper
- Swivel Key Chain
- Whistle Key Chain
- Secret Compartment Key Chain
- Cocktail Fork Set (4)
- Christmas Tree Ornament
- Brass Dinner Bell
- Letter Opener
- Designer Pen
- Salt & Pepper Shaker
- Spinning Top
- Fridge Magnets
- Mini-Kaleidoscope
- Magnifying Glass
- Candle Holder
- Seam Ripper
* Note: Project kits subject to change / subject to availability
** Note: Additional project kits can be purchased to take and complete at home, and/or to work on in these sessions as time permits.
Evening Two - Project Night:
- Complete first project from selection made above.
Evening Three - Project Night:
- Complete second project from selection made above.
Evening Four - Project Night:
- Complete third project from selection made above.
Evening Five - Project Night:
- Complete fourth project from selection made above.
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
- Four project kit (e.g., wood and parts/components to make high quality lathe project)
- Sandpaper
- Non-toxic wood finish
Notes:
- 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 2012 dates
- contact us at info@mapleseedgallery.ca (or 519-270-5531) to arrange dates for your Wood Turning Projects course
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.
