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Product Description
Our two day woodturning course is a great introduction to the rewarding craft. It allows you to create beautiful and functional objects from a simple block of wood. Not only is it a fun and enjoyable activity, but learning to turn wood in a professional environment ensures that you have access to the right tools, techniques, and guidance to develop your skills effectively.
Martin and Les, both professional turners, bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to their courses. As accomplished turners, they deeply understand the art of woodturning. Their experience at running woodturning courses as tutors allows them to communicate and share their knowledge with others effectively.
In addition to the technical aspects of woodturning, Martin and Les also share insights into the creative process and design principles. This learning approach ensures you develop your proficiency and gain a deeper appreciation for the art form itself.
Timings
Day 1—After a meet-and-greet in the coffee shop, you’ll learn the basics of spindle turning, including which tools to use and how they are sharpened. You will turn a simple project, such as a bud vase, followed by a basic bowl, looking at the correct use of chucks and finishing techniques.
Day 2 – You will be guided through the turning of a lidded box, which will include end grain hollowing and jam chucking. Also, we’ll discuss the conversion of timber for your own projects.
Timings: 9.00am – 4pm (approx) The dates in Green in the calendar above are the start date of your two-day course.
You do not need any woodturning experience to enjoy this course.
There is a minimum of 3 people required for this woodturning course to run. If the course doesn’t run on the day you have booked, you will be offered an alternative date or a full refund. This is a two day course. Day One is shown on the calendar.
Why not come with friends? Book three or four people on the same course at the same time and each one pays £270.00.
Your Woodturning 2 Day Includes:
- Timber;
- Use of machinery;
- Use of Tools;
- Abrasives and dust mask;
- Refreshments;
- Sandwich Lunch;
- PPE and Insurance;
- Exclusive access to over an hour of refresher videos
How To Book:
- Choose a green date on the calendar
Dates with availability are green. For this two day course, the Green date is the start of the course with the second day, the day after.
- Select the number of people you wish to book.
If there are not enough spaces on the date selected, the site will tell you.
- Indicate the name(s) of the person(s) coming.
It is very helpful for us to know who is coming on the day, especially if the course is a gift.
- Indicate if anyone has any experience of turning.
- Click the Add to Cart button and checkout as usual.
- A non-refundable deposit of £50.00 per person is due at the time of booking unless you are booking within 14 days of the course in which case, the full balance is due. After deposit payment has been made, an invoice for the balance will be sent which will be due no less than 14 days prior to the course. See our Terms and Conditions for full details.
- After payment, we will send you all the information you need to join the course on the date you booked.
- If there are fewer people than the required minimum for your course to run, we will contact you and offer you an alternative date or a full refund.
Refresher Videos
Brand new for 2024 for our students on this course is exclusive access to a series refresher videos hosted by Les Thorne and Martin Saban-Smith – our resident tutors. There is one video for each of the techniques covered in this course. You will be emailed details on how to watch after your lesson. Access is open ended, so you can drop back in to the videos any time you need to. Click HERE for More Details
Tool Information
| > | Whilst there is no requirement to bring your own tools, particularly on our Experience Days, we do recommend you bring your own tools on this course that are appropriate to what you wish to learn on the day. For this two day course, you will be using: Any tool that you do not have of your own, we are able to provide for you. By bringing your own tools, you will have a better learning experience as you are using tools you are familiar with. We can also have a look at them and give any advice on sharpening we feel would be beneficial for you. |
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What others are saying
From: £295.00 inc VAT
Beginners 2 Day Woodturning Course
Two day group courses with Les or Martin are ideal for those who have taken up turning and looking to learn the basics. You do not need any turning experience to enjoy this course. Dates now bookable up to 6 months in advance.
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Wendy Sheppard (verified owner) –
A fantastic two days, full of teaching and advice on tools used, techniques of tool presentation, ways of mounting work on the lathe. Martin was enthusiastic and encouraging and really shared his passion for woodturning. Its a very intensive two days but I came away wanting to do more and practise what I had learnt. Thank you.
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Steve Bavage (verified owner) –
I came into this course not really knowing what to expect and with no idea just how complex and nuanced turning could be, but in just 2 days left with a much better understanding of the basics, and a keen interest in learning more!
I found Martins teaching style to be clear, positive and relaxed, which was a great help for putting everyone at ease. The projects were interesting, the equipment was excellent and even the lunch was top notch!
If you’re considering booking this I’d urge you to go for it. You won’t be disappointed!
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Gina Reimann (verified owner) –
Hi Martin & Les,
Firstly a quick note (a little late) to repeat a big Thank You for the 2 day beginners course I attended last week.
I’d not done any wood turning since school – 55 years ago – and your sessions proved that there was nothing worth remembering from that time!
You provided a whole lot of new and useful information, skills and techniques in a friendly and supportive way. It’s pretty rare to find expert craftsmen who are also patient and good at teaching, so well done and Thank You.
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Peter Monkhouse (verified owner) –
Well taught and gives you the confidence to have a go and learn.
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Chris Janson (verified owner) –
A well paced course with plenty of practical help (very much needed) from a very patient tutor. The size of the group was ideal. Plenty of useful information on tools and sharpening. Lunches were really good. Well done Martin.
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Martin Saban-Smith –
So pleased you enjoyed the course, Chris. We are looking forward to seeing you again.
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Jennie Abbott-Hauxwell (verified owner) –
Excellent! I enjoyed every minute. Demonstrations were clear and concise. Much individual attention given to ensure correct use of tools and methods. Martin is a great instructor and nothing phased him and he has mountains of patience. This course is a must for everyone starting down this path. I was very pleased with the products I created
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Reply K. Godfrey –
The 2-day introduction to woodturning was just as I hoped it would be – fully immersive, practical, productive, educational and with a brilliant tutor, Martin. It has, as I was hoping it would, convinced me I want to continue with the lessons learnt during the course and start woodturning as a hobby. Martin was outstanding with his patience and ability to demonstrate then support those on course trying to emulate his skills. I now need to get myself set up, practice a few more ‘relaxed’ turnings before joining one of Martin’s more advanced courses. Overall – brilliant value for money with an excellent tutor.
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Jonathan Parsons (verified owner) –
Just completed the two day beginners course with Les and I have learnt so much. Most of the group had already started turning but there were 2 complete beginners whose work was much superior to the rest. As with any new hobby or pastime it is important to not get into bad habits and Les was excellent at getting us to turn the best and safest way appropriate to the wood and task in hand. I like to understand why something is done in a certain way and again Les was brilliant at explaining the reasons behind the use of a certain tool and the direction and type of cut needed for spindle and faceplate turning.
Those believing they can learn from you tube videos would be wrong. Les was able to offer instant feedback if we were struggling, doing things wrong or unsafely. The setup is first class with a lathe each and all the tools and material needed. Martin Saban-Smith gave a short demonstration on finishing and even lunch was provided.
I came away with 3 turned items that I was proud of. I made many mistakes but feel confident that I know why I made them and what to do to help avoid them in future. This has to have been one of the best practical courses I have been on and would thoroughly recommend it as essential to anyone thinking about woodturning
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Jonathan Parsons (verified owner) –
Just completed the two day beginners course with Les and I have learnt so much. Most of the group had already started turning but there were 2 complete beginners whose work was much superior to the rest. As with any new hobby or pastime it is important to not get into bad habits and Les was excellent at getting us to turn the best and safest way appropriate to the wood and task in hand. I like to understand why something is done in a certain way and again Les was brilliant at explaining the reasons behind the use of a certain tool and the direction and type of cut needed for spindle and faceplate turning.
Those believing they can learn from you tube videos would be wrong. Les was able to offer instant feedback if we were struggling, doing things wrong or unsafely. The setup is first class with a lathe each and all the tools and material needed. Martin Saban-Smith gave a short demonstration on finishing and even lunch was provided.
I came away with 3 turned items that I was proud of. I made many mistakes but feel confident that I know why I made them and what to do to help avoid them in future. This has to have been one of the best practical courses I have been on and would thoroughly recommend it as essential to anyone thinking about woodturning
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tjbone51 (verified owner) –
Even though I had some experience of Woodturning Les explained everything in the most basic way, one group member who had never done any turning made three good pieces ( bud vase, bowl, and a lidded box) I would highly recommend this course,
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tjbone51 (verified owner) –
Even though I had some experience of Woodturning Les explained everything in the most basic way, one group member who had never done any turning made three good pieces ( bud vase, bowl, and a lidded box) I would highly recommend this course,
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Peter Martin (verified owner) –
A fantastic couple of days, well paced, hands-on and great fun. I had no turning experience at all, but Les patiently guided me and the other three students through the projects showing us each stage, then letting us try and guide as we go. We all made some mistakes, but Les always seemed to be just over your shoulder at the right time to show you where you could improve. Everything was very safe and controlled and we all ended up with lovely things to tkae home! Great general advice on safety, sharpening, chucks etc. Les is a natural tutor, and knows exactly when to step in and help and when to let you get on with it. When you are helped to make a nice, clean cut in the right way it’s extreemly satisfying. Thanks also to Martin who also did a quick session on finishing for us. I can highly recommend this course, probably the best course I’ve ever done in anything. Now I need to buy a lathe!
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Peter Martin (verified owner) –
A fantastic couple of days, well paced, hands-on and great fun. I had no turning experience at all, but Les patiently guided me and the other three students through the projects showing us each stage, then letting us try and guide as we go. We all made some mistakes, but Les always seemed to be just over your shoulder at the right time to show you where you could improve. Everything was very safe and controlled and we all ended up with lovely things to tkae home! Great general advice on safety, sharpening, chucks etc. Les is a natural tutor, and knows exactly when to step in and help and when to let you get on with it. When you are helped to make a nice, clean cut in the right way it’s extreemly satisfying. Thanks also to Martin who also did a quick session on finishing for us. I can highly recommend this course, probably the best course I’ve ever done in anything. Now I need to buy a lathe!
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