INTRODUCTION

Learn to sharpen tools and turn bowl and spindles, or improve your turning skills. Since 1976 I have helped over 2200 students to do this.

THE GOALS

1. Learn to sharpen gouges, skews, and scrapers. Practice  with each type of tool.
2. Watch me demonstrate a tool. Then you will use it,  practicing to develop skill and understanding.
3. Repeat for each of the tools.
4. During this practice, you will turn spindles and/or bowls, including practice turning green and dry wood.
5. Your confidence in your turning skills and in the safety of turning is the final goal

IT'S AMAZING

If you had apprenticed to a turner 70 years ago, you would work with the master for 5 years, observing, imitating, and turning out increasingly competent work. After 5 years you would have done everything you would ever likely need to do. Then you would set yourself up to continue in your own woodturning shop.

Since you don't have five years, you and I do the basics in two days, and then you spend the next five years practicing what you have learned, making those objects you have seen others make.

At the end of a workshop, some thank me for my patience. But it is I who thank them for their patience and persever-ence. I just show you what to do. It is you that tries a tool and hears me suggest that you "Try this." At the beginning it is not easy. Occasionally a student becomes really frustrated. But that is no surprise, for if turning were easy, you would not need to come for instruction and help. In any case, by the afternoon of the second day, I am pleased to say something like, "By jove, I think you've got it."

Whether you come to me, or I go to you, there'll be you, me, a lathe, tools, wood, and two days of personal attention to your turning needs.

For more detailed information, click on the appropriate "button."

© 2009 by Russ Zimmerman