Bowl Turning Basics 2

Students will learn how to harvest and process wood blanks for turning. On the first day, time will be devoted to tool sharpening. From there you will learn about the mechanics of a woodturning lathe and the inherent dangers and safety procedures at the lathe. Students will explore how (and why) to rough turn a bowl and process it to minimize checking or cracking. They will come away with an understanding of how to finish turning a once-turned bowl with minimal tear-out. Sanding, finishing, and caring for a wood bowl will be covered. Students leave with a bowl they made with their own hands.

The foundation of this workshop will be for beginners, but intermediate turners will be allowed to work at their own pace.

Skills and Techniques:

• Where to get wood
• Harvesting and processing wood for bowls
• Understanding wood grain and movement
• Tool selection and lathe accessories
• Sharpening simplified
• Lathe mechanics and safety
• How to rough turn and properly dry first-turned bowls
• How to second turn a bowl
• Sanding and finishing
• Care instructions

Materials Fee: $75 Paid at the time of workshop.
Fee covers a green turning blank, a once-turned bowl, sealer for the once-turned bowl, sandpaper, and one coat of finish. Additional coats may be needed.

Special Tools or Equipment: Dust masks and face shields are the student’s responsibility. Wear work clothes and appropriate footwear to work in a shop. No loose clothing and long hair must be tied back.

Please be sure to read our 2025 policies before you register for a workshop which can be found here Workshop Policies