Woodturning courses

The woodturning courses are in the workshop which has a good selection of tools and lathes and has dust extraction and Microclene ambient air filters. There is an abundant supply of timber for you to turn and, of course, a plentiful supply of tea & coffee.

Phil’s aim is to show you the correct and safe way to turn whether it is spindle turning or bowl turning turning along with many of the tricks of the trade.He has many years of experience in hand turning and industrial  production woodturning and his  aim is to pass  knowledge to you.

Safety first

Safety is very important to, You are on your last set of fingers, eyes, and lungs so it pays to be careful, confident and safe in the knowledge that you are turning correctly.
Phil has set up the workshop with safety in mind It is clean, well lit and has  Microclene ambient air filters and a fully metal ducted dust extraction system.There is a dedicated teaching area.Phil can advise you on what tools you may require and provide you with the correct procedures so you can proceed safely. Safety equipment will be provided for your lesson. Safety glasses, or a full visor which must be used when on the lathe/grinder and a  dust mask and optional earplugs. If you prefer you can bring your own visor or powered respirator. It is advisable for you to bring your tools along so Phil can see how you grind your tools.

Phil also provides comprehensive notes in a handy folder , to remind you of some of the tips later on when you are practicing in your workshop.The handy booklet  also includes recommended suppliers,lathes, videos , books and to also help guide you through the  expensive maze of setting up  a home  workshop for wood turning if you have not already done so.Typically if you have not set up a wood turning workshop Phil’s advice will easily save you the cost of the course by saving on unnecessary purchases so Phil’s course will likely save you money in the long run and is highly educational.

It is advisable for you to bring your tools along if you have any so that Phil can see how you grind your tools so that he can teach you how to get the most from them.

The lathes & tools

The lathes that can be used for the courses are a Union Graduate, Record Nova (vs) and a Poolewood (vs). These lathes give a wide range of scope from variable speed and to fixed Head stock and robustness for you to try & also varying working heights.(vs= variable speed)

There is a very good selection of tools of all differing manufactures so that you can try several differing options.The woodturning chucks Phil uses are mainly Axminster power tools chucks ,there is a wide range of chuck jaws and time is spent on the chucking methods that can be utilised.

Why only two students?

After careful consideration, Phil Jones professional Wood turner has decided to teach only a maximum of two people per session on the one-day courses. This is so that the students receive maximum input from Phil. This is because the greater the number of students, the more Phil’s time has to be divided, resulting in students learning more skills in the time provided. Phil was taught himself by this method of one to one tuition and it is the time served way for crafting skills i.e Wood turning to be passed on to others.

If time allows  the student or students can personalise their bowl by inscribing the bowl on the base with their name or a date with a hand held pyrography  burner.

Phil has helped all types of people from young adolescents who need to be accompanied by a guardian at all times and to people who have severe physical disabilities. He tries extremely hard to adapt the course to the individuals requirements

Where students would like to do 2-1 sessions  with a friend or family member Phil is very happy to accommodate. 

If you would like a gift voucher for a friend Phil is happy to take bookings for them via email or from the ” Buy it now ” buttons below and can provide a Gift Voucher  letter for the recipient.The Gift Voucher is emailed to the donor but will not be valid until paid in full.Please note the buy it now buttons the Gift voucher is not an automated service and will follow when Phil attends his emails which is typically daily.

Wood turning gift voucher 1-1 to be used within 6 months £280.00

Wood turning gift voucher 2-1 to be used within 6 months £300.00

Wood turning gift voucher £100 to aid towards a wood turning day this will need topping up by the recipient to either a 2-1 course or 1-1 course or by another relative or friend to the full cost before a course can be booked within 6 months. Both places on 2-1 course need to be booked at the same time.

phil@acornwoodturning.co.uk

Phil’s mobile : 07783 652687     Office hours please

Acorn Woodturning detailed location at Kemp’s Farm, HP17 8XG

What is covered ?

Subjects that can be covered in detail dependent on the duration of time booked and student ability.
Below is a brief description of what can be covered in a course dependent upon the duration and the student ability, if there is any areas you would particularly like time spent on such as turning beads with the Skew and planing cuts with the Skew, this can be catered for. We will also cover tool sharpening as without sharp tools, you can not turn. Here is the first links to my Youtube videos as teaching aids.

Basic Grinding https://youtu.be/09L6et4KV9Q

Basic bowl turning one day course

• Health & Safety
• How to sharpen the tools
• The various methods of mounting the blank
• Turning the outside edge of blank and directions of the cuts
• Sanding and polishing the exterior of the bowl
• Turning the inside of the bowl
• The effect of the size of the Gouge and effect on shavings and tool finish
• The various cuts using the Gouge push and pull cuts
• How to Sand the interior of the bowl (hand and power sanding)

Advanced Spindle turning one day course

• Health & Safety
• Repeating a faceplate turning such as for a lamp base, trinket vase or patrae
• Turning beads
• Turning hollows
• Using screw chucks
• Jam chucks
• Reverse chucking methods
• Texturing and colouring

Spindle turning advanced one day course

• Health & Safety
• Tool sharpening – grinding and stoning, free hand
• Mounting the blank on the lathe
• How to hold and use the Roughing gouge
• Using the Skew for vertical cuts
• Using the Skew widening to widen vertical v cuts
• Using the Skew to turn beads
• Using the Skew to cut a Pommel (square section)
• Using the Skew for planing cuts forwards and backward
• Using a Skew to finish ends of a turning
• Taking diameters to sizes using calipers or a vernier
• Using a parting tool, thin-bladed and diamond parting tool
• Using a parting tool, thin-bladed and diamond parting tool
• Sanding & polishing
• If time allows we will put it all together to make either a foot massager, rolling pin, dibber or something a little more adventurous.
  

   

Advanced spindle turning

• Health & Safety
• Copying a spindle
• Scratch markers
• Marking stick
• Using calipers and vernier or gauge fingers
• Long hole boring (table light stem)
• Jointing a turning (a round mortice and tenon)
• Using an indexing head and router for fluting
• Turning a spindle with holes
• Barley twist left and right-handed

Advanced Face plate work

• Health & Safety
• Repeating a faceplate turning such as for a lamp base, trinket vase or patrae
• Turning beads
• Turning hollows
• Using screw chucks
• Jam chucks
• Reverse chucking methods
• Texturing and colouring