One day Classes at the Denver Tool Library
I am as passionate about teaching as I am about creating my own work. Beginning in October 2019, I partnered with the Denver Tool Library to create a series of one-day, beginner-friendly woodturning classes taught in their community woodshop. All tools, safety equipment, wood, finishing supplies, and abrasives are included in the cost of the class. You just have to show up ready to have a great time as you watch the first shavings fly off of the gouge and you discover why so many people love to turn wood! We use traditional HSS tools only (no carbide, though you are welcome to bring your own), and sharpening the tools is covered as part of each class.
Woodturning is one of the forms of woodworking that benefits the most from in-person instruction. Learning to turn is more like learning how to play a musical instrument than any other form of woodworking- there are lots of subtle concepts at play and muscle memory for delicate motions that will at first seem foreign must be developed. Having an experienced instructor guiding you every step of the way can shortcut your learning process and help you get started right, without the development of bad habits that will slow you down in the long run.
While my classes are designed with the beginner in mind, intermediate woodturners that wish to correct bad habits or refine technique have found great value in them as well. Class sizes are kept small (5-7 students max depending on which class), so you will receive lots of personal attention and coaching throughout the day.
In addition, once you complete a woodturning class with me at the Denver Tool Library, you will be certified to come back and use our lathes and woodturning tools for a low hourly rate during weekly open shop hours.
For more information about upcoming classes, including detailed descriptions of each class and available dates, and to register, please click here to go to the Denver Tool Library Woodturning Classes Page.
Picture Frame Boxes demonstration companion photoset
The photoset here (link to Imgur album) will take you step by step through the creation of a “picture frame box.” This process allows you to use a contrasting wood inlay on the top of the box that can be seen from both the top and the bottom of the lid. (In contrast to a more basic inlay technique that might leave the inlay visible from the top of the lid only).
This process was the topic of my demonstration at the March 2024 meetings of the Front Range Woodturners and the Rocky Mountain Woodturners, and I will repeat the demo in September 2024 at the Rocky Mountain Woodturning Symposium.
I gave both clubs permission to post the March 2024 demos on their YouTube pages. See the following links to view the demos at:
