NWWT Classes

Stuart Batty - February 2020

Northwest Woodturners has two types of classes – Visitor classes and NWWT-developed classed. 

Nationally Known Instructors
Our visitor classes are conducted by nationally known woodturners visiting us for our monthly general meeting and stay on for two days of classes or demos. We have had Stuart Batty, Ashley Hardwood, Glenn Lucas, Janice Levi, Dale Larson, Carl Jacobson, Reed Gray, and other well-known and respected turners.

NWWT Classes
NWWT has developed a series of classes targeted at beginners and intermediate turners who are interested in learning the craft or improving their skills. We have six club midi-lathes, each equipped with a bright light, chucks, live centers, measurement tools and everything needed for the classes. We have plenty of loaner tools that you can use and try out. In addition, we have two sharpening stations equipped with CBN wheels and Oneway Wolverine sharpening jigs.

In addition to the instructor and co-instructor, there are three or four helpers who are experienced turners and can provide one-on-one supervision during the practice times.

For lathe-based classes, registration is limited to six students, after which a waitlist is started in case of cancellation. Our location is a heated barn with doors on two ends for good air flow and is large enough for the lathes to adhere to the current "social distancing" guidelines.

The Five Classes

  • Sharpening
  • Basic Bowl Turning
  • Intermediate Bowl Turning
  • Basic Spindle Turning
  • Intermediate Spindle Turning

Requirements and general information

  • Proof of Vaccination is required
  • Students must be members of NWWT
  • Class will be limited to 6 students - one per lathe
  • Instructors are experienced NWWT members
  • 3 Sharpening systems will be available
  • All wood will be supplied
  • Students bring their own PPE (face shields, dust protection)
  • Coffee and snacks will be provided, but bring your own lunch
  • If you have any COVID related symptoms, please do not register or if you have symptoms on the day of the class, please let us know and a full refund will be sent.


      Sharpening

      Course Objectives

      The objective of this 4-hour class is to go home with all your tools sharp and understanding how to replicate it at home.
      • 3-4 fully equipped sharpening stations are available
      • Comprehensive sharpening document HERE

      Class Agenda

      • The advantages and disadvantages of different tool steels
      • Overview of the common methods of sharpening: grinders, wheels, jigs
      • Explain scraper sharpening: grinder vs burnishing tool
      • Introduction to hand sharpening
      • Sharpening time - Sharpen your tools with help from instructors



      Basic Bowl Turning

      Course Objectives

      The objective of the class is to go home with a bowl (or two) made during the class and the skills needed to make one at home.

      • 6 Midi-lathes available for students plus the instructor's lathe.
      • Class binder with notes and reference materials for all
      • All wood is provided
      Prerequisite woodturning skills:  None required.

       Agenda
      • Sharpening the tools required for class with help from the instruction staff.
      • Mount a green blank between centers; flatten bowl bottom surface; cut a tenon
      • Mount blank in a chuck
      • Instruction on the basic push-cut and pull-cut techniques
      • Cut the exterior shape and interior surface, and smooth with scraper
      • Reverse the bowl and finish cut the bottom
      • Start a second bowl (time permitting) to finish at home
      • Each student will take home one bowl and one blank for practice.




      Intermediate Bowl Turning

      Course Objectives:  

      The primary objective of this course is to refine your skills in the finer details of bowl turning and advance you to the next level of expertise. You should already know how to mount and turn a bowl inside and out with reasonable efficiency. If you have not yet developed these skills, please do not register for this course. 

      Each student should complete two bowls in class, not including sanding and finish application.

      • 6 Midi-lathes available for students plus the instructor's lathe.
      • Class binder with notes and reference materials for all
      • All wood is provided

      Prerequisite Skills

      • Efficient ability to prepare and mount a bowl blank between centers and in a chuck using a tenon or a recess
      • Efficient ability to shape the outside and inside of a bowl
      • Basic sharpening skills for a bowl gouge and a scraper
      • Ability to complete a basic bowl except for sanding and applying finish

      Agenda

      • Tune-up/sharpen tools for the class with help from the staff.
      • Presentation on advanced design and form concepts, shape, rims, bottoms
      • Review of bowl gouge grinds: 40/40, traditional (50°), bottom (65°-75°), Ellsworth, etc
      • Mounting options: when to use a tenon or recess
      • Turn a “once-turned” bowl through the finish-cutting stage with a green blank
      • Turn a roughed and dried bowl blank supplied (or bring your own) to the point of final scraping:
      • Learn methods for truing warped tenon or recess for re-mounting
      • Learn methods of cutting thinner wall thickness
      • Learn methods of scraping thin-walled bowls
      • Sanding and finish application if time permits



      Basic Spindle Turning

      Course Objectives

      The primary objective of this course is to walk beginners through making basic spindle pieces such as a candle stick, honey dipper or simple toy. This course is targeted at people who have never turned wood, or who want to take a refresher course before advancing to the next level of spindle turning expertise.
        • 6 Midi-lathes available for students plus the instructor's lathe.
        • Class binder with notes and reference materials for all
        • All wood is provided

        Prerequisite woodturning skills:  None required, 

        Agenda

        • Sharpen all tools used for the class (loaner tools are available)
        • How to use a Roughing Gouge, Spindle Gouge and parting tool
        • Mounting a square blank and making it round with a Roughing Gouge
        • Making Beads and Coves with a Spindle Gouge
        • Spindle Project - pick a project and make it.  If time allows, make a second product.



        Intermediate Spindle Class

        Course Objectives
        The primary objective of this course is to teach additional spindle turning skills, beyond the basic skills, for use across a wide range of spindle forms.  Each student will cut 2 to 3 spindle projects during the day.

          Prerequisite Skills:  If you have not developed the skills described below, please do not register for this course.

          • Students coming to this class need to already have the skill to efficiently use a rouging gouge, spindle gouge, and parting tool.
          • Students coming to this class need to already have the skills to efficiently cut beads and coves.

          Agenda

          • Sharpen all tools used for the class with help from instruction staff.
          • Introduction to the Skew chisel
          • Practice beads and coves with spindle gouge
          • Students complete one simple spindle project
          • Students select and turn one or two spindle projects from available examples: mallet, dibble, bolero toy, candlestick, etc. 
          • The final two hours are devoted to integrating each participant’s skill set by completing a project(s) suited to the participant’s skill level and interests. Possible projects include a bud vase, tool handles, a decorative finial, legs for stools and benches, or other projects.


          Northwest Woodturners
          PO Box 1157
          Lake Oswego, OR 97035

           Northwest Woodturners is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. 

          Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software