Woodturning Classes With Fred
I have been turning wood for over 3 decades. Most of my initial learning was from trial and error. More recently I have been more reliant on the use of the knowledge base in a variety of woodturning books and attendance at a number of symposia (Ohio Valley Woodturners Guild, American Association of Woodturners, etc) and various classes. One of the best recent learning experiences that I have had was a three-day workshop with David Ellsworth. If you are a woodturner, I strongly urge you to attend his workshops as he has an incredible knowledge base and is an excellent teacher. It goes without saying that it is imperative that you join the organization that supports woodturning, the American Association of Woodturners (http://www.woodturner.org/), as this organization has a world of information and support for woodturners.
After retiring as a university professor I opened a woodworking business (Fred’s Creative Woodworking) which focuses on woodturning. As a production turner I have created very successful products for quilters that I make and sell through my business. I also create one-of-a-kind turnings and teach a variety of subjects. I also write articles on woodturning, etc (refer to section on Publications).
I am presently offering my background knowledge and teaching skills in woodturning for students interested in either learning from scratch or honing their woodturning skills. If you are just getting started in woodturning or have done some woodturning, I can get you past all of the 30 years of mistakes that I have made and learned from in a one-day session! Why waste all of the time with trial and error when you can come to my shop and in one day get past most of the stumbling blocks to successful woodturning?
My shop is well equipped and includes two large lathes, a General 260 and a Robust American Beauty. All of the necessary tools for woodturning are included and available for students to use in classes.
Classes are focused on specific needs of students. I specialize in helping individuals who are just getting started with woodturning as well as those who have skills but need to improve their focus. Class size is limited to two students so each student is able to work on a lathe during the entire class. Cost of instruction is $240 per student for each 8-hour session or, if there are two students in a session, the cost is $210 each. Or, if you just need a brief “tune-up”, I offer hourly instruction at $35 per hour.
My specialty is in doing creative woodturning. I can help you not only to develop your tool-handling skills but to come up with interesting, creative turnings. Prior to your coming to my shop I need to know your skill level and what you wish to accomplish in your class with me. You can either contact me at 570-746-3304 or by e-mail at fredhill@epix.net.
INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CLASSES
Safety in the shop:
Dust control
Face and body protection
Noise
Fumes
Wood toxicity
Wood:
Locating and utilizing sources of wood. You found a log, now what do you do with it?
Coat end grain to prevent checking. Store wood in the shade.
How to locate or produce your own spaulted wood.
Turning green wood vs. dry wood: advantages and disadvantages of each.
Drying wood.
Tools:
Keep your lathe clean and the ways lubricated every day.
Sharpening techniques. Sharpening jigs and how to use them.
Tools and how to use them- Skew chisel, gouges, scrapers, parting, etc.
Wood holding tools:
Vacuum chucks (including how to make your own system for very little money), jaw chucks, friction holding, jam chucks, various centers, faceplates, etc.
Various types of turning:
Bowls
Hollow forms
Spindles
Miscellaneous- spheres, etc.
Finishing:
Various types of glue-- yellow glue, cyanoacrylate (thick and thin), wood stabilizing with CA
Sanding- Including how to avoid most sanding and, if necessary to sand, using the proper sanding scheme-including Abranet
Various wood finishes with advantages and problems of each.
Surface enhancements- ebonizing, buffing, abrading, carving, patterning tools, etc.
Contact me by e-mail or phone to enquire about classes.
