Class description
Open studio time for turners who already know their way around a lathe and just want to get on with it. There’s no set curriculum and no lesson plan. You bring a project you’re working on, or a skill you want to sharpen, and you turn.
Simon is on the floor throughout as a sounding board. Stuck on a form, second-guessing a cut, not sure why a finish keeps letting you down? Talk it through with him as it comes up. Other Wood Academy experts are on hand to help at the bench when you need an extra set of eyes.
It’s the sort of session experienced turners ask for: less instruction, more time on the tools, with people who know the craft nearby when you want them.
Who this is for
Intermediate to advanced turners who are comfortable and safe at the lathe on their own. This is not a beginners’ class and there’s no step-by-step teaching. If you can set up and run a project unassisted and want studio time with experts nearby, this is built for you.
Why You’ll Love This Class
Your agenda, not ours. No curriculum. Work on your own project or drill into one skill you want to improve.
Simon as a sounding board. An experienced turner on the floor to talk through problems as they happen, not a scripted lesson.
Extra help at the bench. Simon and other Wood Academy experts on hand to assist when you need it.
Turn among peers. Five days alongside other experienced turners, picking up things you don’t get working alone.
Proper studio time. Vicmarc lathes, chucks and accessories, plus a range of Henry Taylor chisels, with Tormek T-8 and Vicmarc sharpening on hand. Bring your own gear if you prefer.
What you’ll work on
Because there’s no fixed curriculum, what you get out of the week is what you bring to it. You might finish a project that’s been sitting half-done, work through a technique you’ve struggled with, get feedback on form and tool control, or try something new like hollow vessels, natural edge or coring, with an expert watching on. Simon and the team help where you ask, rather than running everyone through the same exercise.
Structure
Five consecutive days, 9am to 4pm each day. There’s no set curriculum, so you set the pace and the project. Come in each day with a plan for what you want to work on, or talk it through with Simon when you arrive, and use the time and the gear however suits your work best. Simon is on the floor throughout, with other Wood Academy experts on hand.
Hands-on experience
You’re at the lathe the whole time on your own work, on Vicmarc lathes with full workshop tooling provided. Bring the project you want to work on. We keep basic bowl blanks on hand, so standard bowl work is covered. For anything out of the norm, like hollow vessels, natural edge or coring, bring your own timber, since those aren’t blanks we keep in stock. Tools are provided, or bring your own if you prefer.
Good to know
PPE is supplied. If you’d rather use your own, bring a face mask, safety glasses or goggles, and earmuffs or earplugs. Closed shoes are mandatory for all students.
There’s a kitchen on-site with a fridge, microwave and dining room, and takeaway options within walking distance.
Parking on-site is limited. We do have spots, but they fill up, so it’s worth arriving early. If they’re taken, there’s street parking nearby, though that can fill quickly too and you may end up parking a little further away.
Ready to book?
If you want time at the lathe with experts nearby and no lesson getting in the way, this is it. Book your spot.
Why You’ll Love This Class
Your agenda, not ours. No curriculum. Work on your own project or drill into one skill you want to improve.
Simon as a sounding board. An experienced turner on the floor to talk through problems as they happen, not a scripted lesson.
Extra help at the bench. Simon and other Wood Academy experts on hand to assist when you need it.
Turn among peers. Five days alongside other experienced turners, picking up things you don’t get working alone.
Proper studio time. Vicmarc lathes, chucks and accessories, plus a range of Henry Taylor chisels, with Tormek T-8 and Vicmarc sharpening on hand. Bring your own gear if you prefer.
What you’ll work on
Because there’s no fixed curriculum, what you get out of the week is what you bring to it. You might finish a project that’s been sitting half-done, work through a technique you’ve struggled with, get feedback on form and tool control, or try something new like hollow vessels, natural edge or coring, with an expert watching on. Simon and the team help where you ask, rather than running everyone through the same exercise.
Structure
Five consecutive days, 9am to 4pm each day. There’s no set curriculum, so you set the pace and the project. Come in each day with a plan for what you want to work on, or talk it through with Simon when you arrive, and use the time and the gear however suits your work best. Simon is on the floor throughout, with other Wood Academy experts on hand.
Hands-on experience
You’re at the lathe the whole time on your own work, on Vicmarc lathes with full workshop tooling provided. Bring the project you want to work on. We keep basic bowl blanks on hand, so standard bowl work is covered. For anything out of the norm, like hollow vessels, natural edge or coring, bring your own timber, since those aren’t blanks we keep in stock. Tools are provided, or bring your own if you prefer.
Good to know
PPE is supplied. If you’d rather use your own, bring a face mask, safety glasses or goggles, and earmuffs or earplugs. Closed shoes are mandatory for all students.
There’s a kitchen on-site with a fridge, microwave and dining room, and takeaway options within walking distance.
Parking on-site is limited. We do have spots, but they fill up, so it’s worth arriving early. If they’re taken, there’s street parking nearby, though that can fill quickly too and you may end up parking a little further away.
Ready to book?
If you want time at the lathe with experts nearby and no lesson getting in the way, this is it. Book your spot.
WHAT YOU'LL GET
You leave with progress on your own projects and five days of hands-on feedback from Simon and the Wood Academy team. A lathe is provided for each student, along with Vicmarc chucks and accessories, a range of Henry Taylor chisels, and Tormek T-8 and Vicmarc sharpening. Basic bowl blanks are on hand for standard bowl work.
WHAT TO BRINg
Bring the project you want to work on. We keep basic bowl blanks on hand for standard bowl work, but if you are doing anything out of the norm, like hollow vessels, natural edge or coring, bring your own timber, as we do not keep those blanks in stock.
PPE will be supplied, however students wishing to bring their own should come with a face mask, safety glasses or goggles, and earmuffs or earplugs.
Closed shoes are a mandatory requirement for all students.
Those with their own turning chisels and chucks should bring them along to work with gear they are used to, but we supply all tools if you don’t have any.
We have a kitchen onsite with a fridge, microwave and dining room for those that want to bring their own food, and there are also takeaway options within walking distance.
Parking onsite is limited. We do have spots, but they fill up, so it is worth arriving early. If they are taken, there is street parking nearby, though that can fill quickly too and you may end up parking a little further away.
WORK SHOP location
7/8 Wilmette Place, Mona Vale NSW
