Does any anyone have a recomendation for woodturning classes? There aren't any clubs close by. I see that several places offer classes for beginner level. These run varying lengths. Have you tried them? Any favorites? Any to avoid? I don't mind traveling. Thanks
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Congratulations to Bernie Hyrtzak, People's Choice in the January 2026 Turning Challenge (click here for details) -
Congratulations to David Croxton for "Geri's Basket Illusion" being selected as Turning of the Week for February 2, 2026 (click here for details) -
AAW Symposium demonstrators announced - If the 2026 AAW International Woodturning Symposium is not on your calendar, now is the time to register. And there are discounts available if you sign up early, by Feb. 28. Early Bird pricing gives you the best rate for our 40th Anniversary Symposium in Raleigh, North Carolina, June 4–7, 2026. (There are discounts for AAW chapter members too) For more information vist the discussion thread here or the AAW registration page
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Classes
- Thread starter gran
- Start date
Woodturning Classes
Some of the best ones I have taken have been from Craft Supply. You might try some ono on one mentoring from your local AAW chapter. A good mentor is a god send.
Good luck
Some of the best ones I have taken have been from Craft Supply. You might try some ono on one mentoring from your local AAW chapter. A good mentor is a god send.
Good luck
You might check out Arrowmont.org I enjoyed my time there and learned alot.Halsey
Gran, Where in L.A. are you? ( us folks in the deep south understand the LA thing) I spent a lot of my younger days in the Redneck Riviera.
There is a turning club in Mobile that might be able to help you and there is a new Woodcraft store there too. A couple of the members from our club in MS teach some classes there.
you need some beautiful sweetgum? I have some very large solid butt pieces that are up to 32" and a whole lot of stuff from that size on down. The center is solid and has some outstanding grain patterns.
Bill Hunt
The only woodturner in Wayne Co. Mississippi
There is a turning club in Mobile that might be able to help you and there is a new Woodcraft store there too. A couple of the members from our club in MS teach some classes there.
you need some beautiful sweetgum? I have some very large solid butt pieces that are up to 32" and a whole lot of stuff from that size on down. The center is solid and has some outstanding grain patterns.
Bill Hunt
The only woodturner in Wayne Co. Mississippi
Bill, I'm over in Dothan. Mobile is a long run to make a meeting.
How does sweetgum turn? I've tried splitting it before for firewood and it is nearly impossible. As much as the grain twists around I bet it is pretty as a bowl.
How does sweetgum turn? I've tried splitting it before for firewood and it is nearly impossible. As much as the grain twists around I bet it is pretty as a bowl.
Has anyone gone to the weekend classes at Highland Hardware in Atlanta? We are up that way occasionally.
Weekends at Highland are good. The best way to go is a weeklong class at places like John C. Campbell Folk School. They have world class teachers who give you hand's on teaching. Go to the John C. Campbell website and their catalogue is on line. You can check course offerings by subject or by the week.
Nick Cook is teaching in the end of March for beginners and just started. His basic courses are the best.
Arrowmont is fine as well.
Nick Cook is teaching in the end of March for beginners and just started. His basic courses are the best.
Arrowmont is fine as well.
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I have gone to Craft supplies for classes, highly recommend them. A one-week class equals at least one years experience on your own, IMHO.
bob
bob
john lucas
AAW Forum Expert
Gran
If you happen to be up in middle Tennessee try out the Appalachian Center for crafts www.tntech.edu/craftcenter Click on workshops and then Summer workshops. They have summer workshops. It's a nice place to go. this year they have Paul Ferrul, Nick Cook, Clay Foster and Bob Rosand. If you should come up this way stop in. I'm 15 miles from there.
I can also recommend Arrowmont, John C. Campbell and Highland Hardware as great places to go.
If you happen to be up in middle Tennessee try out the Appalachian Center for crafts www.tntech.edu/craftcenter Click on workshops and then Summer workshops. They have summer workshops. It's a nice place to go. this year they have Paul Ferrul, Nick Cook, Clay Foster and Bob Rosand. If you should come up this way stop in. I'm 15 miles from there.
I can also recommend Arrowmont, John C. Campbell and Highland Hardware as great places to go.
Thanks for all the good info. Maybe one day I'll have a chance to go to Craft Supplies but a week of vacation and travel to Utah is prohibitive for me right now. Shorter and within driving distance is better for me.
My eleven year old son wants to learn as well. I let him do some small projects highly supervised but would like him to learn the right way. Does anyone have any experience with youngsters in class? What is the usual lower age limit?
My eleven year old son wants to learn as well. I let him do some small projects highly supervised but would like him to learn the right way. Does anyone have any experience with youngsters in class? What is the usual lower age limit?
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Teaching kids, Hockenberys
Hi Gran,
Al and Sherry Hockenbery are two of the best at teaching children. They have recently moved to Florida and I am not sure of their e-mail addresses. But, Al occasionally contributes to this forum and I am hopeful that he will jump in now. I believe they presented their program at a national symposium.
I applaud your efforts. When our children were coming along our pastor said "Ed, don't ever look back and say `I wish I had...' " That was advice I followed and it is some of the best I've ever shared. Time spent with them now pays off in big dividends later.
The turners that John Lucas listed are great teachers. Try to take advantage of their availability if possible. Apparently Nick Cook is doing an excellent job of building up John C. Campbell's program. Good lessons now will save you a lot of time down the road.
Hi Gran,
Al and Sherry Hockenbery are two of the best at teaching children. They have recently moved to Florida and I am not sure of their e-mail addresses. But, Al occasionally contributes to this forum and I am hopeful that he will jump in now. I believe they presented their program at a national symposium.
I applaud your efforts. When our children were coming along our pastor said "Ed, don't ever look back and say `I wish I had...' " That was advice I followed and it is some of the best I've ever shared. Time spent with them now pays off in big dividends later.
The turners that John Lucas listed are great teachers. Try to take advantage of their availability if possible. Apparently Nick Cook is doing an excellent job of building up John C. Campbell's program. Good lessons now will save you a lot of time down the road.
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Gran, on Feb.12th the Alabama Woodturners in B"ham will have Clay Foster here from 9:00 am until about 3:00 pm, if you can come on up, go to our web page for directions. Clay is one of the top turners in US.
I don't know for sure,but believe Berea College in Berea,Ky should be a place to get good instruction on turning and any other appalacion art and crafts. Heck,they're alover Tenn and North Carolina.