• The forum upgrades have been completed. These were moderate security fixes from our software vendor and it looks like everything is working well. If you see any problems please post in the Forum Technical Support forum or email us at forum_moderator (at) aawforum.org. Thank you
  • 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
  • Welcome new registering member. Your username must be your real First and Last name (for example: John Doe). "Screen names" and "handles" are not allowed and your registration will be deleted if you don't use your real name. Also, do not use all caps nor all lower case.

Turning Classes

Joined
Jun 25, 2010
Messages
202
Likes
1
Location
West Palm Beach , Florida
If I want to start woodturning classes in my shop do I have to get separate insurance or does the AAW insurance cover me?

How does one start a woodturning school?

I already have a large shop with 8 lathes.


Thanks
 
My understanding is that for the AAW insurance policy to cover you, the activity whatever it is, wherever it is, must be sanctioned by an AAW chapter as a chapter event.
 
skip the Insurance

Okay let's skip the insurance thing I will get my agent to figure that one out. How about the processes to start a southern woodturning school.
 
I know of no regulations or certifications for running a turning school.

Adhere to any local ordinances such as zoning, fire Marshall restrictions.
Probably form an LLC to protect against a major suit
Advertise in the AAW Journal.
Build a web site

Successful schools have
1. adequate facilities with housing, food, equipment
2. A faculty of top notch teachers
3. Students


1 is easy to solve, you provide breakfast and lunch and work a discount with a local motel.

2 and 3 are the chicken and egg. Good teachers teach at the best schools the best schools get the best teachers.

You may be able attract some good teachers who come to Florida very year, get Florida symposium demonstrators to teach the week before and week after he florida symposium... Maybe you know one or two top turners who would teach for you. Regardless you have to pay the instructors a going rate and feed and house them.

-al
 
Last edited:
It's my feeling that you will have to get started by hiring the "big name" touring woodturners to make it a going project. Week long classes may produce the most profit, but those guys can get rather booked up with all the other schools. After you get a reputation and following, then you can do more classes by yourself.
 
@ Brian

west palm beach , Florida
 
Back
Top