Woodturning for Beginners

$279.00

Discover the art of woodturning and transform raw timber into elegant, functional forms.

Designed both for absolute beginners looking for a safe, structured introduction and intermediate turners eager to refine their technique, this hands-on workshop builds the skills and confidence needed to master the lathe.

Guided by an expert tutor, you will dive into the essential principles of workshop safety, timber selection, and lathe operation. You will gain a deep understanding of tool care, learning the crucial art of sharpening to maintain a flawless edge.

Through focused, practical demonstrations, you will master the five core woodturning tools: the roughing gouge, spindle gouge, skew chisel, parting tool, and scraper—discovering exactly when, why, and how to apply each one to the spinning wood.

Discover the art of woodturning and transform raw timber into elegant, functional forms.

Designed both for absolute beginners looking for a safe, structured introduction and intermediate turners eager to refine their technique, this hands-on workshop builds the skills and confidence needed to master the lathe.

Guided by an expert tutor, you will dive into the essential principles of workshop safety, timber selection, and lathe operation. You will gain a deep understanding of tool care, learning the crucial art of sharpening to maintain a flawless edge.

Through focused, practical demonstrations, you will master the five core woodturning tools: the roughing gouge, spindle gouge, skew chisel, parting tool, and scraper—discovering exactly when, why, and how to apply each one to the spinning wood.

ESSENTIAL INFO

If you purchase a ticket for this course, all the information on this page will be emailed to you with your ticket.

👥 Ages: Must be 16+

📍 Venue: Bellingen High School

📈 Level: BEGINNER skill level

Schedule: Mon–Fri, 9am – 12pm (5 Half-Days)

🏷️ Extra costs: This course has a cost of $35 for materials

⚠️ Extra info: This course is held in a small room, with only 6 lathes, it can get hot and noisy and is not suitable for students with mobility issues.

🚗 Check your venue: If you are booking multiple courses, we are unable to provide transport if they are at different venues.

Required skills & experience

  • No experience required.

Supplies that will be provided by your tutor

Cost of $35 includes:

  • Timber

  • Finishing oil

  • Sandpaper

  • Paper towel & misc items to help with the turning process

NOTE: Supply costs will be collected by the tutor before Camp Creative.

Supplies that you need to bring to class

  • PPE (personal protective equipment) including safety glasses, dust mask, covered shoes

  • Well-fitting clothing – no loose clothing is allowed in this class

  • Pencil

  • Ruler

  • Eraser

  • A few sheets of paper for notes and design work

Learning outcomes

  • Principles of woodturning, from safety to using tools and hands-on learning of the basic skills.

  • Produce at least 3 small items to take home.

WEEK PLAN

DAY ONE

  • Safety and knowing your machine, sharpening tools.

DAY TWO

  • Using the roughing gouge and skew chisel.

DAY THREE

  • Using the spindle gouge and parting tool.

DAY FOUR

  • Creating various shapes with each tool.

DAY FIVE

  • Compiling learned knowledge from the course.

  • Making a couple of items to take home.

COURSE TUTOR

David Barden

David Barden has taken his skill at wood-turning and created an art form. Nature is the inspiration behind each piece. Drawing on the beauty of nature, David creates fine-turned homewares sourcing inspiration from the wood itself along with the landscape the wood grew in.

Since discovering his talent for wood-turning in his teens, David has developed an individual and distinctive style, using skills he learned in his engineering trade and his natural creative flair. The joining of his creative genius along with his engineering perfection allows for stunning decorative pieces for buyers, individual products for builders and repair work that preserves history and meaning.

While understanding each piece of timber’s uniqueness, history, and charm, David’s talents allow him to create one-off originals for the discerning collector, a giving piece of nature for the environmentally conscious or a functional item for any homemaker. Like the wood from which they evolve, each piece is original and unique.

As a craftsman and artist, David’s work highlights wood’s natural beauty and versatility – enhancing the many colours, textures and uses of timber – the WOOD WE CREATE.

David has been teaching, sharing his experience and knowledge of woodturning and carving, his passion, for thirty years, including a formal TAE qualification. Woodturning can be taught in a couple of days, but it takes a lifetime to master.

David is a great Woodturner and a great teacher! Thanks for your guidance.
— Happy Camper Review

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