Another successful hollow form course was completed this past weekend by myself and Mark Sanger, the weather was great apart from a few showers which did not effect us as much as it would have the Glastonbury festival not far away.
The format for the two day hollow form courses that we run covers all that is needed for students to turn an end grain open form from unseasoned wood on the first day and a small holed cross grain form on the second.
The courses are always relaxed and fun with everyone being encourage to work progressively at their own pace for the two days.
Every student on this course takes away a fifteen page Aide memoire
Each course is £80/day/person so for £160 you get two days of tuition, all the materials, loan of tools and safety equipment. or bring your own,
Food and refreshments are included, all this with two tutors giving the correct amount of personal tuition, why pay more for less.
Mark caught off guard as he relaxes for the first cuppa of the day when we all sit down and get to know each other.
In the workshop, first and most importantly health and safety is covered and maintained throughout the two days, woodturning is fun but can be inherently dangerous so it should be at the forefront at all times.
Wood selection for an unseasoned end grain form is covered, what to look for and what to discard and how this is orientated on the lathe for turning.
Once the wood is safely mounted on the lathe Mark covers form taking into account the 'Rule of Thirds' which is one of the methods discussed and shown through various examples of pieces Mark brought as examples. Through-out students are encouraged to ask questions and get involved in open discussion about shape, form and methods of turning.
Then it is onto making shavings at which point each student uses their own tools if they want to or the one provided. The different grinds and tooling methods such as push and pull cuts are demonstrated my Mark and myself using both long and standard grinds. Mark demonstrates the method for turning the outside of a form and then each student starts their own project with Mark and myself helping with the tooling techniques along the way.
Many types/makes of hollowing tools are available for the students to try but they are encouraged if they already own a hollow tool to bring it along so they can work with it and refine any issues they may have.
Sue starting to rough down her form
John who had made a 200 mile trip for the course shaping the outside.
Pete facing off with a push cut
John starting to hollow out using the Rolly Munro
Mark showing how to measure out prior to Sue drilling to depth prior to hollowing.
Pete refining the outside form
Finally all the finished forms were oiled with the subject of seasoning being covered after which we had a final cuppa and debrief/discussion to cover any questions etc.
Day two and we are onto producing a squat cross grain hollow form from seasoned sycamore.
Sue hollowing out with the Revolution
John hollowing out under the shoulder using his Keltons
Mark enjoying the day
Chris and Sue finishing the outside of their forms using an inertia sanding arbours and hand finishing.
Jon, Pete and Sue with the two forms they produced during the course.
Each day we were treated to a lovely lunch prepared by Susan my wife who also looked after us with refreshments when needed.
Mark and I are running courses in the coming months on, box making, natural edge and thin wall turning, spindle turning, bowl turning an others so check back in from time to time for details. Or if you prefer email me for details.
