Saratoga Joinery

With the holidays approaching it is the perfect time to create your own personal version of a small flower vase. Use it as a gift or keep it for your own use. Vases are perfect for gifts and to decorate around the holidays. This is a beginner woodturning project that can be easily made by the student in a reasonable amount of time.

What You’ll Learn

This class does not require any prerequisite as the instructor will be by your side on and off throughout the 3 hour session. Below are several examples of what you will learn and accomplish.

• How to size and pick out a safe and reliable wood blank
• Identify the wood species and why each one has its own character
• Safety on the lathe and proper attire
• Walking through the parts of the lathe and different cutting tools
• Setting up the vase blank for mounting in the lathe
• Turning the outside of the vase to remount it for inside drilling and turning
• Drilling and turning inside of vase and introducing sanding techniques
• Cutting vase off lathe to prepare for finish coating

Tools & Materials Used

The lathe shop is located in the facility's well-lit basement and houses 2 large and 2 midi lathes all suitable for turning your vase.

• Lathe inserts and accessory items
• Awl and hammer
• High volume vacuum exhaust systems
• Face shields and smocks
• Several lathe cutting tools and sandpaper grades

While we're excited to have you learn to use these tools we understand that not everyone will be comfortable with everything we do in the class. So if you don't feel good about making a particular cut or maneuver, just let us know as we will be happy to help.

Skill Level & Prerequisites

Beginner woodturner

Whether you are new to the world of woodworking or a seasoned pro this class will safely teach you the basics of woodturning without any prior knowledge of the lathe.

Ages 16+; minors are required to be accompanied by an adult.

Schedule

One, 3-hour session

Safety

PPE: We provide safety glasses and face shields with optional face masks if requested.

Dress: Turning wood on the lathe is very dusty and plenty of wood shavings will be making body contact, so a button up to the neck shirt or smock will certainly help. Short sleeves are preferred and no loose jewelry. Long hair should be tied back and secured.

Accommodations: A maximum of 4 students will each be assigned a lathe to work on. Different lathes are mounted to accommodate various heights of the students. Please reach out if you have any questions about our space or may need accommodations of any kind.

What to Bring

You may have a high button or zipper shirt that has a smooth fabric surface so wood dust and shavings will fall off easily.

Instructor Bio

Kevin has been woodturning for over 15 years. He is President of Innovative Turning LLC and has taught classes for several years at Starting Point Studios. As a member of the Northeast Woodworking Association (NWA) for over 10 years, he has participated on committee and office positions as well as President of the NWA chapter, the Adirondack Woodturning Association (AWA).

Presently Kevin volunteers weekly in the Joinery’s lathe department for folks who want to bring in a project to turn while being mentored. Kevin has worked in manufacturing as a Safety and Quality Manager and recently retired as an employee at The Fort Miller Group while working in the Technical Service and Engineering Department. He spends most of his time in his fully equipped shop making woodturning items for gifts and for sale at an annual Christmas Market.