Introduction to Bowl Turning on a Pole Lathe
Dates: Saturday, May 10th & Sunday, May 11th (2 meetings)
Hours: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Instructor: Eric Goodson
Come learn to turn wooden bowls on a foot-powered pole lathe. For a thousand years, people turned all sorts of bowls, cups, and chair parts on these simple, hand-built machines. This two-day class will teach students how to ax bowl blanks from a freshly felled log, tune a pole lathe for optimal performance, and use simple hook tools to create one or two bowls. Students will also learn how to sharpen hook tools, how to dry and finish their bowls, and the basics of how they might build a lathe of their own. Axing bowl blanks and turning on a pole lathe require a certain amount of strength, stamina, and coordination, so students should be prepared for a physically demanding class.*This class will take place indoors.
Tools & Supplies: All tools and supplies are provided for this class.
Attire: This is a general list of how to dress for the shop environment, please contact ce@nbss.edu if you have any questions.
- Closed-toe, comfortable, and protective footwear (sneakers or boots)
- No loose clothing
- Long pants suggested
- No loose jewelry
- Long hair must be tied back
Prerequisite: None, some experience with turning or carving is helpful.