Classes

BLACK WARRIOR WOOD TURNING SCHOOL


Classes are scheduled each month by appointment only providing a basic repertoire for all turning skill levels. All classes are 3 to4-hours each. Both weekend and weekday classes are available and meet 9 A.M.- 1:00 or 1:00-5 P.M.  Classes are private lessons unless student request more attendees. Class size is a maximum of two students. For advanced students private lessons on specific techniques are available. Enrollment is 1st paid basis to guarantee a class slot. Class fees are to be prepaid and nonrefundable unless the course is cancelled by the instructor. Fee includes all materials.

All classes are taught, using the show, tell and hands-on-method, to practice specific tool techniques illustrated in the course on specific projects. Different tool techniques are taught in each class and are practiced to complete class project. Classes are taught in a non-competitive atmosphere, where students are allowed to work at their own pace.

Individual classes can be adapted for person who are visually and/or physically challenged, upon request. (We have experience teaching students with the following challenges: Blind and Visually impaired, Traumatic brain injury, Prosthesis, Parkinson's, Intermittent Tremors and Cerebral Palsy). https://www.youtube.com/Blind Alabama Veteran Turner. (Black Warrior Wood Turning School/ Student).

BEGINNING CLASSES: (No knowledge of turning or no turning activity in the past two years).

Introduction to Turning and Basic Bowl Turning classes are a “sample or overview” of most of the basic techniques for wood turning. These two classes are designed for the “beginning” turner, allow the novice student to determine their appreciation of the art form and determine the preferred area of advanced turning.

Introduction to Turning - Two part session covering essentials for a wood turning studio and basics of the lathe, its maintenance and tuning, safety, as well as, tool handling skills and body positioning; tool basics of steel types, handles, wood structure; cutting techniques of various tools used in spindle turning; and sharpening of tools. Students will practice their skills with hands-on spindle project(s). Assumes NO basic understanding of lathe.

Basic Bowl Turning - Basics of wood bowl turning: incorporating all steps from 'reading the wood’ to drying techniques, chucking and re-chucking techniques, and finish cuts on wood for a small salad bowl. Participants should have a finished a bowl to take home. Assumes basic understanding of lathe

Small Projects - Projects such as twig pots, bottle stoppers, Christmas tree ornaments, potpourri bowls, confetti lights, etc. will be covered in the session. The participants in the class will complete 3-4 projects. Assumes basic skills in bowl turning.

Pepper Mills - Students will learn to make a I0" pepper mill as a class project. Tool skills of spindle turning are emphasized, drilling on the lathe, tool sharpening, and pepper mill design are taught in this class. Students should have a completed pepper mill completed at the conclusion of the class. Assumes basic understanding of lathe and/or Introduction to the lathe class.

Pen Turning- Students learn the basics of turning pens from beginning to a finished pen. They will use the skills of spindle turning on a pen blank, sanding as well as finishing techniques. A twist ball point pen will be finished in the class for the student to take home. Assumes accomplishment in basic spindle turning.

INTERMEDIATE CLASSES (for students who feel that their skills level are beyond basic skills but need a little more guidance before taking advanced classes)

Bowl Design - Introduction to open/closed bowls, bowl bottoms- both footed and non-footed styles and bottom finishing techniques. Students will design and execute bowl(s) project from two roughed out bowls provided by the student for designing, executing, and finishing. Assumes basic skills in bowl turning.

Green-Wood Bowls - Turning larger (10"+) bowls with different design features, which require intermediate skills like: push and pull cuts, shear cutting, shear scraping, and side-grind bowl gouge techniques. Students should to finish a bowl during the class. Assumes basic skills in bowl turning and execution of at least 10 bowls in the past 2 years.

Reading Wood-Getting the most out of it - Introduction in “reading” trees, cutting trees into blanks that highlight the features they want to emphasize those features, and processing blanks for future turning. Emphasis will be on getting the best vessel from a wood blank. Students will design and execute a bowl project. Assumes basic skills in bowl turning.

Lidded Boxes- Introduction to lidded boxes using dried wood. Students will design a lidded box and execute by selecting wood, selecting the proper tools and turn to a finished box. Students will learn techniques of spindle turning, hollowing, sanding and finishing inside and exterior of the box. A finished box should be completed during the class. Assumes basic skills in bowl turning.
 
ADVANCED CLASSES (for participants who are reasonably proficient and experienced in the basic wood turning techniques. The goal is to advance the wood turners knowledge and skills level to a point where advanced turning is able to be performed skillfully- goblets; platters and boxes are possible in the advanced skills level.)

Bark Edge Bowls - Turning specialty bark-edged or natural edged bowls. Design, bark-edge care, wall thickness and finishing techniques covered. A bark edge/natural edged bowl should be completed in this class. Assumes intermediate skills in bowl turning.

Hollow Turning I - A single piece hollow vessel is the project of this class. Hollowing a vessel through a 2-3 inch opening and hollow turning tools are covered. Students should have completed a hollow vessel form at the end of the class. Assumes a minimum of intermediate skills in bowl turning.

Hollow Turning II - Two-piece construction of a hollow vessel. Similar to the class "Hollow Turning I", except the vessel is hollowed through the larger opening. The opening is then made smaller using a second piece of wood fitted into the larger opening. Assumes intermediate skills in bowl turning.
 
Specialized Advanced Turnings - Projects or working on special woods such as: bowls from burls and spalted wood bowls; thin bowls, goblets, boxes and scoops projects can be arranged on an individual basis. Assumes intermediate skills in bowl turning.

Directions

 

Black Warrior Wood Turning School
 

4509 Woodland Hills Drive
Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
Tel: (205) 553-6977

Maurice@clabaugh.org

E-mail- maurice@clabaugh.org
FROM Birmingham:

  1. Take I 20-59 west to Tuscaloosa.

  2. Take a right at EXIT 76 (East Tuscaloosa and Cottondale).

  3. At the bottom of the ramp (stoplight) take a right towards Cottondale.

  4. Go to the next STOPLIGHT. There is a Texaco Gas station on your left.

  5. Take a Left at the stoplight (Between the Burger King and the Texaco station).

  6. Go 2 blocks and you will come to a traffic circle (two blocks from the stoplight) that is one-way to the right.

  7. Go around the circle until you come to the 3rd street to the right (first street is Red Oak lane, 2nd is 47th St. and 3rd is Woodland Hills Dr.). THINK OF IT AS A CLOCK FACE.YOU ARE COMING IN AT 6:00 GOING COUNTER CLOCKWISE- EXIT AT 9:00.

  8. Go to the 2nd street on the left. It is a cul-de-sac.

  9. Turn left. There are only 2 houses in the cuI-de sac. Clabaugh's is the cream-colored house with the black shutters and roof on the right. The studio is behind the house on left side of the drive. If you have problems call (205) 553-6977. Notice Sign for student parking is in the lawn.


FROM the South or West of Tuscaloosa:

  1. Take I 20-59 east towards Birmingham..

  2. Take a right at EXIT 76 off I 20-59 East (East Tuscaloosa and Cottondale).

  3. At the bottom of the ramp take a left towards Cottondale.

  4. Go under the Interstate. Go to the second STOPLIGHT. There is a Texaco Gas station on your left.

  5. Take a Left at the stoplight (Between the Burger King and the Texaco station).

  6. Go 2 blocks and you will come to a traffic circle (two blocks from the stoplight) that is one-way to the right.

  7. Go around the circle until you come to the 3rd street to the right (first street is Red Oak lane, 2nd 47th St. and 3rd Woodland Hills Dr.). THINK OF IT AS A CLOCK FACE. YOU ARE COMING IN AT 6:00 GOING COUNTER-CLOCKWISE- EXIT AT 9:00.

  8. Go to the 2nd street to the left. It is a cul-de-sac.

  9. Turn left. There are only 2 houses in the cuI-de sac. Clabaugh's is the cream-colored house with the black shutters and roof on the right. The studio is behind the house on the left side of the drive. If you have problems call (205) 553-6977. Notice Sign for student parking is in the lawn.