Woodturning workshops with master woodturner, Alabama

Join Maurice at these wonderful classes where he will teach you the skills of woodturning, using the show, tell and hands-on method. You will practice specific tool techniques illustrated in the course on specific suggested projects. Different tool techniques are taught in each class and are practiced to complete class projects. Classes are taught in a non competitive atmosphere, where students are allowed to work at their own pace.

Classes take place on the first and fourth weekend of each month from 12noon to 4pm.

Each class is 4 hours and the fee is $300 per class. Classes are taught on Saturday (1) class and Sunday (1)class. Type of class taught are upon students request rather than a specific class taught on a specific day

Basic classes emphasize the selection, sharpening and basic use of woodturning tools. Tool techniques are emphasize, including the use of scrapers and parting tools.

Introduction to Turning - Covers basics of the lathe, its maintenance and tuning, safety, as well as, tool handling skills and body positioning; Tool basics of steel types, handle, wood structure; cutting techniques of various tools; 'chucking' techniques; and sharpening of tools. Students will have hands-on projects to practice the skills learned.

Assumes NO basic understanding of lathe.

Basic Bowl Turning- Basics of green wood bowl turning: incorporating all steps from 'reading the wood' to drying techniques, re-chucking, and finish cuts 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.

Intermediate classes are 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 a bowl project. Prerequisites-Assumes basic skills in bowl turning.

Green Wood Bowl- Turning larger (10"+) bowls with different design features, which require intermediate skills: shear scraping, and side grind bowl gouge techniques. Students should to finish a bowl. Assumes basic skills in bowl turning.

Advanced classes are 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 work is able to be skillfully turned. Projects such as bark edge/natural edge bowls; thin bowls; burls and spalted

wood bowls, scoops or goblets; platters and boxes are possible in the advanced skills level.

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

Hollow Turning I and II - Hollow turning a vessel through a 2-inch opening and hollow turning tools are covered. Students should have completed a hollow vessel form at the end of each class Assumes a minimum of intermediate skills in bowl turning.

Class charges are to be prepaid and nonrefundable unless the course is cancelled by the instructor. Fees include all materials.

Woodturnings that highlight the unique grain and flaws of the wood are hard to find. Maurice Clabaugh makes this niche his speciality. A self tought artisan, he manipulates the wood to accentuate each piece’s distinctiveness. Whether designing an open or closed bowl, hollow form or sculpture, Maurice takes the time to communicate with nature’s beauty. He allows the wood to ‘speak through him’ and he hopes others will appreciate the beauty he has discovered.

He refuses to fell living trees and rarely used exotic hardwoods (and then only those grown on plantations) Maurice uses wood that has been discarded by others as useless or impossible to turn. His challenge is to take these discarded pieces and reveal their beauty.

Maurice’s work has recently received several awards in juried regional are shows. He gives demonstrations and lessons for both individuals and groups.