Bowl Turning Experience Day

Arrive at 9am for a coffee at the garden centre. At 9:30 you head to the workshop, take your place at the lathe, and sense that today will be different as you’re about to turn your first wooden bowl.

Under the expert eye of Martin Saban-Smith, you’ll learn how to control the tools and tease a shape from timber. You’ll focus on one exciting goal: creating your very own bowl from start to finish. As you turn, the wood peels away and you will watch the shape emerge from beneath the tool. If time allows, you’ll add your own touches of colour, texture or detail to make it uniquely yours.

Lunch brings a welcome break — good food, conversation, and a chance to recharge. Then it’s back to the lathe for more turning, refining, sanding, and finishing.

Everything’s organised to let you dive in: the timber, tools, safety gear, and groups stay small so Martin can guide you closely at every step. The day usually wraps up around 4:00 pm (though we may stretch a little to make sure you complete your bowl).

By the end of the day you won’t just leave with a bowl — you’ll leave with confidence, a new hands-on skill, and the thrill of having achieved something real and lasting.

Bowl Turning Experience Day . . .

  • A person wearing safety goggles, a face shield, and a hoodie uses a lathe machine to shape a piece of wood or material in a workshop.

    Learn to use Turner's Gouges

  • Four people in a workshop wearing safety helmets, gathered around a lathe machine with wood shavings. One person is operating the lathe while others observe.

    Each Cut Demonstrated

  • Unfinished wooden bowl on a workbench surrounded by wood shavings and woodworking tools.

    Turn Your First Bowl

  • Five men in a woodworking shop, all wearing protective gear like helmets and goggles, observing a lathe machine.

    Professionally Guided

  • Two men working on a woodturning lathe, shaping a piece of wood. One man wears a cap and glasses, the other wears a protective face shield. Sawdust surrounds them.

    Hands-On Experience

  • A woodworking shop with various machines, including a lathe in the foreground, and workbenches along the walls with woodworking tools.

    Fully Equipped Workshop

  • Book up to 9 Months in advance. Bookings close 15 days before date.

    1. Use the calendar to select the next available date of your chosen class.

    2. Select the number of people you wish to book.

    3. Click on the start time below the calendar, then choose 'Select and Continue’.

    4. Add your name, mobile number and email address.

    5. Indicate the name(s) of the person(s) coming and their level of experience.

    6. Pay your non-refundable deposit of 30% of the booking total.
      Your card details will be securely stored with the payment gateway (Stripe).

    7. After deposit payment has been made, a confirmation email will be sent to you.

    8. Fourteen Days before the day, we will remind you that we will take your between 10 and 14 days before the class using the stored card details. A receipt will be sent.

    9. You will receive your final joining instructions five days before the day. If you booked for someone else, please make sure you forward these details to them.

More Information

  • A man working in a woodworking shop, carefully shaping a piece of wood on a lathe machine, wearing protective glasses and a helmet.

    Your Day Includes:

    - A place on a group of up to 5 students
    - Timber
    - Use of machinery
    - Use of Tools (You can bring your own)
    - Use of any consumables or other items
    - Lunch at the onsite coffee shop
    - Refreshments
    - PPE and Insurance

  • A collage of four images: a plate with a sandwich, a bowl of frothy beverage, an empty restaurant with wooden tables and chairs, and a plated meal with meat, potatoes, and vegetables.

    Timings

    - 9.00am: Meet at the Tree House Coffee Shop at the Garden Centre.
    - 9.30am: Start to make shavings!
    - 12.30pm: Back to the coffee shop for lunch
    - 1.00pm: More shavings to complete the project pieces
    - 4.00pm: End of the day, sweep and tidy.

    The day may run over to give everyone time to finish their pieces.

  • Close-up of four metal industrial cutting blades, each with a different shape and wear pattern, standing upright.

    Tools Used

    - 3/8″ Bowl Gouge
    - 3/8″ Spindle Gouge
    - Diamond Parting Tool
    - French Curve Scraper
    - Inertia Bowl Sanders
    - Sanding Sealer
    - Finishing Wax
    - Finishing Oils

  • Woodworking shop with various machines, workbenches, and tools. The foreground features a blue lathe, and the background shows saws, drills, and other woodworking equipment.

    Payment, Changes & Cancellations

    - 30% Non-refundable deposit due at time of booking.
    - Amendments can be made up to 14 days before date for £10 admin fee.
    - Cancelling within 14 days will forfeit all monies paid.
    - Click HERE for full terms and conditions.

Logo with the text 'Experience Days' in cursive and 'WS The Woodturning School' in a purple square.

More Woodturning Classes

Logo for Beginners Glasses, featuring a purple square with white text reading "WS The Woodturning School."
Logo of The Woodturning School with handwritten text 'Intermediate + Glazers' above.
Logo for Sunday Studio, part of The Woodturning School, with a black background and purple text.