Bowl Turning Experience Day . . .
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![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
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![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
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![Unfinished wooden bowl on a workbench surrounded by wood shavings and woodworking tools.]()
Turn Your First Bowl
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![Five men in a woodworking shop, all wearing protective gear like helmets and goggles, observing a lathe machine.]()
Professionally Guided
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![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
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![A woodworking shop with various machines, including a lathe in the foreground, and workbenches along the walls with woodworking tools.]()
Fully Equipped Workshop
Bowl Turning Experience Day
Cost: £180.00 per person
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 get ready to turn your first wooden bowl.
I'll guide you through how to control the tools and tease a shape from timber. You'll focus on one goal: creating your own bowl from start to finish.
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 skill, and the satisfaction of having made something yourself..
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Book up to 9 Months in advance. Bookings close 15 days before date.
Use the calendar to select the next available date of your chosen class.
Select the number of people you wish to book.
Click on the start time below the calendar, then choose 'Select and Continue’.
Add your name, mobile number and email address.
Indicate the name(s) of the person(s) coming and their level of experience.
Pay your non-refundable deposit of 30% of the booking total.
Your card details will be securely stored with the payment gateway (Stripe).After deposit payment has been made, a confirmation email will be sent to you.
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.
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
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![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.
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![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
- A deposit of 30% is required to secure your booking. This deposit is non-refundable in the event of cancellation by the client. It covers, buying materials and advertising your space in the event of cancellation.
- 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.
Meet Your Tutor
Martin Saban-Smith RPT
Martin Saban-Smith is a member of the Register of Professional Turners, author of Woodturning: Form and Formula, and founder of the Woodturning360 online community. He's been teaching woodturning since 2018 and learns something new every time he teaches a new class.
Martin’s teaching approach is patient, with room for questions, the understanding that mistakes are steps towards skill, and that learning is more process over perfection, community over competition.
Whether you're making your first cuts or refining techniques you've practised for years, he'll meet you where you are.
Visit Martin’s own website HERE.
Questions About This Class?
Drop us a line with your query about this class and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.
