Bowl Turning Improvers Class
-
![Two men working together on a woodworking project in a workshop, using a lathe and surrounded by woodworking tools.]()
Personal Feedback
-
![Two people working on a woodworking project, shaping a wooden sphere on a lathe in a workshop.]()
Learn Good Finishing
-
![Man wearing a face shield and gray shirt using a lathe machine to carve a wooden bowl, surrounded by woodworking tools and equipment.]()
Improve Your Technique
-
![Six men wearing safety glasses and helmets in a woodworking workshop, observing a lathe machine.]()
Professionally Guided
-
![Woodworking shop with various machines and tools, including a lathe, drill press, and workbenches.]()
Fully Equipped Workshop
Bowl Turning Improvers Class 2026
Cost: £185.00 per person
This class is for turners who've already made a few bowls and want to refine their technique.
You'll need to be comfortable mounting work, using a bowl gouge, and working independently. If you've completed a beginners course and have been practising at home, this will suit you. If you're still figuring out basic cuts, come back to this one later.
Over the day, we'll cover:
Bevel angles and how they affect your cuts
Different mounting options and when to use them
Proportion and shape — why some bowls look right and others don't
Common problems (catches, torn grain, thickness issues) and how to work through them
Choosing timber and understanding how it behaves
You'll spend most of the day at the lathe, working on your own bowl with guidance as you need it. I'll be watching, offering feedback, and helping you work through anything that's not quite landing.
Groups are small — maximum four students — so there's time to focus on what each person needs to improve.
Bring your own tools if you have them, freshly sharpened. If you don't, we'll provide everything.
By the end of the day, you'll take home a bowl and a clearer sense of where your technique can tighten up.
-
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
-
![A man wearing a black helmet safety face shield and gray work jacket uses a woodworking lathe to shape a piece of wood, with wood shavings visible around.]()
Your Day Includes:
- A place on a group of up to 4 students
- Timber
- Use of machinery
- Use of Tools (You can bring your own)
- Use of any consumables or other items
- Lunch and Refreshments
- PPE and Insurance -
![Composite image of a lunch spread and a cozy restaurant interior. Top left: Sandwich with lettuce, tomato, and sides of potato salad, coleslaw, and a cherry tomato. Top right: Cup of frothy cappuccino. Bottom right: Plate of beef stew with potatoes, carrots, and greens. Bottom left: Empty wooden tables and chairs in a well-lit cafe with hanging lights and a window.]()
Timings
- 9.00am: Meet at the tills at the Garden Centre.
- 9.30am: Start to make shavings!
- 12.30pm: 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 chisels with sharpened tips, standing upright on a surface.]()
Tools Used
- 3/8″ Bowl Gouge
- 3/8″ Spindle Gouge
- Diamond Parting Tool
- Inertia Bowl Sanders
- Wood Dyes
- FinishesWe strongly recommend you bring your own freshly sharpened tools.
-
![Woodworking workshop with various machines and tools, including a lathe in the foreground, multiple CNC machines along the left wall, and a workbench on the right with hand tools and materials.]()
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.
