Introduction to Hollowing
turning The Unseen
£185 per person | Fridays or Saturdays | Maximum 4 students
There's something different about hollowing. Unlike bowls or platters, where you can see your progress with every pass, hollow forms ask you to work with what you can't see. You shape the invisible. And that's where it gets interesting and inuitive.
When I first started hollowing, I wanted to control everything. I measured constantly, checked obsessively, and still managed to go through walls more times than I'd like to admit. But the more I practised, the more I realised that the best results came from combining both: listening to the wood and measuring with purpose. Hollowing teaches patience. It teaches trust. And it rewards both.
We'll turn one practice piece to experience the tools in use and then work towards completing a piece roughly 4x5” in size. The aim is to get it finished, but in reality, it is more likely we will finish the day with a mostly completed piece you can take home to finish in your own time. There’s no sense rushing something you have worked hard on all day!
Who is this Class for?
This class is for turners who already have some experience at the lathe.
You should be comfortable with basic bowl turning and confident using a spindle gouge and bowl gouge and holding work between centres.
If you've completed our Two Day Beginners class or have equivalent experience in your own workshop, you're ready for this.
It's also ideal if you've tried hollowing at home and found yourself going through walls, struggling with tool control, or simply wanting someone to watch over your shoulder and offer guidance. Sometimes having a second pair of eyes makes all the difference
This is not a beginners class.
Your Tutor - Martin Saban-Smith RPT
Martin has been teaching turning wood since 2018, bringing a photographer's eye for proportion and form to the lathe. 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.
What's Included?
Everything you need for the day: all timber, tools, consumables, safety equipment, lunch and refreshments. Just bring yourself and comfortable clothes you don't mind getting a bit dusty although smocks are available to wear.
Tools Used
-Spindle Roughing Gouge - 3/8″ Bowl Gouge - 3/8″ Spindle Gouge - Drill and Jacobs Chuck -
- Diamond Parting Tool - Les Thorne Multi Purpose Tool -
- Simon Hope Carbide Hollowing Tools -
- Sanding Sealer - Finishing Wax - Finishing Oils -
What You'll Learn
Throughout the day, you'll learn how to select and prepare timber suitable for hollow forms, and how to drill pilot holes that guide your depth safely. We'll work through the differences between straight and swan-neck hollowing tools, when to reach for each one, and how to use them with control. You'll develop sensitivity to the subtle cues that matter most in hollowing: the change in sound as walls thin, the shift in vibration, the feel of thickness beneath your fingertips.
You'll practise working from the top down, removing small amounts at a time, and clearing debris safely as you go. We'll cover how to check your progress without over-measuring, trusting your senses as much as your callipers. And once the inside is sorted, you'll finish the exterior of your hollow form, completing a piece you can take home.
What To Expect On the Day of Your Lesson at The Woodturning School
If you have queries, please check the FAQs
Book Your Place
Booking your place is simple. The calendar shows the next available date.
Click the date, then click the time. Then fill in some details and pay the deposit. We’ll look after the rest for you.
The day
9am: Meet at the Garden Centre Coffeeshop
9.30am: Workshop begins
12.30pm: Lunch at the Coffeeshop (included)
1.00pm: Workshop continues
2.30pm: Coffee break
4pm: Finish and tidy.
Included: All timber, tools, consumables, safety equipment, lunch, refreshments, your pen and platter to take home.
Payments
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.
Queries?
Before contacting us, please take a moment to check our FAQs. You'll often find the answer you're looking for is already there.