Skew and Spindle Gouge Course with Les Thorne, Hampshire
Time to Befriend the Chisel!
£185 per person | Saturday | Maximum 5 students
The skew chisel has a fearsome reputation. Les Thorne has spent 25 years using it daily as a production turner, and it's his most-used tool. This class is about changing your relationship with this oft-worried-about tool.
You'll learn planing cuts, peeling cuts, V-cuts, and beads (with the spindle gouge). You'll understand why catches happen and how to avoid them. Les will be right beside you, seeing the subtle things that cause problems. Sometimes all it takes is a slight adjustment in angle or pressure.
By the end of the day, the skew won't feel like something to avoid. It'll feel like a tool you understand.
Who Is This Class For?
Spindle turners who've avoided the skew. Perhaps it caught once and you've been nervous ever since. That's understandable. This class breaks down the mystery.
Self-taught turners with ingrained habits. Sometimes what feels natural isn't quite right. A day with Les can identify and correct those small issues before they become permanent.
Anyone ready to refine their spindle work. Even if you're reasonably confident, there's always more to learn. Les has 25 years of production experience behind him.
Production-curious turners who want efficient techniques. If you want to turn faster without sacrificing quality, this is how.
Your Tutor - Les thorne RPT
Les has been on the Register of Professional Turners since 2001. He took the old school route into the craft: years of production work and the simple discipline of visualise the shape, then turn the shape. He's turned columns for houses, candlesticks for churches, staircase spindles — no job too small or too large.
Les runs his production business from The Woodturning School workshop and occasionally teaches classes here. His approach is direct and practical, shaped by decades of making things that actually have to work.
Les’ own website is HERE
What You'll Learn
You'll learn the core skew cuts: planing, peeling, and V-cuts. You'll practise beads with the spindle gouge. You'll understand the geometry of these tools and why they behave the way they do. Most importantly, you'll get hands-on practice with an expert watching and correcting in real time.
Tools Used
- Spindle Roughing Gouge - Skew Chisel - 3/8″ Spindle Gouge -
- Diamond Parting Tool -
We recommend you bring your own freshly sharpened tools if you have them.
What To Expect On the Day of Your Lesson at The Woodturning School
If you have queries, please check the FAQs
The day
9am: Meet at the Garden Centre Coffeeshop
9.30am: Workshop begins
12.00pm: Lunch at the Coffeeshop (included)
12.30pm: Carry on
2.00pm: Coffee break
4pm: Finish and tidy.
Included: All timber, tools, consumables, safety equipment, lunch, refreshments, your pieces to take home.
Book Your Place
Booking your place is simple. You can book up to 9 months ahead, and the calendar opens on the next class, so click through it to see later dates and how many places are left. Click the date, then the time, fill in your details and pay the 30 per cent deposit. We’ll look after the rest for you.
If a date is fully booked, click ‘JOIN WAITLIST’. It’s free, and if a place comes up we’ll text you a link to book it. As places aren’t guaranteed, you may want to book the next available date as well and move your booking if a waitlist place comes up. Find out how the waitlist works, HERE
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 the date for a £10 admin fee. Cancelling within 14 days will forfeit all monies paid. Click HERE for full terms and conditions.
Dates for 2027:
Saturday 30th Jan, Saturday 17th July, Saturday 16th October.