Woodturning Experience Day . . .

  • A wooden and gold pen resting on a metallic object with a dark background.

    Make a Slimline Pen

  • A carved wooden bowl surrounded by wood shavings on a workbench.

    Turn Your First Bowl

  • Five men wearing safety glasses and jackets in a woodworking workshop, observing a lathe machine with wood on it.

    Professionally Guided

  • Two men working with a wood lathe, one shaping a piece of wood while the other observes, both wearing protective gear including a face shield and gloves.

    Hands-On Experience

  • Woodworking workshop with various tools and machines, including a lathe, saws, and workbenches.

    Fully Equipped Workshop

Woodturning Experience Day

Cost: £170.00 per person (price rising from January 1st)

Ever wondered what it feels like to shape wood on a lathe? This is your chance to find out with no experience needed, no pressure, just a day of hands-on discovery with professional guidance and the satisfaction of making something real.

By 4pm, you'll leave with sawdust in places you didn't expect and a sense of wonder whether woodturning might be for you.

We'll meet at 9am over coffee, then head to the workshop where you'll make two projects: a wooden pen in the morning, and a shallow bowl after lunch. I'll demonstrate everything first, so you'll see how it's done before you try. This is very much an experience day where the aim is to have fun, not overwhelm you with technique and detailed explanations.

Complete beginners welcome. If you have any accessibility requirements, please let us know when you book. Questions? Drop us a line. We're happy to help. There’s a form at the bottom of the page.

WTS_016.jpg
WTS_019.jpg
WTS_038.jpg
WTS_036.jpg
WTS_042.jpg
WTS_080.jpg

    • 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 balance 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 person wearing a black helmet and face shield uses a wood lathe to carve a round piece of wood in a woodworking shop.

    Your Day Includes:

    - A place in 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

  • Collage of four photos: top left shows a sandwich with pickles, potato salad, and purple cole slaw; top right displays a cup of cappuccino; bottom left reveals a cozy cafe interior with wooden chairs and tables near a large window; bottom right features a plate of beef stew with mashed potatoes and greens.

    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 welding electrodes standing upright on a white surface.

    Tools Used

    -Spindle Roughing Gouge
    - 3/8″ Bowl Gouge
    - 3/8″ Spindle Gouge
    - Diamond Parting Tool
    - French Curve Scraper
    - Les Thorne Multi Purpose Tool
    - Inertia and Powered Bowl Sanders
    - Sanding Sealer
    - Finishing Wax
    - Finishing Oils

  • Woodworking shop with various machinery and tools, including a lathe in foreground, workbenches, and equipment along the walls.

    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.

More Woodturning Classes

Logo for Beginners Glasses, featuring 'WS' and 'The Woodturning School' text in a purple box with white lettering.
Text reading 'Intermediate + Glasses' and a logo for 'The Woodturning School' with purple and white colors.
Logo for Sunday Studio featuring a purple hand-written style font and a central square with white text that reads 'WS The Woodturning School' on a dark purple background.