North Bennet Street School

Dates: Saturday, May 17th & Sunday, May 18th (2 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Rick Angus

In this class students will get a quick refresher in fundamental chisel and gouge spindle-cutting techniques and developing an eye for making the shape desired. Using these techniques, turners cut wood efficiently and leave a smooth accurate surface in their work.

Students will learn how to use the bevel gracefully to guide the knife edge along a smooth curve and why this technique allows such smooth tool control.  Additionally, they will learn to cut a hollow in end-grain using both gouge and scraper.

Students will begin by rough cutting a blank to a cylinder and fitting a tenon to one end; the piece is then mounted in a chuck.  Next, they will shape the exterior of the bowl of the goblet with a spindle gouge. Using the outside shape as a guide, students will remove wood from the bowl with end-grain hollowing cuts using gouges and scrapers.  This is sanded and oiled and now is complete.

Students will then move to shaping the stem of the goblet.  Using the fundamental techniques of spindle turning with roughing gouge, spindle gouge, and chisel (optional), they will cut the stem spindle and shape the base. 

Students will finish with an undercut parting technique, and the goblet pops off the lathe into your hand. 

Tools & Supplies: All tools and supplies are provided for this class.

Attire: This is a general list of how to dress for the shop environment, please contact ce@nbss.edu if you have any questions. 

• Closed-toe, comfortable, and protective footwear (sneakers or boots)
• No loose clothing
• Long pants suggested
• No loose jewelry
• Long hair must be tied back

Prerequisite: Fundamental Techniques in Spindle Turning or equivalent experience (at instructor's discretion). If you have questions about prerequisite requirements, please email ce@nbss.edu.