Woodturning: Crafting a Pen
Turn your own fully functional pen
Workshop Overview
Have you ever wanted to learn how to turn a plain block of wood into something beautiful? Imants can show you how. In this workshop, you learn simple woodturning skills that will enable you to turn and craft your very own wooden pen to take home with you. This exciting workshop introduces you to the principles of using a lathe safely, care of woodworking tools, the suitability and preparation of wood for your wooden pen project and spindle turning. The wood you will use for your pen is natural and environmentally sustainable. This workshop will give you the skills to create a perfect gift, the workshop itself, also makes for a wonderful present.
What You Will Learn
During this workshop, you will:
- Follow health and safety guidance when turning and finishing wood;
- Recognise basic wood turning tools and how to use them;
- prepare wood for your wood turned project (practice piece and your wooden pen);
- Secure your work piece to a lathe safely;
- Turn your wood safely and correctly; and
- Finish your turned wood pieces to create your pen.
What You Take Home
At the end of this workshop, you will take home your practice piece and your beautifully turned and hand crafted wooden pen.
Important Details
The Rural Skills Centre will provide:
- All materials and equipment to make your wooden pen will be provided;
- Protective equipment will be available for you to use;
- Tea/Coffee and lots of cake;
- Parking; and
- Accessible facilities.
Please bring or wear:
- Leather/covered footwear (This will protect against items that you may accidentally drop);
- Long sleeved non-woollen top (Wood clippings tend to stick to wool more than synthetic fibres);
- Long hair will need to be tied back; and
- please advise us if you are sensitive to nut oils/beeswax/natural resins when booking.
Suitability
This introductory workshop is suitable for complete beginners who have a practical and enquiring mind. It is a practical hands-on workshop so a desire to have a go is essential.
Schedule
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 10:00 | Tea and biscuits on arrival, registration and welcome |
| 10:15 | Discussion on health and safety |
| 10:30 | Introduction to basic tools and machinery |
| 10:45 | Practice pieces |
| 11:15 | Tea and cake |
| 11:30 | Turning your wooden pen |
| 12:30 | Finishing touches (e.g. oil, stain, wax) |
| 13:00 | Workshop finishes |
Tutors
This workshop is taught by Imants from Immy’s Woodcraft.
