Woodshop: Introduction to Spindle Turning (Series)

This will be a 5 class Series, 10/11/2026-11/8/2026, Sunday mornings, 9-12pm.

The primary goal for this class is to have Fun and be Safe. Since this is a skills building series, we will use various projects to give you hands-on experience with the tools, cuts and techniques used in Spindle Turning. The focus will be on learning how to use the tools to make various shapes--not the final project.

You will learn:

· How a Lathe works and the various components

· 4 Key Cuts:

• Rounding a blank
• Beads
• Coves
• V Cuts

· The 4 key Spindle Turning Tools

• Spindle Roughing Gouge
• Skew
• Spindle Gouge
• Parting Tool

· How to sharpen your tools (it's so much more important than you might think!)

· Safety protocols

· Cleanup

5 Sessions:

Session 1: Overview of the Lathe, 4 main tools and the 5 key cuts.

Session 2: Custom Slimline Pen

Session 3: Wine Stopper

Session 4: Screwdriver

Session 5: Mallet

Provided Materials:

· All wood, tools, kits, sanding and finishing supplies

· Turning smocks

· Face shields

Material Fee:

A $30 Material Fee (Cash) will be collected at the beginning of the First Session.

What you need to bring:

1. A positive attitude and willingness to learn
2. Clothes you can get grubby in – Woodturning can be a bit dusty!
3. Close-toed shoes (just in case we drop a gouge)
4. Long hair tied back (you really don’t want to have it caught up while the lathe is spinning)
5. No loose long sleeves or dangly jewelry
6. Notepad
7. Material Fee

About the instructor

Joel Albert caught the Woodturning-bug in 2007 and has been an Instructor at the Mt. Diablo Woodturning School since 2010. I am not a professional turner but love to teach and help others experience the magic of Woodturning. In addition to teaching, I have been a presenter for the Wine Country Woodturners and Bay Area Woodturning organizations.