Finewood - Tuition

Woodturning Tuition in Suffolk

Notice

Instead of retiring completely, as I had indicated, and disappointing traders and students, I hope to continue both on a reduced scale. I so enjoy meeting new customers and easing students into the absorbing and challenging pastime of woodturning. Just phone or e-mail me to discuss how I can help.

Happy turning to you all.

Albert

One day of 1-1 Wood turning tuition, available 7 days a week. Primarily devoted to practical experience with the aim for the student to complete a number of turned products. Along the way, covering safety, characteristics of different timbers and choice of tools, machines and sources of supply.

Tutor

Albert Lain; experienced and qualified teacher keen to impart his enthusiasm and skills.

Courses Available

Introduction
A days introduction. Learning how to safely apply the tools to rotating timber. Included will be working between centres, use of Roughing Gouge, Spindle Gouge, and parting tool. After lunch, the use of self-centring chucks, boring on lathes and Jam fitting. Suitable for someone considering the hobby, just starting to turn, or just interested and looking for an absorbing day.
Intermediate
A logical progression from course A but focused on Headstock work and increasing the diameter of the material to be turned. Use of screw chuck to turn a shallow bowl, and then a deeper small bowl with either a turned top edge or natural edge. Method of removing all indication of how it was secured to the lathe.
Experienced
In development at present, but either increasing diameter and/or depth of product, or experience in successfully turning freshly cut timber. Awareness of other methods such as split turning, duplicate turning, coopered work, long hole boring, lattice work, off centre turning. Just where do we stop? This can easily get out of hand...

The Workshop

A heated wood turning workshop with many lathes and good dust extraction. Always some interesting other work in progress. Attached to our home and looking out to the garden and across fields.

The Cost

Courses A and B: £175 9am-4pm, all materials and tools included
Course C: £225 9am-4pm, all materials and tools included

Preparation

Discussion before the day about experience so far and what you would like to achieve. Guidance on what to wear. Invitation to bring any existing tools and safety equipment to wear.

What Next?

Phone or email to discuss how I can help, and if you wish, to determine a mutually convenient date.

I will need your postal address to enable me to send a pre-course preparation document and to include a brief questionnaire about your experience, if any, so far.
If you would like to make a days tuition as a gift to a friend or partner, request a copy of our Gift Voucher. Warn me if you wish it to be conveyed confidentially for a birthday or Christmas surprise.

If you have been on one or more of these day courses, I would appreciate any comments you may have to help me improve and refine how and what I do. Please use the comments page on my site or let me know by phone, email, or letter.

64 comments

Andy Smith - 3rd February 2023

Andy - 2nd February 2023

I went to Albert as a complete novice having last used a lathe at school over 50 years ago. Albert was very clear on his instruction and help with how to use the lathe and tools. We discussed how to make sure you work in a safe environment. Albert has so much knowledge and happy to pass it on and make sure you understand what you are doing.
Coming away from the 1.1 lesson with my own bowl and handle was a great confidence boost. Both Albert and his wife Sheila made me most welcome and kept the tea flowing. Many thanks for a great day.
Linda - 19th January 2023

Where are you based please. Interested for my husband.
Sarah - 7th December 2022

I can thoroughly recommend the 1:1 introduction day I attended at Albert's workshop. The welcome was exemplary, the workshop was incredibly well equipped and Albert certainly took account of any potential health and safety issues. I was given Albert's undivided attention and support, which was tailored to my level of knowledge and skills. I learnt about the safe use of the lathe, different turning techniques and tools. I felt very satisfied that, with support, I was able to turn a handle for a steak knife and take home a completed knife. Albert showed great flexibility in his approach by taking the time to work out how it would be possible to turn the dolls I was interested in making. I certainly achieved my aims for the day and a lot more. On top of all this there was a plentiful supply of cakes, biscuits and cups of tea and some printed resources to take away at the end of the day!
Crispin White - 14th November 2022

My brother and I spent the day with Albert last week. We both had had some goes at wood turning previously. You can tell Albert is a great teacher as he moved us through his steps at the right pace for both of us.
I made a couple of mistakes and he not only corrected them, but then showed me what I was doing wrong and waited until I could do it right.
My brother and I learnt so much and we produced two beautiful pieces.
It was a great day.
Thank you Albert for looking after us so well and teaching us so much.
Hope to see you in Feb
Crispin
Ruth - 6th November 2022

A genuine warm welcome from Albert and Sheila. If you are considering taking up Woodturning I very much recommend you consider some lessons with Albert. You will not only benefit from his years of experience and knowledge of the trade, you will be taught by someone who knows how to teach.
And… come away with two very nice items you can be proud of.
Peter Bushell - 13th October 2022

My daughters kindly gifted me a day's tuition with Albert for my 65th birthday, as taster for a possible retirement hobby. I'd expressed an interest and had visited craft shops and spoken to a turner I met in North Yorkshire. None of this had prepared me for my day with Albert, He was inspirational!!
As I entered the workshop and saw the range of equipment, tools and samples of his work I could see that I was in the presence of a Master Craftsman. As we talked, I was taken aback by the work he had undertaken and the level of quality he displayed.
With his expert guidance and patience, he taught me the basic skills and understanding of the tools and techniques which allowed me to take home two pieces of work that I'd turned myself!!
Thank you so much Albert for the experience, hopefully I will go on to further develop my skills and enjoy this wonderful craft.
Darren Andrews - 5th October 2022

What an extraordinary day. Programmes such as The Repair Shop are followed simply because it is a joy to watch a truly skilled craftsperson ply their trade. Albert is every bit the expert and his years as a teacher shine through. To be in the company of such a skilled technician and able communicator are a real privilege; I came away with the real feeling that I had and could achieve a great deal.
I cannot recommend a day in the company of Albert enough. This was a birthday present to me and I had a wonderful day, not only did I have the experience, but came away with some pieces of turning of which I am truly proud.

Start
Prev

Write your testimonial here. PLEASE DO NOT USE THIS TO SEND A CONTACT MESSAGE (no message is sent) - if you would like to send Albert a message, please see the CONTACT US page to use an email or other form of contact. Thank you!