Jim Rodgers' Designs in Wood, Woodturning Classes

Jim Rodgers' Designs in Wood

Classes and Demonstrations

Jim teaches both group and individual classes. One-day group classes are scheduled at Woodcraft, Dublin, CA and extended programs are offered through the Mount Diablo School District.

Extended Training classes at Mount Diablo Adult Education
Description: The wood turning center at the Pleasant Hill California conducts extended wood turning training courses on 18 small and medium format lathes. Classes are usually 12 – 14 weeks. While all tools and safety equipment is provided, students are encouraged to bring and use their own tools. Contact Mount Diablo School District, Adult Education Division (MDAE) for schedule and registration. (925) 937-1530

Wood Turning Basics (MDAE course number 95744034)
Duration: Thirteen weeks, 3 hours per week
Requirements: Personal safety gear provided
Rate: $91.00, 9/10/2008 - 12/17/2008, (except 09/08/2008).
Description: This course introduces students to the art and processes of turning wood on the lathe. We will cover basic cuts, tools and techniques and safe lathe operations. During this course several projects will be completed such as tool handles, bud vases, pens, candlesticks, miniature three-legged stools and other between-the-centers projects selected to advance skill development. Special focus will be ion the use of the shallow fluted gouge, skew chisel and pyramid tools.

Turning Wooden Bowls (MDAE course number 95744032)
Duration: Fourteen weeks, 3 hours per week
Requirements: Personal safety gear provided
Rate: $96.00, 09/11/08 – 12/18/08.
Description: This course continues basic wood turning instruction begun with Introduction to wood turning (spindles) course. Students will turn both green wood and dry wood bowls: finished edge and natural edged, standard and thin walled. Instruction will include harvesting and preparing locally cut tree into bowl blanks. The tools of use will primarily be the deep-fluted gouge and bowl scrapers.

Wood Turning Projects (MDAE course number 95744046)
Duration: Fourteen weeks, 3 hours per week
Requirements: Personal safety gear provided
Rate: $96.00, 09/11/08 – 12/18/08.
Description: This course is for intermediate wood turners to begin and complete projects that continue to advance their turning skills. Projects will be selected from a list of planned projects or from project proposed by the students. Each project will advance the turning skills.

One day training classes offered at Woodcraft, Dublin CA. For schedule of upcoming classes Contact Woodcraft at (925) 875-9988.

Introduction to Wood Lathes (Turning 101)
Duration: One full day.
Requirements: None.
Rate: Contact Woodcraft, Dublin CA for schedule, costs, and reservations.
Description: A beginning course in the safe use of the wood lathe and its tools including completion of a bud vase project.

Turning Finished-Edge Bowls
Duration: One full day.
Requirements: Completion of basic lathe skills training.
Rate: Contact Woodcraft, Dublin CA for schedule, costs, and reservations.
Description: A beginning course on the use of the bowl gouge by turning a finished edge dry wood bowl using both a scroll chuck and a jam chuck.

Turning Natural-Edge Bowls
Duration: One full day.
Requirements: Completion of basic lathe skills training, and experience in turning finished-edged bowls.
Rate: Contact Woodcraft, Dublin CA for schedule, costs, and reservations.
Description: An intermediate course on bowl turning focusing on proper mounting, centering, adjusting and thin wall turning.

Introduction to Pen Turning
Duration: Half day.
Requirements: Basic wood lathe skills.
Rate: Contact Woodcraft, Dublin CA for schedule, costs, and reservations.
Description: An introduction to turning wood pens from purchased kits. Focus will be on the steps, tools and process.

Intermediate Pen Turning
Duration: Half day.
Requirements: Basic wood lathe skills.
Rate: Contact Woodcraft, Dublin CA for schedule, costs, and reservations.
Description: Turning a European style pen including discussion of alternative materials, and construction of unique pen blanks for turning.

Making Hollow Christmas Ornaments
Duration: Two day.
Requirements: Basic wood lathe skills.
Rate: Contact Woodcraft, Dublin CA for schedule, costs, and reservations.
Description: A two-day course focused on making hollow ornaments with small detailed finials. The first day will focus on making the necessary tools for hollowing small ornament balls. The second day will cover making the ornaments including hollowing, turning finials, and assembling.

Using the Skew Chisel
Duration: Half day.
Requirements: Intermediate turning skills.
Rate: Contact Woodcraft, Dublin CA for schedule, costs, and reservations.
Description: A course focused on developing specific skills in mastering the five basic cuts of the skew chisel. Course will also discuss sharpening and honing techniques.

Sharpening Lathe Tools
Duration: Half day.
Requirements: Basic wood lathe skills and lots of dull turning tools.
Rate: Contact Woodcraft, Dublin CA for schedule, costs, and reservations.
Description: A hands-on sharpening course for all lathe tools in routine use. Jigs, fixtures and hand sharpening methods will be demonstrated and tried by the participants.