Wood Turning 101

Ever wondered how people make bowls, plates, posts, spindles, and more out of wood? These items were probably made on a lathe through a process called wood turning, and in Wood Turning 101 you can learn how to do this yourself! This introductory class, limited to just five students max, gives you the opportunity to see and try wood turning first hand. This course is an instructor led seminar and will not have a finished project, but will help you learn introductory techniques for selecting wood, sharpening tools, and how to turn properly and safely. What you’ll Learn: In this class, you’ll learn: Lathe setup and operation Tool types and options Safety – Lathe, Grinder, and Personal How to properly sharpen turning tools on a grinder Selecting and preparing wood for turning Workpiece orientation, placement, and “holding” Turning techniques, especially for making small and shallow projects Instructor Bio: Aaron Gesicki is a Professional Metallurgical Engineer who has been turning projects on lathes for over 40 years. He is a long-time member of the American Association of Woodturners (AAW) and serves as the President of the Coulee Region Woodturners (AAW affiliated) club. His projects have been displayed at several of the AAW International Woodturning Symposia and he will be part of the videography team at the 2027 AAW Symposium in Oklahoma City.