North House Folk School - Courses, Classes, Workshops

Spring-Pole Lathe: Build Your Own

Woodworking & Furniture Craft

John Beltman

Spring-pole lathes are reminiscent of colonial woodworking traditions and have been used for hundreds of years to create elegant chair legs, spindles, and bowls from freshly cut, rough wood stock. In it simplest form the foot-powered spring-pole lathe is both easy to operate and efficient in its operation, allowing for complete control over the turning process. In this course you work with traditional woodworking tools to build your own wood turning machine from freshly milled white pine. The course also covers the basics of wood turning. You will have the chance to split green wood into rough stock and experience a real sense of satisfaction as a piece of wood evolves into a chair stretcher, candlestick or similarly shaped object.

Students not interested in the 'Build Your Own' option may 'audit' the course and learn the basics of wood turning on a spring-pole lathe starting on day two at the adult tuition rate of $125.

Dates

No classes currently scheduled

Course Details

Length in days:

Hours:

9am-5pm

Tuition:

$255.00 per student (May 1-Oct 31)
$225.00 per student (Nov 1 - Apr 30)

Materials:

$190.00

Levels:

Intermediate

Making it happen:

When should I enroll?
We can't hold classes without students! Decisions regarding course cancellations (as related to minimum enrollment) are made three weeks before the class starts--so if you've got a course in mind, plan ahead and sign up at least three weeks in advance! That way we'll know you're coming, courses are more likely to meet minimum enrollment numbers, and then they'll actually take place.
Also watch for the words "nearly full" next to course dates. When that notation appears it means there are only one or two spots left--so sign up soon!
Do you take last minute registrations?
Of course! Although it's important that courses meet minimum enrollment three weeks before their scheduled start dates, we know that life doesn't always allow for prior planning. As long as there are still spots left in a course we're happy to accept your registration last minute.
When will new course dates be posted?
New course dates are posted both in the spring and fall to coordinate with our course catalog release dates. All the new dates are opened for enrollment on the same day and at the same time, so that everyone gets a fair crack at a spot in the courses they're interested in. As that time rolls around we announce when the new dates will "go live" in our e-newsletter. (sign up here!)