New Woodturning Skills Clinics Now Available in Tralee, Co Kerry

I try to constantly improve the tuition options available in my workshop and offer something a little different from other woodturning teachers in Ireland.

Over the years I’ve found that while a full tuition session is the best way to learn woodturning properly, sometimes a student simply needs help with one specific skill or a follow on course in one particular area.

Maybe you want to improve your sharpening technique. Maybe your sanding isn’t giving the finish you want. Maybe your bandsaw isn’t behaving the way it should.

Sometimes it’s simply a question of tools and approach. I’ve written about that mindset before in my post Why More Tools Didn’t Make Me a Better Woodturner.

Sometimes I can cover these things during a regular tuition session, but time can be against you when you're trying to learn several things at once.

That’s where my new Woodturning Skills Clinics come in.

Real workshop problems, practical solutions.

These are shorter, focused sessions designed to tackle specific skills in a practical and efficient way. You come along for an intensive session, learn the techniques properly, and then return to your own workshop to put what you’ve learned into practice.

Most of these clinics are aimed at people who already have some turning experience and want to improve particular aspects of their work.

Woodturning Skills Clinics

I now offer a range of focused two-hour sessions covering common areas where woodturners often run into problems. If you don’t have the time for a full class, these shorter sessions are a practical way to improve specific skills.

If you’re still unsure about taking a lesson at all, I’ve written about that in my post Woodturning, “I Don’t Need a Lesson”, where I look at some of the decisions people make early on.

🔧 Tool Sharpening & Maintenance Workshop

Sharp tools transform woodturning, making it safer and far more enjoyable.

In this dedicated sharpening session we look at how to grind, shape and maintain turning tools correctly so they cut cleanly and predictably.

You are encouraged to bring your own tools so we can examine them together and sharpen them properly while you learn the techniques. If you use a different sharpening system, you’re welcome to bring that along for advice.

We also cover wheel care, jigs, and general sharpening setup advice so you can maintain your tools confidently at home. Questions are welcome at any stage during the session.

If you’d like to learn how to keep your tools cutting properly, you can read more about the Tool Sharpening & Maintenance Workshop here.

🔪 Proper Sanding Techniques for Woodturners

Sanding is often the most misunderstood part of woodturning, and when done incorrectly it can lead to frustration in your finished pieces.

In this session we focus on correct sanding technique, grit progression, and avoiding the common mistakes that lead to poor finishes.

You are encouraged to bring along pieces you are proud of, as well as pieces that didn’t work out as expected. Looking at real examples makes it much easier to identify what went wrong and how to fix it.

The aim is to help you develop a sanding routine that produces reliable results every time.

If you’d like to improve your sanding results and eliminate those frustrating scratches that appear after finishing, you can read more about the Proper Sanding Techniques for Woodturners clinic session.

🎨 Finishing & Polishing Masterclass

A good finish can completely transform a piece of woodturning. A bad finish can be spotted a mile away.

This class focuses on finishing products, polishing techniques and achieving a high-quality surface on your work.

We’ll look at waxes, oils, buffing systems and other finishing methods that I use regularly in my own workshop.

You are encouraged to bring along a few of your own pieces so we can discuss finishing options and improve the final presentation of your work.

If you’d like to learn how to achieve a cleaner, more professional finish on your work, you can read more about the Finishing & Polishing Masterclass.

⚙️ Getting the Most from Your Bandsaw

The bandsaw is one of the most useful machines in any woodturner’s workshop, but it often doesn’t perform as well as it should and can be dangerous if used incorrectly.

This session covers practical bandsaw setup and use including:

• cutting bowl blanks safely

• dealing with drift and alignment issues

• basic maintenance and cleaning

• choosing the right blade

• useful jigs and workshop tips

This clinic is open to both woodturners and anyone who owns a bandsaw and wants to use it more effectively.

If you’d like to improve the performance of your bandsaw and get more accurate cuts in the workshop, you can read more about the Getting the Most from Your Bandsaw clinic session.

🧠 Woodturning Issues & Skills Clinic

Every woodturner runs into problems sooner or later. If they’re not addressed, they can easily become part of your routine without you realising.

Maybe a tool isn’t cutting properly. Maybe your finish isn’t working. Maybe a technique simply isn’t behaving the way you expected.

Sometimes it only takes a small demonstration of a particular technique, done the correct way, to stamp out bad habits and change your routine.

This clinic is designed to help solve those problems.

Bring along your tools, your projects, or simply your questions and we’ll work through them together in a practical hands-on session.

If you’d like help solving specific problems or improving your turning techniques, you can read more about the Woodturning Issues & Skills Clinic.

🪵 Guided Woodturning Project

This session is currently being finalised and is expected to be available in April or May.

This clinic focuses on completing a small project while improving turning control and technique.

The project will initially be based around a honey dipper, although similar spindle projects may be used depending on the session.

The goal is not just to produce the item itself, but to improve tool control, shaping accuracy, and finishing techniques that you can apply to other projects in your own workshop.

Some turning experience is recommended for this session so we can focus on improving technique rather than covering basic tool use.

If you’d like to develop better spindle turning control while completing a small project, you can read more about the Guided Woodturning Project clinic session.

Short Sessions That Fit Around Your Workshop

All of these clinics are two-hour sessions, designed to give you practical guidance without needing to commit to a full day of tuition.

They are particularly useful for people who have already attended a class and want help improving specific areas of their turning. If you prefer a longer session, my private woodturning tuition is still available, where we can cover these topics in more detail alongside time at the lathe.

You can bring your own tools or projects along so we can work with real examples rather than just theory.

The idea is simple.

Learn the technique properly, then go back to your own workshop and apply it straight away.

Private Woodturning Tuition

If you are completely new to woodturning, or want to learn the craft in a structured way, my Private Woodturning Tuition sessions are the best place to start.

These one-to-one sessions cover:

• correct tool use

• sharpening basics

• sanding and finishing

• workshop safety

• turning small projects

The pace is relaxed and everything is explained step by step so you leave with the confidence to continue turning at home.

Woodturning Experiences

For those looking for a memorable day in the workshop, I also run Woodturning Experiences. for small groups but I also run single person Ornament Making Plus Experiences.

These sessions are ideal as gifts or for anyone who wants to try woodturning for the first time in a friendly and welcoming environment.

You’ll spend time at the lathe learning the basics and creating a small turned piece to take home with you.

They make a great introduction to the craft and are always a popular gift option.

Interested in a Session?

If one of these clinics sounds useful, or if you’d like to book a tuition session, simply check date availability on my Tuition Calendar and get in touch through the Contact Page on my website.

I normally reply within a couple of hours and I’m always happy to help you decide which session will suit you best.

Woodturning is a craft that rewards patience and practice, and sometimes a short focused session can make all the difference.

If you’re unsure which session would suit you best, you can also take a look at my Woodturning Guides & Articles where I cover many of these topics in more detail.

I look forward to welcoming you to the workshop.

Thanks for Reading,

David

About the Author

I’m David Condon, a woodturner and small business owner based in Tralee, Co. Kerry. I’ve been working with wood for most of my life at this stage — 11 years as a carpenter and over a decade running my own woodturning business.

Over the years, I’ve learned that woodturning is as much about patience and problem-solving as it is about tools and technique. I work mainly with Irish hardwoods, teach woodturning full-time, and spend most days learning something new in the workshop myself. On this site, I share the same practical knowledge I pass on to my students, shaped by experience, mistakes, and time spent at the lathe. If you’re interested in learning in person, I offer woodturning lessons in Tralee, with details available on my Woodturning Tuition page.

© David Condon Woodcraft – All Rights Reserved.

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More Woodturning Pages to Explore​

● Hampshire Sheen - Fine Finishing products that will highlight your project pieces

● Hamlet Tools - Fantastic Woodturning Tools from a well trusted brand

● Woodcraft Hub - View my woodcraft creations for inspiration of gift buying.

● Sanding Essentials - Essential sanding products for Woodturners & Woodworkers.

● Woodturning Blanks - A fine range of Hardwood Spindle Blanks & a few Bowl Blanks too!

● Woodturning Pen Blanks - A huge assortment of Acrylic & Irish Hardwood Pen Blanks.

● Crafter's Haven – A vast range of craft supplies for crafters and gift givers!

Original content © David Condon Woodcraft — Written by David Condon. Please credit and link if shared.