Will Woodturning Tuition Benefit me?

I’m sure there are many people out there who wonder if there’s really any value in attending a woodturning course or tuition session. I know, because I was one of them — a procrastinator who put it off for far too long. Looking back, it cost me dearly in time, frustration, and missed progress by not reaching out sooner to a professional.

So why take woodturning tuition, and how can it actually benefit you? In this post, I’ll share a few key points from both sides of the lathe — as a long-time woodturner and as a teacher who’s seen hundreds of students go through the same learning curve.

Starting to Turn an Ash Ornamen

Many People Choose to go it Alone

When I first started turning, I was one of those people who thought they knew it all. I didn’t. I made every mistake imaginable — buying the wrong lathe, using a poor-quality grinder without proper attachments, relying on cheap turning tools, and fighting endless tear-out and finishing problems.

The truth is, I simply didn’t know any better, and there was nobody around to tell me I was wrong or to show me the right way. YouTube didn’t exist, and the internet was still in its infancy. I was told to find a local woodturner for lessons, but I ignored that advice and as a result, I struggled unnecessarily for years.

Woodturning Tuition is Expensive

It’s true that woodturning tuition costs money and that’s probably the biggest reason people don’t seek help early on. For some, the cost feels higher than they’re comfortable parting with, so they put it off and end up struggling for another year or two, wasting both time and money in the process.

I made plenty of mistakes over the years buying tools and equipment that were never really needed or were under-used. I spent thousands of euro that could have been better invested elsewhere. Today, I use that hard-earned experience to help my students avoid those same traps — showing them what not to buy and why. I guide each student toward lathes and tools that will serve them well for years to come.

Many of my Students are already heading down the path of buying the wrong gear when they come to me. If they follow my advice they end up saving a lot of money and progressing as Woodturners much faster than going it alone. If a single private Tuition Session is too expensive for you, you can always book a 2 person Tuition Session and split the cost with a friend. I am in the process of adding Bowl Turning Classes which I will link to here as soon as I am ready.

Still Deciding If Woodturning Is for You?

If you're sitting on the fence, I have several blog posts that can help you decide or fill in the grey areas before you make your choice. After reading this post, you might like to read my post Is Woodturning a Good Hobby? — it covers the early questions many people have before committing to the craft.

I also created a post about What to Expect on Your First Day of Tuition to streamline the process and take away any worries that new students might have before stepping up to the lathe.

Advancing Your Abilities

This is one that many Students don't consider at all. By attending a Woodturning Tuition session you can lay a good foundation for going forward and cut your learning curve considerably. Had I taken a lesson or three back in the early days, who knows how much further I could have gone in the Woodturning World. Maybe I could have been internationally renowned, who knows.

We all stand on the shoulders of those who came before us when it comes to knowledge and experience so there is no need to go it alone. Reach out to a Woodturner and just go for that first lesson. Everything is easier after that. Once that is over you will see the benefits immediately and it won't be long before you are booking your second session.

YouTube is not a great Teacher

Watching YouTube videos can be great for new Woodturners and you may pick up some great advice along the way but they are definitely not the same as attending a live Tuition session. Videos need to be properly laid out so nothing is missed along the way in explaining processes. I have tried to make YouTube videos myself but I don't have the patience to plan and execute them into propper teaching tools.

I personally find my videos to be lacking and I hate rewatching them once uploaded. As soon as the camera starts recording I forget bits of what I need to say and I can gloss over or miss some important points. In my Tuition sessions, I can go into more detail on certain points and the Student can ask questions related to any subject that peaks their interest. You can ask questions in the comments of a YouTube video but you may not get an answer.

These videos can also contain a lot of 'fluff' too in the form of chats, segways and shout outs instead of cutting to the quick and dealing with the topic in hand. This always annoyed me when I was learning which is why my own videos are almost always quick and to the point. I have added new videos to my Woodturning Tuition and Woodturning Experiences if you'd like to see samples of my more recent efforts.

So, will Woodturning Tuition Benefit me?

Absolutely!! The paragraphs above should have explained several great reasons for taking a Woodturning Class but I will bullet point them here for you.

• You will Save Money

• You will Save Time

• You will Advance faster

• You will buy the right gear

• You will be Turning longer into the Future

• You will be Safer Turning as a result!

How Many Classes do I Need?

For my own teaching classes, I now recommend students take between one and three sessions, starting with a 4-hour lesson. I also have a 5-hour option, if you’d prefer a more in-depth or intensive session.

I usually suggest having your own lathe by the time of your second session (if you don’t already) so you can spend a month or two experimenting and applying what you’ve learned in your own workshop. Then, book a third session and come back to me with your questions, problems, or new challenges.

You’ll have them — I know this from experience.

This roughly translates to between €150 and €300 for weekday sessions and more if you choose the Saturday sessions option. I guarantee you will save about 3 times that amount in your first year alone. I do have some that come back to me more than 3 times but that is entirely up to the individual and Students are welcome back anytime for refreshers or more advanced work.

Conclusion

Don't procrastinate. Don't worry about the cost of Tuition. Don't be shy when it comes time to book. Just go for it and be happy with the fact that it will be of great benefit to you going forward as a Woodturner.

I specialise in low Teacher to Student ratio Sessions of short duration where I cram as much as possible into 3 hours instead of you having to attend full day courses with groups of strangers as with other Woodturners. If 3 Hours is too short, you can extend to 4 and 5 Hour sessions if you wish.

Thanks for reading and I hope to see you in my Workshop in Tralee real soon! 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.

During that time, I’ve worked with Irish hardwoods, taught woodturning, and run my workshop full-time. On this site, I share the same knowledge I pass on to my students — from choosing the right wood and tools to finishing techniques that make every project shine.

I also stock a carefully chosen range of turning blanks, tools, and craft supplies that I use every day in my own work. You can explore more of my handcrafted pieces and classes at DavidCondonWoodcraft.ie.

© David Condon Woodcraft – All Rights Reserved.

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More Woodturning Pages to Explore​

• Woodturning Tuition - Get started on the right path to Woodturning in Ireland!

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

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

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

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