Spindle Turning

Ashley Harwood

Learn the art of Spindle Turning with the help of Ashley Harwood. This video series begins with the fundamentals, like stance, speed, grip, tool rest position, and chucking. We'll then use those skills to create a candlestick, a sea urchin ornament with a fine finial, and an elegant table leg. This comprehensive course shows you everything you need to know in order to become a competent spindle turner.

  • 9 lessons
  • 243 min
  • $99.00

Here's what we'll cover:

  1. Introduction & Tools

    A review of the tools you’ll need for successful spindle turning.

  2. Sharpening

    Sharpening is an essential skill for wood turners.

  3. Basic Cuts

    Master the basic cuts and you’ll be making spindles in no time.

  4. candlestick

    Candlestick

    How to make an elegant candlestick.

  5. Table Leg

    Table Leg

    A large table leg is great spindle turning practice.

  6. Sea Urchin Ornament

    A beautiful and delicate ornament made from a sea urchin shell and an ebony finial.

  7. Jewelry

    Ashley turns earrings and a necklace.

  8. Student – Practice

    Dave joins us for a lesson in spindle turning.

  9. Student – Candlestick

    Dave uses his newly-learned skills to make his first candlestick. 

This video series begins with the fundamentals of spindle turning. It breaks down each cut into a simple combination of motions, addressing things like stance, speed, grip, tool rest position, and chucking. Using these cuts and techniques, we will make several projects – a candlestick, sea urchin ornament with a fine finial, and table legs. We will discuss spindle design and how to turn from a pattern or drawing to create multiples of the same design. We will also discuss ways to improve speed and work flow.

  • Basic techniques
  • Tools and Sharpening
  • Tool Control – basic cuts
  • Building Speed
  • Candlestick
  • Finial Turning
  • Turning for furniture/to a pattern
  • Sanding and Finishing
  • Jewelry making

Reviews:

Turning is not easy or natural for me, however with Ashley’s tutorials and being able to watch them repeatedly, I am gradually picking up the finer points of turning and sharpening. Her tools are excellent as well! Thanks Ashley and WWG for providing an excellent and continuing learning experience.

Michael
Guild Member

As a career teacher, I am delighted by Ashley’s teaching skills and her attention to detail. I have a long way to go as a wood turner, but her tutorials are giving me the resources I need to improve.

R. Douglas McRae
Guild Member
Read all reviews / Leave a review

About Your Instructor:

Ashley Harwood

Ashley lives in Charleston, SC, where she creates her work and teaches at her personal studio. She has demonstrated and taught woodturning in a number of professional venues throughout the US and abroad, visiting seven other countries and traveling as far as Australia. She has been featured in various publications including the American Association of Woodturning’s Journal, Woodturning magazine, Popular Woodworking magazine, and Charleston magazine. Her teaching focuses on fine spindle turning and the Push Cut method of bowl turning along with the 40/40 grind on a bowl gouge, with a strong emphasis on tool control. She received a BFA from Carnegie Mellon with a focus in sculpture and installation art, and her design aesthetic is heavily influenced by her background in glassblowing.