Magnus's two day woodturning course.

This is my first experience of wood turning tuition and something, which we both thoroughly enjoyed. Magnus has just spent two days in my workshop making a variety of designs. His hard work certainly came to fruition on the second day, when he completed a stunning burr elm bowl…

On the first day, I covered tool sharpening and the principles of using the gouge. After making a spalted beech tea light holder, he went on to turn a small beech bowl. This proved to be the perfect exercise, as I had an exciting idea for the second day!

I’d already put aside a lump of burr elm, which I thought looked rather special. However, the idea of making a piece with natural edges did seem a little advanced. Magnus was able to turn it perfectly, even though the grain was a little hard in places...

The finished piece, alongside his small yew vase…

He finished off by rough turning a piece of natural edge burr alder, which was given to him by a friend…