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THE ELLSWORTH SCHOOL OF WOODTURNING 1378 Cobbler Rd., Quakertown, PA 18951 Tel/Fax: 215-536-5298 Dear Fellow Woodturner, I established these three-day workshops in 1990 to help students of all ages and skill levels achieve their maximum potential in woodturning.The focus of these workshops is to help students gain both experience and confidence as they explore the process of making open bowls and hollow vessels. Classes are limited to five students so that the specific needs of each individual can be addressed. We'll be working with fresh-cut logs, taken right from my property. The techniques used for working 'green' and 'dry' woods are basically the same, except that green wood is much easier to cut and a lot more fun to work with. Also, if we accidentally 're-design' a bowl while making it, it's no problem to put on another log and start again...all of which makes the learning process that much more enjoyable.

Basic and advanced applications of both traditional and non-traditional tool design; ergonomics of tool handle design; principles of sharpening; foam-back sanding; reverse chucking with jam chucks; vacuum chucks; finishing; object photography, the basic lathe design and, of course, safety. Also methods of work, which includes good body positions to help correct old habits and prevent fatigue.

Particular emphasis will be placed on "seeing" the bowl in the log, mounting the wood on the lathe with various chucking systems, refining tool usage to achieve maximum efficiency and control, designing the bowl from the log.

Most of my students are at the beginner-to-intermediate level. However, one's skill level is of little importance since we all work together in sharing and expanding our skills during this learning experience. Food is also important, and we serve three home-cooked healthy and hearty meals each day at no extra charge.

The school is located at my private home and studio situated on 20 acres of wooded property in Buck's County, near Quakertown, Pennsylvania.

DETAILS, DETAILS, DETAILS

TUITION: $700.00 - Price includes three days of hands-on, comprehensive instruction with David Ellsworth, PLUS three home-cooked meals daily.

LAB FEE: $50.00

CLASS LIMIT: FIVE

COURSE SCHEDULE: Three-days (Friday, Saturday, Sunday), beginning 8am for breakfast and continuing until 5pm when we stop for dinner.

LODGING: Motels are located both in Quakertown (5 miles from my home), and directly off I-476, the Northeast Extension of the PA Turnpike at the Quakertown exit, #32 (8 miles). The Red Barn Campground (full hook-ups and a swimming pool) is only one mile away.

TRANSPORTATION: (In order of convenience to Quakertown, PA)

By Air: Lehigh Valley International Airport (Allentown, PA) - 1/2 hr. drive

By Car: Philadelphia - 1 1/4 hrs.

RAW MATERIALS: Students will use eastern hardwoods in a variety of species cut directly from my forest to produce both practice and finished turnings.

EQUIPMENT:

Robust (one) (25" capacity) - Authorized Dealer

Poolewood EURO 2000 (Four) (20" dia. capacity)

Woodfast (short bed) bowl lathe (16" dia. capacity)

Jet Mini-Lathe (10" dia. capacity)

Jim Thompson lathe (custom built) (30" dia. capacity)

TURNING TOOLS: Henry Taylor and Crown "Signature" gouges, the Ellsworth Sharpening Jig and the Ellsworth Tools for hollow turning will be available for use and/or purchase. When possible, students are encouraged to bring their own turning tools which will be checked for tip shape, balance and workability.

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