Turning School

CVWG Woodturning Classes

Chippewa Valley Woodturners Guild (CVWG) started out with 10 charter members who had a desire to share knowledge and gin experience with other turners.
Never in our wildest dreams did we think that we would have people becoming members that didn't own a wood turning lathe,let alone not even knowing how to turn.

As our guild grew in membership we saw experienced turners coming in and understanding our mission of wanting to share with others, younger and older, our passion for this craft.

The questions that were asked soon became evidence that we needed to have a basics course. It was thought that a curriculum needed to be developed. However, in steps Linda Ferber from the American Association of Woodturners national offices in St. Paul, MN, and saves the day by pointing to the syllabus available on the AAW website.

It was thought that maybe 9-10people would be interested. Instead 22 signed up and more are on a waiting list for the next classes.

Our biggest problem was finding classroom space with enough lathes to accommodate that many students.

Bob Eberhardt, in Eau Claire, volunteered his time and well equipped shop for Tuesday evenings, along with Barry Grill as assistant instructor. Fran Passe volunteered his shop in Durand for Thursday evenings with Rick Bauer assisting. And Brian George volunteered his shop with Chuck Brovold being the lead instructor and Brian assisting. Each shop had at least two lathes and it still was a challenge getting lathe time for everyone.

Three hours was allocated for each of the six sessions planned and some sessions went over the alloted time because of the excitement and fun everyone was having.

After going in depth about safety the first session we then moved to the lathes and started using a roughing gouge. Every succeeding session began with a review of safety concerns. It remains one of our most focused concerns yet today.

With what we, as instructors, have learned teaching these classes will help us going forward to teach and interact with Scout troops, 4-H clubs, Boys/Girls clubs and other young people.

Our youngest student in the first set of classes was a 13 year old girl, Amy Engedal, along with her father and grandfather. It doesn't get any better than that.

Tuesday night class at Bob Eberhardt's shop. Thursday night class at Fran Passe's shop.

Left to right Bob Eberhardt, Ken Huse, Jeff Fagen, Al Wait, Jeff Engedal, Amy Engedal, Front row Fran Passe, Bruce Scherlen

Jerry Engedal, Tom Leonard, Barry Grill Back row Steve Schwartz, Bob Ziemetz, Bob Merker, Al Copas, Keith Boesel

Not in picture John Barstad, Ted Simpson Not in picture Rick Bauer

Saturday class at Brian George's studio.

Left to right

Rich Thelen Paul Twesme Orville Bierman Tom Schye Brian George Rick Hemmingson

Not in picture Karen Schrage Steve Schrage Chuck Brovold

Tuesday night class at Bob Eberhardt's shop.

Ken Huse turns his bottle stopper.

Jeff Fagen at work.

Barry and Amy watch Jeff Engedal turn his project.

Thursday night class at Fran Passe's shop.

Bob Ziemetz working on a honey dipper.

Rick Bauer and Bob Eberhardt.

Saturday class at Brian George's studio.

Brian George watches Rick Hemmingson sand his bottle stopper.

Paul Twesme touches up his gouge on the grinder.

The 2010 spring session of the CVWG beginners turning class was completed the last week of May. The class met each Thursday during the month of May at Bob Eberhardt’s shop. Six students were enrolled John Prock, Melvin Rude, Jim Hudacek, Lucy Schroeder, Dave Oreskovich, and Jim Gobel. Instructors were Bob Eberhardt, Fran Passe, Brian George, and Chuck Brovold. Projects made were bottle stoppers, screw drivers and bowls.