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Colorado Woodturning Schools

D

Dan Jentink

Joined
Oct 31, 2014
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Colorado
I am a retired disabled Army veteran and have the opportunity going to school on the VA's dime. I am looking at different wood turning programs here in Colorado. I don't really need an Associates at this point so I am looking at certificate programs. I know of the one in Snowmass, but that's a little too far for me. I have found a community college in Denver, Red Rocks Community College, that has two Wood Turning certificates available (regular and advanced) that look pretty good.
Does anyone know of this program, and are there any other reputable programs in the Denver/Colorado Springs area?

Thanks,

Dan
 
I guess I will ask why you want a class. If it is your intention to come out of a class and make a living as a wood turner I will say forget it. It won't happen. If on the other hand you just want to learn so you can have some fun and maybe sell a few things there are a lot of ways to go. I would suggest you join one of the turning clubs in Denver or the Springs. Get to know folks and pick up some ideas and maybe get someone local to help teach you. Then take a class or two. Very few people can make a living from wood turning, but a lot of us have fun doing it and make a few bucks from time to time. Good luck
 
Yea, hard to make a living at it. I was and probably still am a semi pro, which means I could support my habit, pay a few other bills, but not live off of it. Kind of the proverbial 'work for yourself, spend twice the hours working and get paid the same' thing. Same with building custom furniture. Working for a cabinet shop is probably easier for 'making a living'. Lots of fun though if you love working with your hands.

robo hippy
 
Thanks for the replies. My intent is not to do this professionally, but to have some fun and make a few bucks along the way to augment my retirement pay.
The reason I am looking at takng these types of classes is that it would be free for me through the VAs Vocational Rehabiltation prigram. I also intend to take some multi-day classes from some of the professoinals here, but that would be out if pocket.
My question us mainly asking about the caliber of this program at Red Rocks.

Thanks again,

Dan
 
Last edited:
Woodturning in Colorado

Hi Dan, I am one of the mentors with the Pikes Peak Woodturners. If you are in the Colorado Springs area we would be glad to help you. 4 of our mentors are also retired military (including me). One of our guys also oversees the wood shop at the USAF Academy on Saturdays. I have hopefully sent you a private E mail with more information.

Robert Gibbs (Dr. Bob)
 
Dr. Bob,

Yes, I got your email. Thank you very much for reaching out. I will respond shortly, but just wanted to thank you for the information right away.

I look forward to meeting you,

Dan
 
Contact Michael Roper at the red rocks community college program. He is one of the instructors. It is a very good program. If you can have it covered under your VA you can't go wrong.
 
Thank you. That is the kind of information I was looking for. I should know soon if this is going to work out with the VA.

Dan
 
Steve Worcester said:
Yep, talk with Mr. Roper, he is an instructor at a college in the area. If you can't find contact info for him, PM me, I can hook you up.
Click to expand...

Thank you. I found his website and contacted him. Just waiting on a reply.

It looks like the VA is going to go for it. The only thing I need to do is prove to my counselor that there is a job market out there for a turner. She is not familiar with what exactly a turner does so she is not very confident there is a market out there for employment. They are focused on full time, immediate employment with this program.
I have done some searching and found a few job descriptions of different types for turners, but am having difficulty finding some actual job listing for this in my area. Any help on some other job titles to look up other than Lathe Operator?

Thanks for all the help so far. I am at least convinced this is the way to go for me, now just to convince the VA...

Dan
 
Perhaps a custom woodworking company making furniture or architectural detail/millwork for the McMansion industry would be a place for a turner to find work making chair & table legs, railing spindles & newel posts. You might look into buying the Nichols lathe from Cindy Drozda up in Boulder as evidence you're going to be self employed turning porch columns and flag poles. 😉
 
I got the go ahead to register at Red Rocks! They are going to extend my benefits to allow me to take the AAS in Fine Woodworking.
Thanks everyone for the help and information.

Dan
 
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