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Favorite instructor

Wow that's tough. I haven't taken very many and some were only one day seminars with a bunch of people there. It would have to be a toss up between Binh Pho and Micheal Hosaluk. Ray Key was great and I thoroughly enjoyed Frank Sudol.
For demo's that I've attended I think Stewart Batty is way up there along with Greame Priddle. John Jordan and Clay foster give really down to earth straight answer demo's. Nick Cook is always good along with Bob Rosand.
 
Stu Batty. Not everyone who is really talented at turning is also really talented at communicating what they know. Stu is both.


Dave
 
I've watched several turners' videos, but only had hands-on training with Bill Grumbine. He taught me more in two days than I could learn in weeks of watching demos and videos. He can explain how to do things in plain language, and, while watching very closely, let you make your own mistakes. For me, it was the best way to learn.
 
I also enjoy Bill's videos and find him to be an excellent teacher although I haven't taken any lessons from him. I don't think he teaches people who turn on anchors....Private joke....😀

My favorite teacher has to be a toss up between Mark St. Leger and Frank Penta. Both of these gentlemen are teachers by profession and both do wonderful jobs of teaching their love for this hobby and craft.

Interestingly enough they both like to make their own tools and jigs and show you many ways to do things. Mark is particularly effective in teaching and demonstrating frugal woodturning.

But most of all I always come away enthusiastic after watching these two gentlemen demonstrate or teach. They are so enthusiastic themselves that it just infuses the viewer and you want to duplicate what you have just learned.

Jimmy Clewes is much the same in person and eager to share his knowledge. I have not taken a class from him but hope to. His videos are very well done and demonstrate techniques extremely well.

I have had the opportunity to see Allan Batty and I must say he is one of the most inspiring teachers I have ever seen. He makes it look so easy and does a wonderful job or explaining the technique he is demonstrating. Allan is extraordinarily skilled.
 
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Teachers

In my limited expierence I have been fortunate to see and learn from David Elsworth his 3 day sesion is a great expierence, would do it again sometime. Also had some instruction from Mike Kehs also a very good teacher with a wide range of expertice. Bill Grumbine has two of the best vidios out there. Just to name a few in this area of PA. George
 
I have to give my local club (WNC Woodturners) the thumbs up on improving my knowledge in the world of turning. One of the members does a demo every month and I learn something new at every meeting and try and apply it to my turning. Our club had John Jordan for a day demo last summer and he was outstanding. Watching him and getting his two large hollowing tools has really made a big difference in my HF's. I must say that my main teacher over the years has been Mr. Murphy. He is not my favorite by far, but he still shows up and teaches me something more often than I care for.🙂🙂
Jack
 
Well Im limited to only having taken a few classes.

I did enjoy the one with David Marks - but I would say my favorite would be Stuart Mortimer.

I would like to take one one day from Malcolm Tibbetts and one from Jimmy Clewes ...

Robert
 
instructor

favorite: i really like going to rotations and demonstrations

my mentor would certainly rank up there ie Terry Mitchell, and the rotation that Nick Cook put on in Greensboro with Phil cracking jokes, the discussion slide show led by Jacques Vesery

Tom Crabb and Barbara Dill opened my eyes at my 1st regional symposium

the Concord bunch was very enjoyable with John Lucas, Dixie Biggs, & Larry Hasiak............ i plan to return this spring

Richmond: great 3 days, almost too much info a couple of highlights
David Nittmann & Cindy Drozda, Mark Gardner, Avelino Samuel, Nick Agar,Matthew Birchfield...

it goes on and on, the one common theme that comes thru starting with Terry is their enthusiasm for woodturning 😀
 
Some of the ones already mentioned are hard to top but I have this thing about learning the basics. The skills and technique employed to produce the "art"
For this reason I would look to Dave Hout. Stewart Batty and Michael Hosaluk would be my next choices.
 
George Hatfield is one that is not mentioned too often but to watch him work is amazing with the skew and gouges.Stewart Batty, John Jordan, Micheal Hosaluk, and one that is longer with us is Harvey Helmke.
 
For 'Hands on' I'd vote Mike Mahoney or Dale Nish.

For Demo's, Nick Cook, Dick Sing, and Trent Bosch for turners and Molly Winton for decorators

Just my experience. There are alot of great teachers out there famous and not so famous.

Frank
 
A good in instructor must inspire challenge and encourage you. It appears from the response there are are lots of good ones out there, most of which I have not had the privileged to attend their class.

Not everyone who does a good or great demo is a good class instructor. I suppose the opposite is also true.

Binh Pho is my favorite so far and I suppose no matter how many classes I take he will always stay at the top. Binh is all of the above inspiring challenging and encouraging.
Don
 
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It has been a long time since I saw George Hatfield but he turned my turning around. After his demo with the skew and watching him turn coves with the spindle gouge my skills improved a huge amount. It was a huge eye opener.
 
Mike Mahoney is my favorite. I took a class from him in February last year, I had a great time, it seemed to go way to fast. As for other instructors, I would watch any I could at a symposium. I like to take other peoples ideas and techniques and form my own. I always like new ideas. While I was at the Utah symposium I really enjoyed the demo from Allen Batty; he is a bit older than most, but he knows what he is talking about.
Wyatt
 
Sean Troy said:
Stewart Batty, Mike Mahoney and Jimmy Clews. There are lots of other good instructors but IMHO, the three mentioned make learning easier.
Click to expand...

I should also mention Phil Brennion. I took a class from him for several days some years back and was amazed at all I learned. I sure hope he gets to the point he can get in his shop again.
 
I'll second Phil. I saw him at the TAW symposium many years ago. He passed out a huge amount of informtion with a great sense of humor. I still use much of that info. Haven't tried burning a piece with Gunpowder yet. Too many memories from burning my hair off gunpowder. Still it has my interest.
 
It's amazing! After reading the posts so far, my list of favorites has grown dramatically. When I stop and think about all the great people I have watched over the years each have effected my turning in one way or another.
 
My list as of now would be Jimmy Clewes, Bob Rosand, and Dave Hout, hoping to expand this list this coming year.
 
Most memorable demos:
  • Johannes Rieber, Norway - Turning a Container (Multi-Axis Turning)
  • Johannes Michelsen - Hats
  • Andi Wolfe - for her pyrography techniques.
  • Nick Cook - watching him work with the youth program, I learn something every time.
My best instruction was actually from Jim Nash at Cerritos College, CA. He not only taught the basics of turning, but many of the design considerations a turning needed.
 
Just finished hosting a great 4 day workshop with Jimmy Clewes.

Jimmy inspired and coached as well as leading and teaching.

Matching your desires as a student with what instructors offer is the key.
I have had the good fortune to take and host a number of workshops.

I would recommend Al Stirt, Trent Bosch, Jimmy Clewes, and David Ellsworth as excellent choices for any wood turner at any level.

For someone with a special interest Dixie Biggs, Christian Burchard, Cindy Drozda, Clay Foster, Larry Hasiak, Lyle Jamieson, Johannes Michelson, and Michael Peterson are hard to beat. For example I would reccomend Johannes to anyone interested in thin walls or hats.
There are lots of other great folks too.

Happy turning,
Al
 
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I've been a hobby turner since the late 1980's and a member of the local AAW chapter since 1993. Of all the demonstrators and workshops I've attended, I'd say Stuart Batty's multi-day classes are exceptional.
Stuart clearly describes and demonstrates the how and why of proficient cuts. He then individually points out subtle changes needed to improve one's technique and design while practicing and turning projects. His teaching approach ingrained techniques I've used to take my turning to the next level.
 
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