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Intermediate Woodturning: Tools, Techniques & Bud Vase Project
February 21 @ 9:30 am – 5:30 pm Eastern
Art Form
Visual ArtsChapter
Hampton RoadsProgram Type
WorkshopPlease note the location is in Pungo, Virginia Beach off of Sandbridge Road and allow ample time for your commute. This is an 8-hour workshop, lunch will be provided.
Take your woodturning skills to the next level with this immersive full-day intermediate course designed for turners who are comfortable with the lathe and ready to refine their technique. Over eight hands-on hours, you’ll work with both high-speed steel (HSS) and carbide turning tools, gaining a deeper understanding of their strengths, applications, and feel on the lathe.
We’ll explore essential techniques for shaping, smoothing, and detailing, with focused instruction on proper tool control and body mechanics. You’ll also learn best practices in sharpening and maintaining HSS tools, including bevel angles, grinding fundamentals, and how sharpening influences tool performance and surface quality.
A segment on design and form will help you develop your eye for balanced, aesthetically pleasing turned pieces. You’ll study proportion, grain orientation, and how subtle changes can elevate your work.
The day concludes with a guided bud vase project, where you’ll apply all the skills covered—tool selection, shaping, detailing, and finishing—while receiving individualized coaching throughout.
Whether you’re looking to expand your toolset, improve surface quality, or gain more confidence at the lathe, this course is a practical, engaging step forward in your woodturning journey.
No prior experience required. All tools, safety gear, and materials are provided.
Important note: A journalist from WTKR plans to attend and film this workshop. Participation in their interviews is optional, but attendees should be comfortable being included in the footage.
About the Instructor
Jeffery O’Connor has been woodworking for over 26 years and is the owner of O’Connor Woodworking and Education Center in Virginia Beach, VA. He is a retired U.S. Navy EOD Master Chief and a former student and assistant to world renowned Canadian woodworker, Rob Cosman. Known for his patient and encouraging teaching style, Jeff thrives on helping students unlock their creativity and build confidence with every technique he teaches. Whether guiding beginners through their first cuts or mentoring seasoned woodworkers, he brings enthusiasm, expertise, and a deep love for the craft to every class.
Jeff is married to Kim, a custom sewist, and has two grown children, Aidan and Grace.
