Calendar of Woodturning Classes taught by Carl Ford and events (symposiums, shows, etc.) that Carl will be attending.

I started teaching classes in my studio in 2016.

2026 Fall
Fall Tuesday’s Aug-Nov 2026 9am-4pm	10 Day Class Registration starts on July 1st Tuition $800 + Materials $20 Note: ($820 / 10) = $82.00 per day.	"Tuesday’s Fall 2026 Woodturning Workshop" class in Carl Ford’s Studio in Poughkeepsie NY. Create functional and artistic lathe turned objects in this 10 session class. Students of every level are free to explore their own interests. Or I can suggest a path for students based on there interest in bowls, hollow forms, spindle turning, etc. Or we can do any mix of things. I personally specialize in natural edge bowls, hollow forms and surface decorations. But, I have experience in and can teach, cut edge bowls, plates, platters, spindles, boxes, toys, lamps, etc. The only thing I don’t do is segmenting. Topics include wood selection and preparation, tool choice, tool sharpening, tool use and control, spindle turning, bowl and vessel turning, hollow turning, finishing, etc. Dates: Any 10 out of 12 Tuesday’s between August 25th and November 17th, 2026. Aug 25, Sept 1, 8, 15, 29, Oct 6, 13, 20, 27, Nov 3, 10, 17. (No Class on Sept 22, Class finished before Thanksgiving!, No Classes in December!) If a class is canceled due to snow, I will refund people’s money. NO snow day! 10 out of 12 days means students can take 2 days (weeks) off for Vacations, Honey Dues, etc. Time: 9am – 4pm (6 hrs with 1 hr break for lunch) Number of Students: 3 max (Small class setting!) Tuition $800.00, Plus a $20 Materials Fee for paint and sand paper. ($820 / 10 days = $82.00 per day / 6 hrs per day = $13.67 per hour, A really good deal!) Location: At Carl Ford’s Studio in Poughkeepsie NY. My studio is a bright and cherry environment. Click here for more studio info, pictures and directions. Click here for additional Class Information, Suggested Projects for Beginners and the Fine Print. Email Carl Ford (carl@carlford.us) if you want to be added to the waiting list for a future class.
Fall Thursday’s Aug-Nov 2025 9am-4pm	10 Day Class Registration starts on July 1st Tuition $800 + Materials $20 Note: ($820 / 10) = $82.00 per day.	"Thursday’s Fall 2026 Woodturning Workshop" class in Carl Ford’s Studio in Poughkeepsie NY. Same class as above. Dates: Any 10 out of 12 Thursday’s between August 27th and November 19th, 2026. Aug 27, Sept 3, 10, 17, Oct 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Nov 5, 12, 19. (No Class on Sept 24, Class finished before Thanksgiving!, No Classes in December!) If a class is canceled due to snow, I will refund people’s money. NO snow day! 10 out of 12 days means students can take 2 days (weeks) off for Vacations, Honey Dues, etc. Time: 9am – 4pm (6 hrs with 1 hr break for lunch) Email Carl Ford (carl@carlford.us) if you want to be added to the waiting list for a future class.
2027 Spring
Spring Tuesday’s Jan-Mar 2027 9am-4pm	10 Day Class Registration starts on December 1st Tuition $800 + Materials $20	"Tuesday’s Spring 2027 Woodturning Workshop" class in Carl Ford’s Studio in Poughkeepsie NY. Same class as above. Dates: Any 10 out of 12 Tuesday’s between January 5th and March 23th, 2027. Jan 5, 12, 19, 26, Feb 2, 9, 16, 23, Mar 2, 9, 16, 23. If a class is canceled due to snow. Then a day will be added to the end on Tuesday March 30, 2027. 10 out of 12 days means students can take 2 days (weeks) off for Vacations, Honey Dues, etc. Time: 9am – 4pm (6 hrs with 1 hr break for lunch) Number of Students: 3 max (Small class setting!) Tuition $800.00, Plus a $20 Materials Fee for paint and sand paper. ($820 / 10 days = $82 per day / 6 hrs per day = $14 per hour, A really good deal!) Location: At Carl Ford’s Studio in Poughkeepsie NY. My studio is a bright and cherry environment. Click here for more studio info, pictures and directions. Click here for additional Class Information, Suggested Projects for Beginners and the Fine Print. Email Carl Ford (carl@carlford.us) if you want to be added to the waiting list for a future class.
Spring Thursday’s Jan-Mar 2027 9am-4pm	10 Day Class Registration starts on December 1st Tuition $800 + Materials $20	"Thursday’s Spring 2027 Woodturning Workshop" class in Carl Ford’s Studio in Poughkeepsie NY. Same class as above. Dates: Any 10 out of 12 Thursday’s between January 7th and March 25th, 2027. Jan 7, 14, 21, 28, Feb 4, 11, 18, 25, Mar 4, 11, 18, 25. If a class is canceled due to snow. Then a day will be added to the end on Thursday April 1, 2027. 10 out of 12 days means students can take 2 days (weeks) off for Vacations, Honey Dues, etc. Time: 9am – 4pm (6 hrs with 1 hr break for lunch) Email Carl Ford (carl@carlford.us) if you want to be added to the waiting list for a future class.

Covid Policy

My studio is in my HOUSE. Thus it is my rules!

1. All students MUST be Vaccinated! NO EXCEPTIONS!
2. I believe in science. Students MUST follow CDC Covid guidelines and New York State Covid guidelines.
3. If New York State requires a mask then I require a mask.

Snow Day Policy

I DO NOT expect anyone to drive to my house in Poughkeepsie on any day they don’t feel safe!

I watch the weather forecast in Poughkeepsie, New York City and Albany. If snow is likely to cause driving problems then I will send out an email canceling class. I try to cancel class a few days in advance. Last minute cancellations are no good! I try hard to avoid them. If a student does not respond to my email canceling a class then I will phone them.

If I cancel a class, then I will schedule a snow make up day after discussing with students. Students who come on Tuesdays, often can only come on Tuesdays. Etc. Thus, in most cases I add a “snow make up day” to the end of the class schedule.

If I don’t cancel a class and a student does not come due to snow. Then I try to work with them, to find a way we can make up the class or refund their money for the day. (I prorate the cost of the day. By dividing the 10 day total class cost by 10.)

Deposit & Refund Policy

I like to have a friendly relationship with my students. Thus, what follows is somewhat flexible. I try to work with people. However, I grew up in a rough neighborhood. I am not a push over!

New students should contact me by email to schedule a class. I will ask new students to send a $100 deposit check or PayPal AFTER we agree to a class.

If a new student cancels after we have exchanged several emails then I am probably going to keep your $100 deposit. No refund. But, I may refund your $100 if there is a really good reason.

I generally do not ask for a deposit from students who have taken a class with me in the past.

All students MUST pay me the full amount (less any deposit) on the first day of class! I strongly prefer CASH! The good old fashion green stuff! I will take a personal check. But, I prefer CASH! A personal check is NOT cash! NO Venmo or other electronic BS.

Summer Classes

No classes in June, July and August. People express some interest. But, then they don't sign up.

Weekend & Private Classes

At this time, I am not interested in teaching weekend or private classes.

Note: I already teach 48 class days a year. That is enough for me. (Spring & Fall, Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10 out of 12 days, is 48 class days.)

I suggest you try Googling "Woodturning Classes Near Me".

When you find a place, I recommend checking it out.

1. Try to find some pictures of their woodturning studio.
   
   If I can't easily find pictures then I reject. Anyone who wants to charge you money should put pictures of there facilities on the web.
   
   I would reject any place that only has mini lathes. Trying to teach someone how to turn a bowl on a mini lathe is cruel and inhumane punishment. In my not so humble opinion.
   
   
2. Check out the instructor. Google "Joe Blow Woodturner".
   
   Do they have the experience that you are looking for?
   
   If you are just a beginner then paying big bucks for a well known national or international person may not be necessary.
   
   If you are looking to up your game. Then you probably want someone with more experience.
   
   Look for and check out pictures of instructors work.
   
   BEWARE of FALSE photos on class web pages, etc. Does the photo show what the instructor is going to teach in the class?

Note: There are 3 woodturning schools near where I live in Poughkeepsie NY. The "Brookfield Craft Center" in Brookfield CT. "Peters Valley School of Craft" in NJ Delaware Water Gap. "Snow Farm" in Williamsburg, MA. They all have there pluses and minuses. I don't want to pick one over another one. Check out the instructors at each school and pick the one you like.