Calendar

Apr
6
Sat
Make-A-Project Class – Series @ Bull Valley Hardwood
Apr 6 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

This class that will consist of multiple sessions.  The overall result of this class is to make a coffee table, end table, or night stand.  All those enrolled will be making the exact same table.  The differences will be the type of wood that you choose and the type of finish.

During the first class, we will be discussing design, sketching, and drawing.  In addition we will be discussing the type of joinery needed for the project.  We will also talk about laying out a Bill of Materials and a cutting list in addition to creating a Plan of Procedure.  If time allows, we will also talk about the selection of wood for this project.

During the second class, we will want you to bring in your Bill of Materials and Plan of Procedure.  You will have the opportunity to pick out the wood that you would like to use and then we will discuss and demonstrate how to rough cut the pieces; get them cut to the final size and lay-out the joinery.  If time allows, we will also demonstrate how to cut the joinery.

During the third class, we will continue to discuss and demonstrate the joinery.  We will also show how to prep the pieces before finishing and discuss a variety of different finishes that you can use.

During the last class, we will check your project and perhaps do some finishing in the class.

There is a minimal charge for this class: $150.00. This charge does not include the materials to build the project. You will have an opportunity to select and purchase the materials from Bull Valley Hardwood, during the second class.

Seating is limited to 10 students. These classes fill up quickly, so do not wait to reserve your seat! Please call the store to register. Call: 815.701.9400 and press “1” to reserve your seat.

 

 

Apr
20
Sat
Make-A-Project Class – Series @ Bull Valley Hardwood
Apr 20 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

This class that will consist of multiple sessions.  The overall result of this class is to make a coffee table, end table, or night stand.  All those enrolled will be making the exact same table.  The differences will be the type of wood that you choose and the type of finish.

During the first class, we will be discussing design, sketching, and drawing.  In addition we will be discussing the type of joinery needed for the project.  We will also talk about laying out a Bill of Materials and a cutting list in addition to creating a Plan of Procedure.  If time allows, we will also talk about the selection of wood for this project.

During the second class, we will want you to bring in your Bill of Materials and Plan of Procedure.  You will have the opportunity to pick out the wood that you would like to use and then we will discuss and demonstrate how to rough cut the pieces; get them cut to the final size and lay-out the joinery.  If time allows, we will also demonstrate how to cut the joinery.

During the third class, we will continue to discuss and demonstrate the joinery.  We will also show how to prep the pieces before finishing and discuss a variety of different finishes that you can use.

During the last class, we will check your project and perhaps do some finishing in the class.

There is a minimal charge for this class: $150.00. This charge does not include the materials to build the project. You will have an opportunity to select and purchase the materials from Bull Valley Hardwood, during the second class.

Seating is limited to 10 students. These classes fill up quickly, so do not wait to reserve your seat! Please call the store to register. Call: 815.701.9400 and press “1” to reserve your seat.

 

 

May
11
Sat
Make-A-Project Class – Series @ Bull Valley Hardwood
May 11 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

This class that will consist of multiple sessions.  The overall result of this class is to make a coffee table, end table, or night stand.  All those enrolled will be making the exact same table.  The differences will be the type of wood that you choose and the type of finish.

During the first class, we will be discussing design, sketching, and drawing.  In addition we will be discussing the type of joinery needed for the project.  We will also talk about laying out a Bill of Materials and a cutting list in addition to creating a Plan of Procedure.  If time allows, we will also talk about the selection of wood for this project.

During the second class, we will want you to bring in your Bill of Materials and Plan of Procedure.  You will have the opportunity to pick out the wood that you would like to use and then we will discuss and demonstrate how to rough cut the pieces; get them cut to the final size and lay-out the joinery.  If time allows, we will also demonstrate how to cut the joinery.

During the third class, we will continue to discuss and demonstrate the joinery.  We will also show how to prep the pieces before finishing and discuss a variety of different finishes that you can use.

During the last class, we will check your project and perhaps do some finishing in the class.

There is a minimal charge for this class: $150.00. This charge does not include the materials to build the project. You will have an opportunity to select and purchase the materials from Bull Valley Hardwood, during the second class.

Seating is limited to 10 students. These classes fill up quickly, so do not wait to reserve your seat! Please call the store to register. Call: 815.701.9400 and press “1” to reserve your seat.

 

 

May
18
Sat
Making a River Table with Epoxy @ Bull Valley Hardwood - Mill/Shop Location
May 18 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am

If you have any questions about incorporating the amazing artistic capabilities of Epoxy into your woodworking projects, you won’t want to miss this class!

This class will discuss the process of making a “River Table” using Live Edge lumber and the incredible epoxy product made by EcoPoxy.

In this class, we will be making a 10′ long River Table, that will end up being a Waterfall Table once completed.

You will learn how to prepare your wood for use in a River Table, the importance of setting up a proper area to work for the creation of epoxy poured projects, the many ways to create a form in which to pour your epoxy projects, the countless creative ways to make an epoxy pour table look amazing, using Metallic Pigments, Color Pigments, Glitter and a host of other objects that can be embedded/encapsulated into the epoxy pour.

This class is not a lecture. We will be reviewing all of the items above, as we create a finished product!

This class has very limited seating and some students have pre-registered to make sure they had a seat when the class was announced, so please call the store to register as soon as possible. These classes have been filling up early, with waiting lists, so don’t delay in registering for this one.

Call: 815.701.9400 and press “1” to reserve your seat.

The charge for this class is $25.00

This class will be held at Bull Valley Hardwood – Saturday, May 18th – 9:00 am – 11:00 am

Please note: This class will NOT be held at the retail store location in town, but will be held out at the mill/workshop location West of Woodstock, in the woodturning classroom.

18014 Collins Rd, Woodstock, IL 60098 Look for the “Bull Valley Hardwood Event” sign.

May
25
Sat
Finishing Your Woodworking Projects @ Bull Valley Hardwood - Mill/Shop Location
May 25 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am

If you have any questions about finishing your woodworking projects, or have made some mistakes in the past and would like to learn how to avoid making those finishing mistakes again, then you won’t want to miss this class!

 

Learn the ins and outs of General Finishes’ full line of finishing products.

 

Join us May 25th for an in depth look at everything General Finishes has to offer from their industry leading water based technologies, to the social media famous Java Gel Stain.

 

Along the way we will take a deep dive into the many pitfalls of the staining process and help you steer clear of them.

 

We will also be answering any questions you might have about General Finishes or finishing your project in general, as well as pointers on product selection, based on desired end results.

 

This class is not a lecture. We will be be doing examples of proper finishing techniques to help you avoid the “Horrors of Finishing”!

 

This class has very limited seating and some students have pre-registered to make sure they had a seat when the class was announced, so please call the store to register as soon as possible. These classes have been filling up early, with waiting lists, so don’t delay in registering for this one.

 

Call: 815.701.9400 and press “1” to reserve your seat.

 

The charge for this class is $25.00

 

This class will be held at Bull Valley Hardwood – Saturday, May 25th – 9:00 am – 11:00 am

 

Please note: This class will NOT be held at the retail store location in town, but will be held out at the mill/workshop location West of Woodstock, in the woodturning classroom.

 

18014 Collins Rd, Woodstock, IL 60098

 

Look for the “Bull Valley Hardwood Event” sign.

 

Aug
2
Fri
Woodturning Class with Michael Roper @ Bull Valley Hardwood - Mill/Shop Location
Aug 2 – Aug 4 all-day

Michael Roper is a professional woodturner and woodturning teacher who currently teaches at the Red Rocks Community College Fine Woodworking program. Roper is a third generation carpenter who fell in love with woodturning during his Associate of Applied Sciences degree at Red Rocks.

Roper is the winner of the following awards: 2010 and 2012 Educational Opportunity Grant, April 2011 Turning Challenge (Front Range Woodturners), 2010 Collegian Award, 2011 Collegian Excellence Award (American Association of Woodturners) , and 2011 1st Place Art Sculpture (Denver County Fair). His work has been featured in Woodturning Magazine (Oct 2012 no 45 pg 76), American Woodturner (Oct 2011 no 5 pg 1)

 

Class Description:

Day 1: Roper will focus on woodturning safety, tool selection & proper turning techniques on day 1, with a focus towards spindle turning.

Day 2: On day 2, you will build on the knowledge gained during the first session with a focus on bowl turning.

Day 3: Day 3 will continue to build on the knowledge you have gained and move into hollow vessel turning. Roper will share with you some of the many “Tips & Techniques” necessary to become a skilled hollow vessel woodturner.

 

You can sign up for one, two or all three days of Roper’s classes.

Class Fees: Single day class – $250.00; Multiple Days – $195.00 per day.

Material Fees: $20.00 per day

 

This class will be held at the new Bull Valley Hardwood woodturning classroom facility – August 2, 3 & 4, 2019

Facility Location: 18014 Collins Rd, Woodstock, IL 60098

Aug
19
Mon
Woodturning Class with Stuart Batty @ Bull Valley Hardwood - Mill/Shop Location
Aug 19 @ 9:00 am – Aug 23 @ 5:00 pm

Stuart Batty is a third-generation woodturner, being a full-time production turner and teacher in his father Allan’s studio at age 16.

During the past 37 years, Stuart has taught more than 6,000 amateur and professional woodturners around the world, in 12 different countries and all 50 states in the USA.

Stuart’s style of work is greatly influenced by his background as a spindle turner with precise cuts and sharp detail. He uses very simple tools and tool shapes to create his pieces. An excellent instructor, Stuart believes we have only skimmed the surface of the potential of the wood lathe.

Important note from Bull Valley Hardwood:

For those of you who follow Ashley Harwood and have missed out on classes offered previously by Ashley, please be aware that this amazing artist is Ashley’s mentor. In attending this class, you would be learning from the master!

 

Class Description:

Stuart’s class is based on improving the understanding and application of the most effective way to cut wood on a lathe. It is for every level of woodturner from a novice to professional woodturner. There are six fundamental cuts in woodturning, almost identical for both spindle and bowl turning. The style of woodturning that is taught in this class is hundreds of years old and based on the European style of “Push Cut”. However, it has been simplified to work with less tools and simple grinds. Everyone who takes the class learns to cut any wood with zero torn grain and with very little physical effort. Every cut is broken down into comprehensive steps, so that anyone can learn and perfect these cuts. Each of the six cuts is practiced in a variety of both spindle and bowl turning shapes. Students learn to free hand grind, which is quicker and more accurate than jig grinding. Stuart also teaches his “Negative Rake Scraping” technique in the class, as a support technique to the “Push Cut”. Each student turns several pieces each day to correctly practice the techniques over and over, on average students turn 30 plus pieces in 5 days.

Key Points:

  • Learn to cut without torn grain
  • Use very little physical effort
  • Significant practice of all spindle and bowl turning cuts
  • Understand the difference between slicing, peeling and scraping wood
  • Learn the 7-fundamental set up to eliminate variables
  • Free hand platform sharpen all gouges and chisels

 

Day 1:

On the first day, the students learn the 7 fundamentals set ups and how to correctly sharpen gouges. Students practice all the spindle cuts using Stuart’s 40/40 grind for bowl gouges and when to use the spindle roughing gouge.

Day 2:

On the second day, students use the 40/40 bowl gouge grind for the majority of bowl cuts and the bottom bowl gouge for the last third inside the bowl. The students turn 6 plus bowls to the rough turned thickness or thinner. They will learn how to eliminate torn grain on any part of the bowl.

Day 3:

The third day is a repeat of the second day with the inclusion of Stuart’s negative rake scraping technique.

Day 4:

On the fourth day students will create several shallow bowls and platters. In this class, the students will start to understand that deep bowls and shallow bowls/platters require more of the bottom bowl gouge and less of the 40/40 bowl gouge due to the majority of the exposed grain being side grain.

Day 5:

On the fifth day students will make several natural edge bowls. This day covers the mounting methods for natural edge pieces. They will also learn to float the gouge through the natural edge surface to achieve the best possible surface to dramatically reduce sanding and therefore keep the edges of the piece very clean and

 

Stuart’s class is a 5-Day class – August 19th – August 23rd

Class Fees: $1,050.00

Material Fees: $80.00

 

This is a non-refundable, “pre-paid” class to hold your position for the event.

This class will be held at the new Bull Valley Hardwood woodturning classroom facility – August 19 – 23, 2019

Facility Location: 18014 Collins Rd, Woodstock, IL 60098

 

Sep
7
Sat
Woodturning Class with Greg Gallegos @ Bull Valley Hardwood - Mill/Shop Location
Sep 7 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Greg’s Biography:
My Name is Greg Gallegos. I have been artistically inclined since I was very young. I was heavily into wood shop in high school. I first fell in love with the lathe there. It took me another ten years after high school to be able to purchase a lathe.
After years of properly learning the craft and practicing the skills, I felt I was ready to start selling, I started with the local craft and art markets, which lead to several large national shows.
These days, I have settled into a fairly normal routine of being spontaneously creative at times and then prodigiously productive at other times. Trying to find a happy medium…not likely to happen but…I love wood with a passion which keeps me wondering what the next piece of wood I cut into will show me. I try not to limit myself to a particular set of skills. I have turned just about everything there is to turn. I love them all. Hollow forms, natural edge bowls, functional tableware bowls in production runs, whimsical pieces, and decorative carving as well. I do gravitate towards working with green wood to completion. I really feel that it gives the wood its most simplistic forms and keeps the organic quality of the wood intact.
Class Description:
This class is for those woodturners that have already learned the basic skills of woodturning.
Greg will start off the class demonstrating the process for making these podlets. (See the above picture of the podlet.) You should have enough time to make two podlets in class, as Greg works with the class to provide one-on-one assistance throughout the process.
For Greg’s class, you can sign up for either one of the classes or both of the classes. Both classes will be the same, but if you would like extra training time with Greg and personal practice time, consider attending both days!
Class Fees: One class – $250.00; Both Classes – $425.00
Material Fees: $20.00 per class
This is a non-refundable, “pre-paid” class to hold your position for the event.
These individual one day classes will be held at the new Bull Valley Hardwood woodturning classroom facility – September 7th & 28th, 2019
Facility Location: 18014 Collins Rd, Woodstock, IL 60098
Sep
14
Sat
Wood Technology @ Bull Valley Hardwood - Mill/Shop Location
Sep 14 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am

At this session we will discuss the parts of a tree, differences between hardwoods and softwoods, seasoning and moisture content, cutting methods, and factors for selecting wood.  You will learn about a variety of lumber defects and how to work with them.  We will show you the various hardwood types available at Bull Valley Hardwood and also the types of sheet materials that they have.  We will also do a tour of the sawmill, to see how the lumber is cut and visit the kilns, so see the lumber drying process.

The fee for this class is:  $35.00

This is a non-refundable fee, to hold your seat in the class.

Woodturning Class with Barry Todd @ Bull Valley Hardwood - Mill/Shop Location
Sep 14 @ 9:00 am – Sep 15 @ 5:00 pm
Barry’s Biography:
My fascination with wood began at an early as I watched my dad in his shop.I think I’ve always loved the feel, texture smell and story that each piece holds within it. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed a range of doing flatwork ranging from birdhouses to fine cabinetry. It wasn’t until after retirement that I discovered my true passion in life, that being the wonderful world of woodturning. I began by tinkering with an old Craftsman bench top lathe that a friend had given me. I knew absolutely nothing about turning, but managed to make a few candlesticks, ball bats and some rough bowls while, surprisingly enough, not injuring myself. After about 4 years, someone saw some of my pieces and referred me to a wonderful turner by the name of Jim Burrowes, who became my mentor and good friend until he was diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. In the 4 years since I first set foot in his shop, I now turn full time and am enjoying my second career.
My work has appeared in the American Woodturner magazine among other publications. I have appeared on two episodes of the long running PBS series The American Woodshop, with Scott Phillips, and the Woodworking Adventures series by Woodcraft Stores. My work can be found in private collections in the U.S., Europe, Asia and the Middle East. I have demonstrated and instructed nationally for the past two years and was recently invited to demonstrate in Australia.
The more I learn about this wonderful art form, the more I realize that I have so much more to learn. My only regret is that I didn’t discover woodturning earlier in life!
Class Description:
This class is for those woodturners that have already learned the basic skills of woodturning.
This beautiful Tiffany lamp is made up of 14 pieces. (See the above picture of the lamp next to Barry’s biography.) Barry will take you through the steps by first demonstrating the process for each step, then will work with the class to provide one-on-one assistance throughout the process.
Barry’s class is a 2-Day class – September 14th – September 15th
Class Fees: $550.00
Material Fees: $50.00
This is a non-refundable, “pre-paid” class to hold your position for the event.
This class will be held at the new Bull Valley Hardwood woodturning classroom facility – September 14 – 15, 2019
Facility Location: 18014 Collins Rd, Woodstock, IL 60098