Woodcraft of Virginia Beach / Norfolk

Resin & Wood Turning Class

Part 1: Thursday, March 26, 2026, 5 PM - 8 PM

Part 2: Thursday, April 16, 2026, 4 PM - 9 PM

This hands-on woodturning class introduces the creative fusion of wood and resin as students design and cast a 4-inch circular blank ready for the lathe. Participants will explore a variety of casting resins, learning the key differences between epoxy systems, cure times, clarity, hardness, and which formulations are best suited for artistic blanks versus structural pours. The session begins with casting fundamentals — selecting and preparing wood, sealing porous areas, mold setup, pigment and inclusion options, and proper mixing techniques to minimize bubbles and ensure a successful pour. Special emphasis will be placed on safe and effective use of pressure pots, demonstrating how controlled pressure improves clarity and reduces voids for professional-quality results. After curing, the class transitions to the lathe where students will true their blank and turn a small project from their custom pour. Instruction will cover tool selection, cutting techniques specific to resin-wood hybrids, sanding strategies, and finishing approaches that enhance chatoyance and depth.

Building a bird house with Jerry

Thursday, April 2, 2026, 6 PM - 9 PM

Learn basic woodworking skills as you build a classic bird house out of cedar planks, making a beautiful, practical, outdoor-ready avian abode. Fun for all ages, this workshop includes all the supplies you'll need, plus hands-on expert instruction. Even get tips for attracting birds to your yard! Tuition covers one birdhouse and up to two participants. Perfect for a date night or a parent-child project!

Intro to Woodturning

Saturday, April 4, 2026, 9 AM - 4 PM

Want to learn the basics of wood turning or refresh your skills from Jr. High shop class? This class covers the basics, including shop and lathe safety, tool identification and selection, mounting wood to the lathe and wood selection. In the first half of the class students will Learn safety, basic tools, how to cut with each basic tool and tool selection. In the second half they will work on a small project determined by the instructor. Skills learned in this class will prepare students for our more advanced classes. Please don't wear sweater type material. Wood chips stick to this and we don't want you to ruin clothing. Wear something you don't mind getting dusty. Bring eye protection and respiratory protection if you have it or safety glasses will be provided.