M. Saban-Smith Woodturning

11/10/2026

✨ Heading to Droitwich Spa ✨

On 25th October I'll be demonstrating at Worcestershire Woodturners. They've got a proper pedigree, having been founded back in 1981 by Reg Sherwin, one of the founding members of the AWGB.

They meet on the first and third Monday of every month at Droitwich Spa High School, from 7pm to 9.30pm. That's twice a month, which means their members get a lot of turning for their subscription. They run a mix of professional and club demonstrations, plus hands-on evenings with four club lathes where beginners can be mentored in a supportive environment.

They describe themselves as a very friendly club with a great social atmosphere, and from what I've seen, that's accurate. Your first three meetings cost just £4 each before you need to join.

More about the club:

Associated with the AWGB

08/10/2026

🪵 Tomorrow: Surrey Association of Woodturners 🪵

Tomorrow I'll be demonstrating at the Surrey Association of Woodturners. A club with a strong community and a genuine commitment to helping its members develop their turning.

If you're in the area and curious, they'd be glad to see you.

More info:

To encourage improvement in the quality of members' work through competitions, critiques, commentaries and learning opportunities.

29/09/2026

Two new guest classes are coming to The Woodturning School in 2027 with Emma Cook!

🎨 Centrifuge Platter: turn a couple of platters, add paint, and let the lathe do the rest. No two ever come out the same, and it is a lot of fun.

🪵 Fountain Pedestal Bowl: a brand new design mixing cross-grain and spindle turning, finished with carved texture and a touch of colour. This one is for experienced turners.

June dates are bookable now, with October opening on 10th January. Link in comments

29/09/2026

As summer fades and the workshop becomes a refuge from cooling evenings, the woodturning calendar offers some of its best events.

As summer fades and the workshop becomes a refuge from cooling evenings, the woodturning calendar offers some of its best events.

25/09/2026

✨ Demonstrating for SAW ✨

On 9th October I'll be demonstrating at the Surrey Association of Woodturners. SAW have been around for a good while and their objectives are clear: foster awareness of the craft, promote woodturning, and provide a proper forum for turners to communicate, share ideas, and improve.

They run regular Zoom coffee shop sessions on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays for members to drop in and chat, which gives you a sense of how engaged and connected their community is. They also encourage members to improve their work through competitions, critiques, and learning opportunities, and they're keen to bring young people into the craft.

A well-established club with serious commitment to woodturning. If you're in Surrey, it's well worth a visit.

More about the club:

To encourage improvement in the quality of members' work through competitions, critiques, commentaries and learning opportunities.

19/09/2026

Whatever finish you leave on a piece stays with it for the life of the piece. That is worth remembering at the point where you are tired and the end is in sight.
Give the finishing the time it asks for. It is the part people will still be looking at in twenty years. New video available now. Link in comments.

15/09/2026

New Workshop Extras video: How to get a clean, high gloss from paste wax on decorative turning, without waste or patchy end grain. Thin cellulose sealer, quick de nib, and two thin coats of paste wax, buffed, not flooded.
We cover why sealer matters, how to avoid tide marks, and how to buff efficiently for a deep sheen.
Watch on YouTube now. Link in comments.

15/09/2026

🪵 Tomorrow: Chelmer Valley Woodturners, Chelmsford 🪵

Tomorrow evening I'll be demonstrating at Chelmer Valley Woodturners. Methodist Church Hall, Lime Walk, Chelmsford, from 7pm.

A welcoming club where your first visit is free. If you're local, come along.

More info:

Chelmer Valley WoodturnersAn affiliated branch of the Association of Woodturners Great Britain About usFind out about Chelmer Valley Woodturners. What our set up is, our history dating back to 1997 as well as our Rules of Association About Us Our Next Event15th July 2026Demonstrator Paul HowardEveni...

15/09/2026

Why do some bowls feel balanced and others feel awkward? Why does one curve satisfy while another unsettles? These questions have occupied me for years, and they became the foundation of my book "Woodturning: Form and Formula."

Why do some bowls feel balanced and others feel awkward? Why does one curve satisfy while another unsettles? These questions have occupied me for years, and they became the foundation of my book "Woodturning: Form and Formula."

14/09/2026

Stewart Furini RPT is joining us at the school in 2027, and he's bringing two days of decoration, texture and colour. The March dates have already gone, so the June weekend is what's left.

Stewart has taught woodturning and decorative techniques for nearly ten years and demonstrates at clubs and events across the UK, Europe and the USA. Before that came thirty years of teaching in a comprehensive school, which is better preparation for a workshop than you might expect. His favourite moment is when a student begins a question with "What if…".

Get Started with Power Carving runs on Friday 11th June 2027. Rotary tools, angle grinders, die grinders, and an afternoon spent making a textured piece to bring home.

Woodturning and Airbrushing runs on Saturday 12th June 2027. You'll turn a wide-rimmed shallow bowl and spend the day colouring it with an airbrush, working with stencils, templates and masking.

Take one or both. Neither day asks much of you beforehand. If you can turn a simple shallow bowl with a little support, you're ready. Everything is provided.

Bookable now with a 30% deposit. Links in the comments.