About Front Range Woodturners

We are the Denver area chapter of the AAW (American Association of Woodturners) serving woodturners throughout Colorado’s Front Range.

Our Meetings

We meet on the first Tuesday of every month from 6:15 PM to 9:00 PM in the basement of Rockler Woodworking and Hardware, 2553 S Colorado Blvd, Denver, 80222.

Visitors are welcome to join us at one of our meetings to see what we are all about.

Upcoming Demonstrations

April – Keith Gotschall – 3 Bowls 3 Different Ways

Keith grew up in the Midwest, but in 1981 he made Colorado his home. Living in Boulder, he took advantage of all the outdoor activites available. Rock climbing became a passion of his. To fund his adventures Keith followed another lifelong passion, woodturning. Starting in a factory on the night shift making “butcher block” furniture, he quickly rose through the ranks. Keith made his way through various cabinet shops, ending with a designer making very eclectic furniture.

In 1989 he struck out on his own, developing his own clientele and designs under the name K2 Woodworks. 1998 saw him change focus from furniture to woodturning. Moving from Boulder to the small town of Salida, CO, saw another change for Keith as it was there that he met his wife Catherine. Keith now fills his workdays with production architectural turning, furniture, teaching and demonstrations, as well as any old weird job that comes in. For fun he still explores Colorado, often on his dual sport motorbike.

With his background in fine art, and a love of the truly utilitarian, Keith’s work can be noted for its clean lines, smooth curves and tight detail.

Keith is an excellent demonstrator and fan favorite. In Keith’s demo he will show 3 or 4 different ways to make a bowl. Whether you’ve made one bowl or a  hundred, there will be something for everyone. Keith is teaching a class the day of the meeting and the day after on “Manhole Cover Box”. Check out the picture above, there is no knob! You’ll have to take his class to learn how to get the lid off.

May – Dave Landers – Sliced Hollow Forms

I’ve been a hobbyist woodturner for over 30 years. I enjoy making things both functional and beautiful. Every time I step in the shop, I strive to not only create something good, but also to advance my skills and abilities.

It’s all about the wood for me. I like creating in harmony with Mother Nature, she’s supplied so much more than just a material to work with. Wood is art. My challenge is to embellish that art, using the lathe and other tools, to enhance the beauty already there. Sometimes, I also get to collaborate with insects or maybe a fungus, and we layer on top of each other’s work.

Most of my bowls and hollow forms are made from “rescued” wood. Trees, removed from someone’s yard, are rescued before they get to the landfill.

I have the privilege of being able to turn wood in my shop and studio in beautiful Estes Park, Colorado.

In this demonstration I will go through the steps I take to create my “Sliced Hollow Forms”. These are forms which have been turned, then sliced on the bandsaw, and then reassembled with pewa (butterfly patches).

https://dlwoodturning.com/

Demonstrators scheduled for 2024:

Jun – Bill David (from Pikes Peak Woodturners) – Rebecca DeGroot inspired “Walking Legs”
Jul – IRD with Emily Ford – Captured Ring Baby Rattles, Spinning Tops
Aug – Elizabeth Weber – Carving a Wave Leaf Motif
Sep – Raleigh Lockhart – Leaf Bowl
Oct – Matt Monaco – Advanced Skew Work
Nov – Bear Limvere, Two Handed Bowl
Dec – Holiday Party

Member Benefits

  • Library – The Front Range Woodturners has an extensive collection of books, magazines, and videos available for members to check out at no cost.
  • Demonstrations – Each monthly meeting features an exciting demo given by one of our club members or a professional turner. When available we also offer a full day hands-on class with these renowned turners at a nominal cost.
  • Wood Raffle – Members can bring some of their excess wood to a meeting to be raffled off.  You can never have too much wood!
  • Group Buy – Do you want to save money?  We have vendor discounts with Internet suppliers, local suppliers, tool and steel suppliers and wood suppliers. Through our deals with these vendors our members can easily earn back the cost of membership!
  • Ladies of the Lathe – All female members of the FRW, aged 18 or older, are invited to join the Ladies of the Lathe. LOTL is intended to provide a comfortable, easy-paced, and non-threatening environment for women to learn and advance their skills in turning.
  • Mentoring – Members have access to several programs to help increase their woodturning skills. Group sessions are held monthly and one-on-one mentoring on various topics can be arranged with experienced FRW volunteers.
  • PHEOG – The Pete Holtus Educational Opportunity Grant program provides grant money to members through an application process. Applicants may request money for woodturning related classes, workshops, or symposium fees.
turning a candlestick on a lathe

Special Notices

  • The turning challenge for the April meeting is a Picture Frame Box like what Chris Hoehle demoed at our March meeting.  The inlay must be visible from both sides of the lid.  Chris has step-by-step instructions on his website at www.studiocsh.com under the Classes and Resources for Other Woodturners tab.
  • Great news!  Craft Supplies is once again giving a 13% discount for Group Buy orders. 
  • Speaking of Group Buy, our next one is next month (April meeting).  Go to Resources > Group Buy to fill out an eForm for the different vendors.
  • It’s time to renew your membership! Starting 3/12/24 we added an online form as another option to renew. Click on FRW Membership Info (top right corner of the Home page), and fill out the Current Member Renewal Online Form.
    The eForm is still available if you prefer to print and mail your renewal.  Checks are preferred, but you can also pay via PayPal/Credit Card using the online form. IF YOU HAVEN’T PAID BY MARCH YOU WILL BE DROPPED FROM THE ROSTER.
  • PHEOG Grant. The Pete Holtus Educational Opportunity Grant applications are due by March 15th.  This is money the club gives to members to take classes or attend a symposium or workshop.  For more info click on Education > PHEOG.

Upcoming Events

  • Our Summer BBQ is planned in conjunction with the Colorado Woodworkers Guild. Time, date, and location TBD, but we’re looking at the last weekend in June or first weekend in July.

  • AAW’s 38th Annual International Woodturning Symposium

The AAW International Woodturning Symposium is the biggest and most well-known annual woodturning event in the world. 

Register by April 5 to save up to $120

May 23rd – 26th
Portland, OR
www.aawsymposium.org/portland

SWAT 32nd Annual Woodturning Symposium.

Get Ready!  SWAT 2024 registration is now open. Registration includes lunch all 3 days. Register by July 31st, after that prices are higher at the door.
August 23, 24, 25
Waco, TX
www.swaturners.org/

  • Rocky Mountain Woodturning Symposium.

    Registration is now open.  Every registration includes a T-Shirt and lunch on Saturday and Sunday. Early registration (before June 1) will be discounted. After August 31st, the price increases and T-Shirts are not available.
    September 27, 28, 29
    Loveland, CO
    rmwoodturningsymposium.com/

Upcoming Events

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