Woodturning in Tunbridge Wells

[Zeddedhed]

I'm about to throw myself headlong onto the slippery slope that is woodturning, and was wondering if any of know of a club close to Tunbridge Wells.
The idea is to go along and join, meet some experienced turners, get advice about kit etc and start learning technique.
I could just go and buy a lathe and some tooling, chuck a lump of wood on the lathe and see what happens, but I'll probably end up doing myself an almighty injury or something similar.
Due to the sale of some unwanted bits and pieces (internal organs, children etc) I have a budget of about £2k to get started, and am firmly in the 'buy the best gear you can afford' camp. I don't mind if the lathe I end up with is bigger/better than I need. I do mind if I get a cheap bit of rubbish and it frustrates me at every turn (no pun intended)
Any Kent based turners who would happy to give me some advice and show me their kit will be well rewarded with hours of my stimulating company and dazzling wit, along with a beer or three.

Pete

 

[Rhossydd]

Consider attending short course in turning to get you started. Most are pretty hands on and you'll get a good grounding in everything from safety, sharpening, spindle and faceplate work. Just two days of good tuition will really give you a massive head start if you've not done any turning before.
Axminster do some courses in Sittingbourne (£225 for 2 days) which could be commutable for you, or there are others that are even cheaper scattered round the country. I did a course at Peter Childs in Essex, cheaper than the Axi course, but I had to pay for a B&B.

 

[cedarwood]

here is one for you
KENT WOODTURNERS
Secretary: Mike Lightwing
Telephone: 01732 460985
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: www.kentwoodturners.com
Meetings: 1st Tuesday evening and 3rd Saturday all day of each month
Venue: The Brocard Room (next to the Pottery) The Friars, Aylesford, Nr. Maidstone, Ken

 

[WillRiseley]

Ima. Bit far away on the isle of Sheppey but am happy to let you try some basics out and show you what I know