More Than A Drill: Understanding the Flex Shaft with Andy Cooperman
So you're a jeweler, metalsmith, or maker about to be stranded on a desert island. Now, you can bring only one tool.... What do you bring?
If you were Andy Cooperman, you'd most likely bring your Flexible Shaft Machine. (Along with coconuts, this island inexplicably has electricity.) Maybe the most versatile tool at the bench, this champion of rotary tools is, for many, underutilized and poorly understood.
Here's your chance to gain a deeper understanding of this marvelous tool and expand your vocabluary of flex shaft techniques and applications. This two-day version will cover the basic machine itself- from the motor, down the shaft to the speed control and handpiece- and will discuss and demonstrate the use of bits, burs, grinding, shaping, finishing, and polishing aids!
More Than a Drill is a mix of demonstration and real-time xperience, so expect to get your hands dirty exploring some of the techniques and tools addresses- and some eye opening innovative tricks as well!
From foot pedals to hand pieces, burs to bits, this 2-day hands-on class will open doors onto a new understanding and appreciation of this amazing tool. Through a mix of lecture, demo and real-time exercises you'll come to really grok the Flexible Shaft Machine.
Don't miss this incredibly insightful and valuable workshop with Andy Cooperman!
This course is available as an in-person workshop. Please check this page for times and formats available.
A kit of materials is $35 and payable directly to the instructor.
Tools.
Classes at our school include use of tools, with each student having their own bench to use during class. Feel free to contact us with any questions.
For this class, please feel free to bring any flex shaft bits or burs or other attachements that you aren't sure how to use or what they are! If you have any pieces or samples that you'd like to use to practice techniques with, bring those as well.
Prerequisites:
Students should have previous experience with a flexshaft or similar style tool. A basic understanding for jewelry techniques is strongly recommended.
Instructor:
If a class is online, or is a combination online and in-person session, all students receive a link to a recording of the class demonstrations. In-person only workshops are not recorded. For staff instructor classes, students have access to the recordings for one year. For guest instructors, access is 30 days.
If a kit is included with the class, online students will have them mailed to them. Kits for in-person students are delivered at the beginning of the first class. More information about the kit is included with the supplies list which is emailed after registration.
International students may be charged an additional amount for shipping, because of the increased cost to ship abroad. Also, shipments to other countries may incur a tariff payable by the student. International students are welcome to contact us re: these costs and options for their materials. Please be sure that the address with your payment is the correct one for shipping.
If this class is offered online, it uses the Zoom app/website. Through Zoom, you’ll be able to see demos and follow instructions, ask questions and interact with your instructor. Zoom is easy to use and free for students to use for class, and works on most devices, like phones (iPhone, Android, etc), tablets (iPads, etc), and computers (Mac or PC).
Your instructor is also available during free Zoom office hours for questions and help.
For classes that include work time, online students work at home or in their studio. All of our recommended tools and the kit materials are chosen to be home studio friendly. Links to preferred vendors are provided in the supplies list sent after registration. Some classes, like our short demo only classes, don't require tools or materials to attend.
There are no requirements regarding COVID at this time.
As always, we clean and disinfect shared tools and benches after each class.
If you have tested positive for COVID, have symptoms that could be COVID, or feel ill, please don't come to class. Contact us for more information.
And now the fine print. Payment in full for class fees is due at the time of registration to reserve your place. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and PayPal. Checks and cash are accepted only if you register at school. If you mail a check, your registration is not processed until it clears and the class may fill during the wait.
If the workshop is canceled by our school for any reason, all class fees will be refunded, or you can transfer to another class, or you can keep a credit on account with us for future classes or purchases,
Students can cancel, receive a credit or refund, or transfer to another class up to 21 days before a workshop, whether it is online or in person. No cancellations are accepted after the 21-day deadline, however, we will do what we can to try and sell your place to a qualified student. If we can sell your place, you can receive a refund less a $50 cancellation fee, keep a credit on account with us, or apply your fees towards a transfer to another class.
If you can’t make it to class, you may send a participant who has the necessary prerequisites in your place. Please call or email us immediately with any changes in the student participant information. If a class includes an online section, your class will be recorded and you can watch later to make up a class you miss.
Students must be at least 15 years old to attend a class, and students under 18 must have a legal guardian sign our liability waiver form. We have had younger students attend classes, on a case by case basis. If you’re interested in enrolling your child, please call or email us.
If you sign up for a class and fail to have the required prerequisites as listed in the class description, you are still subject to the 21-day cancellation policy, listed above.
Lodging and meals are not included for in person classes.
If you don't come to class, there are no refunds, credits or transfers.