This class was originally scheduled for September 25 & 26. Due to scheduling changes of a family nature, we have had to move this class to October 9 & 10. We appologize for any inconvenience.
This two day course covers the basic hand tools used in fine furniture making. Students will learn how to determine a good tool from a bad tool, what tools are really necessary for furniture making, how the tools work, how to sharpen and care for the tools and how to use the tools properly and safely. This course is a pre-requisite course for our Journeyman's and Masters' courses.
Students will make a series of small, useful items using only hand tools. Students will also cut,by hand, several basic woodworking joints. All materials for this class are supplied for the students.
This course is a pre-requisite course for our Journeyman's and Masters' courses.
Each student must supply his, or her, own: safety glasses and hearing protection; combination or machinist square; bevel gauge; bench chisels; carvers mallet; backsaw; marking gauge; smooth plane or jack plane; block plane; and tape measure or folding rule.
This course will take place on October 9 & 10, 2010(Saturday & Sunday). The shop opens at 8 am. Class begins at 9 am. A coldcut lunch and soft drinks are provided. Class ends at 4:30 pm. The shop remains open until 6 pm.
This course is limited in size to a maximum of 6 students.
Class Reviews:
"My expectation for the class was to learn about the care and use of hand tools, the technique to hand cut dovetail joints and learn as much as I could from you and other class members about woodworking. I am pleased to report that all my expectations were met. I am always amazed that the early furniture craftsmen used only hand tools to create the furniture we see in museums today.
Your approach to woodworking, that is to keep the process as uncomplicated and simple as possible, is truly refreshing to me. One can read books and magazines, watch videos and look at alleged step by step photographs of a process, but until one physically touches and performs the steps, the work is mystifying (at least to me). For example, sharpening plane irons and chisels always seemed to require a sharpening jig. You taught us how to sharpen without a jig that is very effective. This discussion of wood characteristics (straws and how they come to the surface of wood boards) and species characteristics was very informative.
I really liked your willingness to share the knowledge you gained during your years of experience. I also very much appreciated that, since I am new to woodworking and did not have the tools required, the school is willing to lend tools to the students. By using the tools at the school I am now in a position to select tools for my beginning wood shop." - Jay Kretzler, Virginia
"This is a great class to learn all the basics about hand tools. From how to sharpen them to how to adjust the blade depths on your hand plane for the proper cutting. It a great place to ask questions and try things you have never done before like hand dovetails. I know it's hard to believe he teaches Hand cut dovetails but Chuck has a simple way to break it down that is easy to follow time and time again when your not in his shop but at yours at home. You will be able to do this at home after the class. This is a great basic hand tools course with limted students so you get a lot of one on one time with Chuck. Thanks for a great class and I can't wait to take another." - Bart Trainer, Pennsylvania
