Connecticut Valley School of Woodworking, Woodworking Classes, Woodworking Courses, A place to Learn Woodworking - A hands-on woodworking school in Manchester, Connecticut, offering classes in furniture making, woodcarving, woodturning, furniture finishing and related crafts and artistic pursuits.
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2013 Winter thru Summer class schedule now available. |
Schedule of Classes - Spring- Summer - 2013:
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Walnut Jewelry Box
A hands-on course that covers the basic concepts of woodworking and furniture making. This eight session or four day class is a combination of demonstrations and hands-on practice. General shop safety (with particular concentration on using the tablesaw) is emphasized. Students will utilize the skills, techniques and tools (both power and hand-tools) being taught in the class in the making of a walnut jewelry box. This project could also be used to store a variety of other personal items. Skills learned will provide a strong foundation for subsequent furniture-making classes. Class size is limited to 12 students. Tuition: $355.00 plus materials ($59.00).
Section 050413A: Saturday & Sunday, May 4, 5, 11 & 12, 9:30am - 5:00pm
General tool list (will open in a new window)
(This class is a required prerequisite for other classes in the "Fundamentals of Furniture-making" series and has always proven worthwhile to beginner and advanced students alike.)
THIS CLASS IS NOT A REQUIRED PREREQUISITE FOR ANY OF THE OTHER CLASSES IN THIS SCHEDULE
Shaker Hall Table
An eight-session (or four day) class that is a continuation of the Woodworking I class. This class utilizes a combination of hand tools and power tools in the construction of a valuable piece of furniture. Techniques learned in the previous class are put to extensive use as more advanced techniques and skills are introduced. Mortise and tenon joints, grain matching, and using handplanes are a few of the new skills students will learn while making a cherry hall table as their project. Class size is limited, Woodworking I is a prerequisite. Tuition: $355.00 plus materials ($195.00).
A new class will be scheduled fall 2013
General tool list (will open in a new window)
Woodturning with Corey Anderson
This six evening class is designed for the beginning (or frustrated) woodturner and features extensive hands-on practice each night. Woodturning is a skill that requires some basic instruction and lots of practice. Students are turning on their own lathe most of each night of the class. Class starts with basic spindle and includes a few simple projects like a mallet and spinning tops. We then move on to face plate turning which includes some cherry and mahogany bowls and plates. Along the way we spend time learning about tool sharpening and general information about lathes, tools, chucks and various jigs used in woodturning. This is a great way to safely get into woodturning and gives you a good foundation for other more advanced turning classes and projects. Corey Anderson is the president of the Central Connecticut Woodturners Guild. Tuition: $295.00 plus materials ($49.00)
Section 041713B: Wednesday evenings, April 17 - May 22, 6:00pm - 9:30pm
Basic Woodturning with Corey Anderson
Many people have asked for a beginning turning class to be offered in a weekend format. This class will cover much of the same material as the six-night class but because of time constraints we will not be able to cover as much material in as much depth. The class will cover spindle turning, bowl turning and basic lathe use, safety and sharpening. Students will have the opportunity to make a number of spindle and faceplate projects during the weekend including a mallet, a bowl and a small plate or platter. This is a great introduction to the fascinating craft of woodturning. Tuition: $255.00 (plus materials: $32.00)
Section 051813B: Saturday & Sunday, May 18 & 19, 9:30am - 5:00pm
Making Turned Boxes and Lidded Containers with Corey Anderson
Turned wooden boxes are attractive, practical and make great gifts. They combine the skills from spindle, bowl and hollow turning. You can complete a turned box quickly and easily from inexpensive lumber and they are great projects that can really show off your creativity and imagination.
The class will cover wood selection, grain orientation and design considerations. Students will learn secure wood mounting, tool use and the importance of project planning and design. Corey will demonstrate various box styles and students will complete two or more boxes. Finishing techniques, decorative possibilities and variations on some basic designs will be an important part of this fun and unique class.
Don’t miss this exciting class, as you will be sure to have a great time. Tuition: $255.00 (plus materials)
Section 060813B: Saturday & Sunday, June 8 & 9, 9:30am - 5:00pm
(Pictured boxes were turned by John Lorch)
Take the Fear out of Finishing with Mike Pekovich
Every woodworker knows the joy and stress of putting that first coat of finish on a project. We all know that a finish can not only bring out the beauty of a piece, but it can also highlight every flaw. Add to that the wide range of dyes, stains and finishing products on the market and the finishing process can get down right scary. In this class, you’ll learn how easy it is to get the silky smooth, low-luster finish that is the hallmark of handcrafted furniture. The secret is to forget about all the dyes and stains and stick to a simple wiping varnish. But there’s more to it than following the instructions on the can. Michael Pekovich, art director of Fine Woodworking magazine, will show you a simple step-by-step process that will yield excellent results every time. The class will cover everything you need to know from preparing the surface to building a finish to final waxing.
In addition, you’ll get a hand-on lesson for a 10-minute shellac and wax finish that’s perfect for small projects and last-minute gifts.
Armed with these two simple techniques, you’ll be able to tackle every finishing challenge that comes your way. Sign up today- the woodworking project you save might be your own!!! Tuition $125.00 materials are included
Section 051113B: Saturday, May 11, 10:00am - 4:30pm
Five Week Intensive Furniture Making Workshop with W. Mickey Callahan
This new class is designed for the serious student who has both the time and the desire to commit to a comprehensive woodworking course of study. Starting in late October and finishing the week after Thanksgiving (we will take the week of Thanksgiving off) students will be guided through a series of comprehensive and fundamental training exercises systematically designed to help students develop and advance their woodworking skills in cabinet and furniture making. Completion of this course will enable students to work more independently on advanced and specialized techniques used in a vast array of furniture and cabinet making styles and designs.
The class will include design, drafting, reading and following plans, project organization, developing procedures, stock lists, and the basics of wood science. Tool maintenance and techniques, stock preparation, hand and machine cut joinery such as dovetails, mortise and tenon and variations on these joints and others will be covered with a strong emphasis on developing hand tool skills.
As the class progresses, you will begin to put your new skills to the test in the making of a large tool chest which will help apply and reinforce your newly developed skills, expertise, and confidence while still under the watchful eye of the instructor. The basic design of the tool box will be consistent but you will have many opportunities to customize your project to suit your own sense of design, preferences and tool requirements.
The school has an extensive inventory of top quality hand and power tools but you will probably want to start putting together your own set of hand tools. An important question that most students have is “what tools do I need and what makes one brand better than another” This and other questions will be discussed at length throughout the five weeks of instruction. Mickey Callahan is the founder and past president of The Society of American Period Furniture Makers. He taught furniture making at Boston’s prestigious North Bennett Street School and has written articles for Fine Woodworking Magazine, American Period Furniture Magazine and other publications along with doing commission period furniture work. Mickey is a frequent instructor here at CVSW. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn from a leading master in the field. Tuition: $1995.00 plus materials
Section 102813A: Monday - Thursday, October 28 - December 5, 2013 , 9:00am—4:30pm
No class week of November 25
General tool list (will open in a new window)
Build a Chapin Round Tea Table with Will Neptune
Tripod Tea Tables were popular in the 18th century because of their “bird-cage’ wooden mechanism. This allows the top to be displayed while tipped up and saving space. When in use, serving tea, cups could be filled and rotated towards guests seated around the table. In the 18th century Connecticut, some of the best furniture was built by makers from the Chapin family. The project for this class is based on a large Cherry Table in this Chapin Style.
For a woodworker, this project has several interesting features. You will learn how to cut and fit the housed dovetails joining the legs to the column. Sculptural shaping of the ‘snake feet’ will be taught using a systematic approach to achieve the naturalistic curves of the legs. Last, you will learn how to make the large round top with either a simple molded edge or a dished top, without access to a very large lathe. The turned central column will not be done in class. If you are a competent woodturner and want to do the turning your self before class we can supply you with the pattern, otherwise the columns will be turned by a woodturner we have used several times in the past.
This class is also a part of a unique restoration project we are working on in conjunction with the Windsor Historical Society. For more information on this see Be a part of Living History.
Tuition $895.00 plus materials
Section 031613A: Saturday & Sunday,
March 16/17, April 13/14, May 18/19 & June 1 & 2
This class was originally scheduled to beginning Feb 16
9:30am - 5:00pm
Image used with the permission of
the Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford, CT
General tool list (will open in a new window)
Build a Backsaw with Matt Cianci
In this two day class, professional saw smith Matt Cianci will guide students through the process of building a 12 inch backsaw - almost from scratch. Starting with a slotted brass back, a spring steel saw plate which has been punched to 14 points per inch, two brass split-nut fasteners, and their choice of hardwood stock for the tote, students will make a complete backsaw which will work as well if not better than most you can buy on the open market- and- you will have made it yourself! Instruction will begin with tote design and form, then progress through rough cutting, shaping and fitting. Students will then be guided through the critical steps of joining the brass back and the steel saw plate, and finish up construction with drilling and mounting the finished tote. Finally, students will be instructed how to file, set, and sharpen the 
teeth to the configuration they prefer- rip, crosscut or sash. This is a class sure to thrill novice through experienced woodworkers. We have set up with Bontz Saw Works to supply the necessary kits which have been made to Matt’s specifications. Students must purchase their complete saw kits in advance through Bontz Saw Works at their website: http://www.bontzsawworks.net/home/build-a-saw-kit/ Price for the kit is $65 + $13 shipping. Ask for the CVSW saw kit.
Don’t miss this great opportunity to make a saw that you can truly call your own
Tuition: $255.00
Section 072013B: Saturday & Sunday, July 20 & 21, 9:30am - 5:00pm
Gorgeous Gams & Foot Fetishes: Its all about the Legs and the Feet- A weekend of fun and inspiration with Glen Huey
Furniture legs and feet began as a simple way to bring box-like cases off dirt floors found in most 
homes, but they have grown to be so much more. With many pieces of furniture, the legs or feet play an important role in design. Is the shape of your cabriole leg correct? What is correct? Are your tapered legs a Shaker design, or are they a Hepplewhite design? And what is the best way to create ogee-bracket feet? What joinery options are used in period reproductions? All these questions are answered in a fast-paced weekend.
Class begins with a demonstration on how to extract leg and foot profiles from furniture photos or from SketchUp models and get them sized right – this step is very important to accurate designs. Next, select a cabriole leg design, make your pattern then saw and shape the leg. After a stop at a lathe, you'll learn what tools make shaping a leg easy and quick, and what areas are the key to repeatable accuracy – you want four legs that look the same, right? Class then moves to tapered legs as you learn three methods to perfect tapers – choose a method based on the tools available in your shop, or try something new. Discussion then moves to feet where you'll learn two distinctly different methods to create ogee-bracket feet, and you will learn why and when to use which method. After a few tips on bracket feet, we wrap-up the class discussing joinery methods used in period work. You walk away with examples made in class and a complete understanding of the intricacies of furniture legs and feet. Tuition $295.00 plus materials
Section 060813A: Saturday & Sunday, June 8 & 9, 9:30am - 5:00pm
Note- This class was originally schedule for 3 days - April 5 - 7
General tool list (will open in a new window)
Saw Sharpening 101 with Matt Cianci
This class is an introduction for woodworkers interested in learning how to sharpen their own handsaws and backsaws. The curriculum will cover jointing, filing teeth to uniform size and gullet depth, setting, and final sharpening. Topics discussed in depth will include the geometric and functional distinction between rip and crosscut teeth and how fleam and rake are combined to maximize the function of cutting along or across wood fibers. Proper file selection, filing technique, and saw vise requirements will also be discussed. No prior knowledge of saw sharpening is required. The class will be hands on with each student learning to sharpen a rip and crosscut saw. Students are encouraged to bring their own saw in need of sharpening to tune up during class.
Matt Cianci has been sharpening saws, rehabbing old saws and building new saws. His website and blog are at http://thesawblog.com/ Sign up today- This is sure to be a fun class! Tuition: $125.00 materials - Pay $15.00 directly to the instructor on the day of the class 
Section 030913B: Saturday, March 9, 9:30am - 5:00pm WAIT LIST!
Section 062213B: Saturday, June 22, 9:30am - 5:00pm
Yes Folks- There are more than 10 ways to cut Dovetails! With Bob Van Dyke
The great thing about running a national woodworking school is that I get to see the techniques of every different instructor who comes here to teach- and there have been a lot of them over the last 12 years!
In woodworking- like a lot of things- there is no one “right” way- there are bunches of different ways to accomplish the same thing and that is what this class is all about. I will not be telling you what I think is the "best" way- that is for you to decide- and you will have the opportunity to learn a number of different methods.
Cutting dovetails entirely by hand can be intimidating to a lot of people. When cutting dovetails I see students typically making the same mistakes and hitting the same stumbling blocks each time- so that is what we address to start; using a cutting gauge, paring to (and not beyond!) a line, cutting straight lines with a handsaw- and using a sharp chisel! These are all skills that you will practice (and hopefully master) in this class. But this class is much more than just cutting dovetails by hand. This class will show you a number of ways to make “handcut” dovetails that will only require a little bit of paring with a chisel to make them fit perfectly. We will be trying out techniques that use the tablesaw, a trim router, bandsaw, scroll saw and coping saw along with the traditional handsaw and chisels. The goal is to get you cutting great looking dovetails using a combination of machines and handtools until you are comfortable enough with the process that you realize doing it all by hand is not that big a deal! 
This class is a combination of demonstrations and hands-on practice. There is no project for the class- you will be working on a series of practice boards. It is great to see the difference between the first dovetail you make on Saturday and the last dovetail you make Sunday afternoon!
Router dovetail jigs like the Porter Cable or Leigh jig will NOT be a part of this class- I have no idea how to use those tools…
Sign up today and lose your fear of cutting dovetails once and for all.Tuition:$255.00 plus materials
Section 042913A, Monday evenings, April 29 - May 20, 6:00pm - 9:30pm
General tool list (will open in a new window)
Build a Fan Back Windsor Side Chair with Peter Galbert
Chairs are one of the most challenging objects to design and build.
In this hands on six day class you will work with green wood and hand tools to create one of the iconic forms of American furniture, the Windsor Chair.
This class covers all the action from tree to chair. Students will split parts from a log, shave them, bend them and join them into their hand carved seat. We will cover topics including sharpening, wood technology and design which will enhance your ability to go forth and make chairs at home.
Peter will demystify the angles and curves that go into making a successful chair while demonstrating how hand tools are the most effective way to build an heirloom chair. The legs will be provided for the students or they may turn their own before the class with instructor provided patterns. Be ready to work hard and learn a whole new way of woodworking.
The unique format of this class- two three day weekends- allows participants to take a break in the middle of the class (this is a lot of work!!) during which they can practice some of the skills being taught or make any new parts that they might be unsatisfied with from the first half of the class.
Sign up today- Peter is a great instructor and space is limited. Tuition $795.00 plus materials
Part of the work you will be doing will require the use of a shave horse.
We are planning a separate weekend class in May where students will have the opportunity to make their own shave horse (using Peter’s design). The school will also have a few shave horses that can be used (shared).
Section 071913A: Friday - Sunday, July 19 - 21 & August 23 - 25, 9:00am - 5:00pm
Build Peter Galbert’s “Smart Head” Shave Horse with Bob Van Dyke
In this two day production class students will build Peter Galbert’s Smart Head Shave horse. Peter has developed this as an improvement on the more common shave horse designs. Some parts will be made in advance of the class. If you are planning on taking Peter’s Fan Back Windsor Chair class later in July then you really should do this one as there will not be enough shave horses for everyone to work on at the same time (and you need one for yourself anyway!)
Tuition: $255.00 plus materials
Section 070613A : Saturday & Sunday, July 6 & 7, 9:30am - 5:00pm
Build the Eliphalet Chapin High Chest with Will Neptune
More info is coming
the class will start the weekend of September 28, 2013 and meet one weekend /month until October 25, 2014, We will not meet July and August 2014.
Making Gooseneck and Other Complex Moldings with W. Mickey Callahan
The thought of making curved moldings can be intimidating to many woodworkers- of all skill levels- but- like anything else, once you learn and understand the design and the procedures you need to follow, they are very doable using a combination of hand and power tools.
Curved moldings fall into four broad categories: arcs, S curve, elliptical, and compound curves. The S curve is also referred to sometimes as gooseneck and is a classical shape that is used as pediment moldings on case work such as period high boys and clocks, as well as over doors and fireplaces on classical architecture.Other complex moldings include combinations of two or more simple profiles to create a more dramatic and formal look such as flat crown or more involved combinations of crown, dentil, beads, coves, ovolo, ogee, and fillets.
This hands-on class will cover the aspects of design and pattern making utilizing various machine and hand tool methods along with shop-made jigs to make gooseneck and other complex moldings. Mickey will be using the construction of a Philadelphia highboy as well as other furniture and architectural examples to help students see and understand the importance of moldings in their work. Mickey is the founder and president of the Society of American Period Furniture Makers and makes custom period furniture out of his own shop in Massachusetts. Sign up today for this unique and informative class. Tuition: $255.00 plus materials
Section 050413A: Saturday & Sunday, May 4 & 5, 9:30am - 5:00pm
general tool list 
(will open in a new window)
Handplane Weekend with Bob Van Dyke
Handplanes can be one of the most useful and rewarding tools in the workshop – or they can be one of the most frustrating! Learn how to effectively use handplanes in your work with Ct. Valley School of Woodworking director, Bob Van Dyke. Which handplane is right for a particular job? What should you look for when buying a new or a flea market plane? How are they “tuned up”? And most importantly- how are they sharpened? These are just a few of the questions that will be answered in this exciting two-day class. We will also go thru many of the basic (and not so basic) types of handplanes- starting with the Stanley bench-planes and going on to compass planes, shoulder planes and combination planes like the Stanley #45 & #55. The second day will be spent getting your planes sharpened and tuned up so you can start practicing using it. Techniques such as smoothing a surface, beveling a table edge, planing a curved surface, shooting edge joints, using shooting boards, fitting mortise and tenons and planing end grain will all be included. Don’t miss this unique and informative class. Space is limited. Tuition: 255.00 plus materials
Section 052513A: Saturday & Sunday, May 25 & 26, 9:30am – 5:00pm
Woodcarving For Beginners with W. Mickey Callahan
Learning to wood carve can open up a whole new and exciting set of challenges and possibilities to both beginner and more experienced woodworkers. In this hands-on class, Mickey will introduce students to the basic concepts needed for any successful woodcarving project. Proper layout, tool selection, a logical sequence of carving steps, awareness of grain direction and most importantly, proper sharpening techniques, will all be covered in this new weekend class. After some basic practice exercises and sharpening drills students will begin work on a small wall plague featuring a classic floral motif that will illustrate the techniques being taught and give participants plenty of opportunity to practice. With just a few basic carving tools, (that will be used again and again in other carving projects), students will gain the knowledge and confidence to begin adding some carved ornamentation to their own woodworking projects. Mickey is a well known period furniture maker who has written articles for Fine Woodworking magazine, taught furniture making at the North Bennett Street School in Boston and is a founder and past president of the Society of American Period Furniture Makers. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from one of the best!
Tuition: $255.00 plus materials. Three or four specific carving tools will be required – please inquire when registering
Section 042713B: Saturday & Sunday, April 27 & 28, 9:30am – 5:00pm
Tool_list_Mickey_Callahan_beginning_carving.pdf
Blacksmithing & Toolmaking-with Walt Scadden
Tool making is probably one of the most useful skills that a blacksmith has and this new class will give you an appreciation of some of the techniques used. Students will learn the basics of shaping hot iron by making a small chisel or a center punch to start out. After that project is done it is time to move onto making a utility knife or a marking knife that you will find a thousand uses for in your shop. Shaping the tool steel, annealing and hardening the steel and finally grinding the cutting edge are just a few of the steps you will take to make a great tool that you can truly call your own. This fun class will give you a chance to try out blacksmithing, or polish your skills if you have taken past classes. Don’t miss it! Tuition: $255.00 plus materials
Section 080313B: Saturday & Sunday, August 3 & 4, 9:30am - 5:00pm
Carving in the 17th century style with Peter Follansbee
Join well known Massachusetts woodcarver, Peter Follansbee for this unique hands on class. In this two-day course, students will learn the steps and processes used to recreate carving patterns from seventeenth- century furniture of England and New England. Starting with a single gouge and mallet, we will focus on technique and posture. Also considered are proportions, spacing and the relationship between background and foreground in establishing the pattern/design.
Each successive practice pattern builds upon the previous example, adding more tools and concepts. We will incorporate hand-pressure, mallet work, and the use of the V-tool in outlining designs. A compass, awl and marking gauge are used to layout the geometric basis for each pattern, but freehand work is included in each as well.
A range of designs will be covered, all drawn from surviving examples studied in museum and private collections. A segment of the course will be devoted to a pattern Follansbee calls an “S-scroll” and multiple versions of it will be explored. Students will learn ways to combine and contrast these patterns, adapting them for use as furniture accents. Some designs are applicable as narrow framing parts, others as wider panel designs in joined furniture.
V-tool work, gouge work and shaping and modeling surfaces all will be addressed. Background punches will create a textured surface, offsetting the smooth texture of the original planed panels. Various shop-made punches highlight the carved designs. Painted backgrounds will be exhibited and discussed, but will fall outside the scope of this weekend workshop. 
The final project in the class will be a panel design utilizing many of the techniques shown in the initial exercises. This is the first in a series of Classes we will be doing with Peter. So if you are interested in this distinctive type of furniture and carving style then don’t miss this opportunity to work with one of the leading people in this field.
Tuition: $255.00 plus materials 
Section: 091413A: Saturday & Sunday, September 14 & 15, 9:30am - 5:00pm
Hone your handtool skills with Mike Pekovich
You can use power tools all day long, but you'll never know the true joy of the craft until you introduce hand tools into your woodworking. In this weekend class Mike Pekovich will take you through a series of skill-building exercises designed to boost competence and confidence using the essential hand tools. We'll focus on chisel, block plane, backsaw, spokeshave and scraper skills, and also take time to talk about getting truly sharp with each tool. You'll gain a better understanding of the geometry and ergonomics involved in making a hand tool work for you. The emphasis of this class is on making shavings not furniture parts, so there's no stress involved. The aim is to have fun and gain some skills and confidence with your tools that you can then bring to your woodworking projects. Mike is The Art Director at Fine Woodworking Magazine and is a truly gifted furniture maker and designer. He prefers to work with handtools when possible. This class will fill up quickly so don’t wait too long to get signed up.
Tuition: $255.00 plus materials.
Section 042713A: Saturday & Sunday, April 27 & 28, 9:30 - 5:00pm
Tool_list_Mike_Pekovich_Hone_your_handtool_skills.pdf
General tool list (will open in a new window)
Make a Pair of Shaker Oval Boxes with Doug Smith
Shaker Oval boxes are a rewarding project that do not take a huge amount of time, equipment or experience and are a lot of fun to make.
Doug Smith of Douglass Yankee Craftsman will spend two days teaching you the traditional Shaker technique of making fine Shaker Oval Boxes. In this two day beginning class each participant will make a number two and number three Shaker Oval box. You will learn how to hand carve the swallow tails, select the bands and secure them with the traditional clinch nails. One of the most interesting parts of the class is the steaming and bending of the wood to fit around the forms. Fitting the tops and working on the finish will round out your two days of rewarding funs. Sign up today- Space is limited. Tuition: $255.00 plus materials. 
Section 061513B: Saturday & Sunday, June 15 & 16, 9:30am – 5:00pm
General tool list (will open in a new window)
Hand Laid Carbon Fiber Workshop with Walt Scadden
The High-Tech explosion of the 21st century has brought about many advancements in design and product construction. Leading the list is a mysterious substance called Carbon Fiber. Originally developed for NASA and the Military, this ultra light weight, super strong material, can be formed into just about any shape. Using a blend of resin epoxies and composite fiber material, it has found its way into many civilian applications; race cars, motorcycles, sport aircraft, sports and recreational gear, and furniture to name only a few. This class will introduce students to this unique technique by showing them how they can simply, by hand, lay up layers of carbon fiber cloth to construct a desired shape, using common items to prepare the molds or forms. Some of you may have some prior experience and specific interest in this material and others may simply be curious and want to learn about a new material that can be incorporated into other projects. Either way- you will certainly have fun and learn a whole lot! Sign up today. Tuition: $275.00 plus materials
Section 060113B: Saturday & Sunday, June 1 & 2, 9:30am - 5:00pm
Build a 6-board Chest with Christopher Schwarz
One of the most enduring – but overlooked – American furniture styles is the so-called six-board chest. These useful and attractive boarded chests seem to violate almost every rule of wood movement, and yet they survive the centuries without a problem.
In this class, we’ll investigate how these pieces were constructed using hand tools only. We’ll explore how their designs were dictated by the material on hand. We’ll decode the operations required to build these chests with the fewest saw cuts, a tiny tool kit and very limited hours.
We’ll also pick up some skills along the way: Sticking moulding by hand, Cutting rabbets and dados with hand tools, Laying out classical shapes – such as ogees – using only a compass and learning to use cut nails properly.
In the end, every student will leave with a completed pine chest that is ready for paint (or your finish of choice).
Sign up today - this class will sell out soon. Tuition $325.00 plus materials
Section 080313A: Saturday & Sunday, August 3 & 4, 9:00 - 5:00pm
Fundamentals of Furniture-Making with Bob Van Dyke and Steve Kain
This popular five-day intensive hands-on class is an opportunity to concentrate on the basics of woodworking and furniture making. Each student will make a Shaker style cherry hall table, which is a perfect vehicle to practice the machine and hand-tool techniques that we teach in the class. Subjects covered include basic shop safety, machine use (with particular emphasis on the tablesaw, jointer and planer), using handplanes, card scrapers and chisels effectively to surface and hand-fit the mortice and tenon joints, handtool sharpening, making tapered legs and grain matching and gluing up a top. This class takes the place of Woodworking I & Woodworking II and provides a strong foundation for more advanced furniture projects. Tuition: $725.00 plus materials
Section 060312A: Monday - Friday, June 3 - 7, 8:30am - 5:00pm
General tool list (will open in a new window)
Build the Arts & Crafts Style “Hay Rake” Table with Mike Pekovich
If you love Arts and Crafts furniture and are up for a fun woodworking adventure, then this table is for you. Known as a "Hay Rake" table, it is based on a 1900's English design by Sidney Barnsley, one of the forefathers of the Arts and Crafts style.
Its timber frame joinery is a fun challenge and a welcome departure from typical furniture construction methods. In this 6 day class, we'll start by building the beefy base and pull it all together with draw-bore pins which make for rock-solid clamp free joints. We'll finish it off with a gracefully curved top for a table that will look great in a kitchen or dining room. The table is 36” wide and 6 feet long. We will be doing it in a few different species- so let me know what you would prefer when signing up. Most will be done in quartersawn white oak or cherry- but other species are certainly possible.
This table was featured on the cover of the June issue of Fine Woodworking magazine and was the subject of an excellent article by Mike Pekovich. Mike is the art director for Fine Woodworking magazine and makes beautiful Arts & Crafts Style furniture. His work can be seen at http://www.pekovichwoodworks.com/ This will be a great class and the table will be a welcome addition to any home. Sign up today. Space is limited. Tuition $795.00 plus materials
Section 061013A: Monday - Saturday, June 10 - 15, 9:00am - 5:00pm
General tool list (will open in a new window)
Chairmaking and Design with Jeff Miller
A chair is one of the most rewarding projects you can tackle, but it is invariably a project with many challenges. Jeff Miller, author of Chairmaking & Design, and the creator of some 35 different chair designs, will guide students through the challenges of "joined" chairmaking (in contrast with Windsor chairmaking or post and rung chairmaking) as we tackle this extremely comfortable and versatile chair. In this 6-day class, students will learn: straightforward methods for cutting and shaping curved parts, bent lamination techniques, strategies and techniques to deal with the angled mortise and tenon joinery and joinery on curves, and to deal with the critical issues of chair comfort and structure. General tool list (will open in a new window)
Back to TopBuild an Aurora Sofa Table in the Greene & Greene Style with
Darrell Peart
In this 6-day class students will build a mahogany Aurora Sofa Table. Although it’s called “Sofa Table” it would be perfect for an entry way, hall way or in the dining room. The design is by Darrell Peart but incorporates several Greene & Greene details including: Decorative breadboard ebony spline, the Blacker leg indent, Cloud lifts and square Ebony pegs. Darrell will also cover Bread board construction, Strategies for dealing with wood movement & Strategies for complex glue-ups.
While Darrell likes to keep things a little relaxed – he also strives to give individual attention and keep things going as well.
There should be plenty of time to learn new skills and to engage in good conservation on woodworking, design, and/or Greene & Greene. Don’t miss this opportunity to work with one of this country’s leading experts on Greene & Greene Style furniture. Sign up today. Tuition $795.00 plus materials
Section 061713A: Monday - Saturday, June 17 - 22, 9:00am - 5:00pm
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Build a Chippendale Style Chest of Drawers with W. Mickey Callahan
Making a period-style chest of drawers can seem at first to be an imposing furniture form for even the seasoned furniture maker. However in this class, students will be guided in the construction of a simple but elegant 18th century Chippendale-style chest of drawers evidenced primarily by its ogee bracket feet and choice of hardware.
This project contains all of the fundamental building blocks found in traditional, dovetailed case construction. Students will learn about drawer making and fitting, intricate application of dovetail and mortise and tenon joinery used in secondary structure, creating molded edge profiles for the top, bottom frame, and drawer fronts and the making of ogee bracket feet based on 18th century design. Much attention will also be given to wood movement properties and their relationship to construction techniques used in fine case furniture. Mickey will also touch upon traditional wood finishing techniques in the use of dyes, shellac and oil. Students will be given the choice of primary wood that will include mahogany, cherry, walnut or curly maple.
This class assumes that students have a basic familiarity in the safe and proper use of machine and hand tools and will be encouraged to complete a significant amount of the chest while in the class.
Sign up today. Tuition: $795.00 plus materials
Section 070813A: Monday - Saturday, July 8 - 13, 9:00am - 5:00pm
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Build a Connecticut Breakfast table with Will Neptune
Tables of this style were known as Breakfast Tables in the 18th century. When not in use, their leaves could be dropped to save space. Today this small table could serve many purposes and it’s simple but elegant look would fit in many homes. The project for this class is based on a Cherry table from the Chapin Group, a family of furniture makers who made some of Connecticut’s’ best work.
As a project this piece has several interesting challenges. Framing the table for a drawer and fitting it to the opening is a skill you will use in many other situations. Cutting and hinging the ‘rule-joint’, which allows the leaves to drop is another important skill. The last technical challenge is the fitting and joinery for the shaped and pierced stretchers. Building this unusual table is a chance to learn some important technical skills and expand your woodworking knowledge. Sign up today as this class will fill up soon. Tuition: $795.00 plus materials
This is the second class offered in partnership with the Windsor Historical Society. If you are interested in a chance to display your work in public and support this important Historical project, please see Be a part of Living History.
Section 072213A: Monday - Saturday, July 22 - 27, 9:00am - 5:00pm
Photo used with Permission Historic Deerfield
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Build a Fan Back Windsor Side Chair with Peter Galbert
Chairs are one of the most challenging objects to design and build.
In this hands on six day class you will work with green wood and hand tools to create one of the iconic forms of American furniture, the Windsor Chair.
This class covers all the action from tree to chair. Students will split parts from a log, shave them, bend them and join them into their hand carved seat. We will cover topics including sharpening, wood technology and design which will enhance your ability to go forth and make chairs at home.
Peter will demystify the angles and curves that go into making a successful chair while demonstrating how hand tools are the most effective way to build an heirloom chair. The legs will be provided for the students or they may turn their own before the class with instructor provided patterns. Be ready to work hard and learn a whole new way of woodworking.
The unique format of this class- two three day weekends- allows participants to take a break in the middle of the class (this is a lot of work!!) during which they can practice some of the skills being taught or make any new parts that they might be unsatisfied with from the first half of the class.
Sign up today- Peter is a great instructor and space is limited. Tuition $795.00 plus materials
Part of the work you will be doing will require the use of a shave horse.
We are planning a separate weekend class in May where students will have the opportunity to make their own shave horse (using Peter’s design). The school will also have a few shave horses that can be used (shared).
Section 071913A: Friday - Sunday, July 19 - 21 & August 23 - 25, 9:00am - 5:00pm
Build the Anarchist’s Tool Chest with Christopher Schwarz
Aside from a workbench, a sturdy tool chest is one of the most important things to have in your shop. It organizes and protects your tools from damage, rust and loss. While many woodworkers have attempted to improve upon the traditional chest design that emerged 300 years ago, the old form has remained the absolute best way to keep the most amount of tools in the smallest space.
In this five-day class you will build the shell of your own traditional tool chest using hand tools and techniques. This is an excellent first project for a new hand-tool woodworker. Skills you will learn in this class include:
• Truing up panels using bench planes
• Traditional through-dovetail joinery
• Cutting basic mouldings by hand
By the end of class you will have all the skills you need to complete the interior of the chest at your workshop at home, whether you want to make just a few sliding tills or even a full-blown interior cabinet with dovetailed drawers. Chris is a nationally known writer and instructor. He is a contributing editor to Popular Woodworking Magazine and has written a number of books, including The Anarchist’s Tool Chest. Sign up today! Tuition: $795.00 plus materials.
Chris is also teaching a two day "make a Six Board Chest" the weekend before. Check it out in the weekend and Specialty class section
Section 080513A: Monday - Friday, August 5 - 9, 9:00am - 5:00pm
Build a Traditional Cabinetmaker's Workbench with Bob Van Dyke
In this fast paced class students will have the opportunity to build the traditional cabinetmaker’s workbench they have dreamed about! Let’s face it- the benches we build in the school during the year are great (especially for the price!) but nothing beats working on a traditional workbench constructed entirely of 8/4 and 12/4 rock maple. A flat top, wide enough to accommodate most work (24”), wooden bench dogs to hold the work in conjunction with the end vise, a sturdy shoulder vise, a tool tray to keep the smaller tools you are working with in one place and about 300 pounds of dead weight all make this bench a pleasure to work on. The massive trestle base joined with wedged mortice and tenons knocks down for easier (relatively!) moving. This is a great project to further your woodworking skills and is a bench you will treasure for years and pass on to future generations. Sign up today- space is limited- and be ready to work hard! Tuition: $795.00.00 plus materials ($1395.00)
Section 082513A: Sunday - Sunday, August 25 - September 1, 9:00 - 5:00pm
(note: The bench we make in class does not include the drawers pictured here)
Build a Connecticut Dressing Table with Glen Huey
Seldom does a piece of furniture catch my eye and hold it, but that is exactly what happened when I first saw this Connecticut Dressing Table. I was taken in by the early period design of profiled moldings around the drawers and the deeply cut apron with turned drop pendents that state William & Mary in design. But cabriole legs are straight-up Queen Anne, so this piece is firmly placed early in the period. This dressing table is well made as evidenced by the cock-bead along the apron cut-outs, but the interior workings are unique and simple; even the drawers indicate an early age due to thin parts and applied bottoms.
In this six-day workshop we will discuss the importance of lumber selection to the overall look of your project. You'll learn secrets to better cabriole legs as hand-tools are used to shape the design, and you'll develop a full understanding of mortise-and-tenon joinery. Of course the drawers are built using hand-cut dovetails and you'll further enhance your project with sliced, shaped and applied cock bead. Patterns are made for the legs, and for the apron and case sides as you learn the "dos and don'ts" of pattern routing. This is the perfect class to further develop both hand and power tool usage in the workshop.
Tuition $795.00 plus materials
Section 090313A: Tuesday - Sunday September 3 - 8, 9:00am - 5:00pm
Image used with the permission of
the Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford, CT
Bequethed by Karl C. Kulle
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Testimonials
7/2/2012
Hi Bob,
Just a quick note to thank you and Will for an excellent experience in the Chapin Class. I had to be home early and was not able to properly thank you for the additional time on Sunday. I have learned a lot in this class as I have in all of your programs. I’ll see you in the fall.
John
12/12/2011
Bob,
Do you have contact info for Will Neptune?
I was really happy to share his enthusiasm and energy. This was a truly inspiring weekend.