Build a 17th Century Joined Chest with Peter Follansbee
Join nationally known carver & joiner, Peter Follansbee for this unique opportunity to be a part of Connecticut history as we continue our study of 17th and 18th century furniture of the Connecticut River Valley. This class will focus on the techniques used in the 17th century to make a joined chest, entirely with handtools. These carved chests were made by joiners, using oak riven, or split, from a log. Frame and panel construction and mortise and tenon joinery are the hallmarks of this work. The project will be based on a Connecticut River Valley example; we will also explore related objects through slide presentations, to better understand the context of joiner’s work. We will begin with oak we’ve split from a large-diameter oak log, and hew and plane the stock to size. Layout, carving, joinery and drawboring assembly will be focal points of this exciting class. The beveled panels will fit in grooves plowed with a plow plane - a traditional joiners’ approach. Be prepared to work- there will not be any machines in this class!
This class will meet one weekend per month for 5 months. Class time will consist of numerous demos, learning and practicing the carving and joinery on practice pieces before diving into the actual pieces and exploring the historical aspects of 17th century joinery and furniture making. It is expected that a large part of the actual carving and joinery will be completed in your own shops at your own pace. Please don’t expect that you will be able to build the whole chest during class time only. The secondary wood will be sawn pine which will become the chest’s bottom boards and lid, and some of the parts for the small lidded till included inside the chest.
This format works well as you get the chance to practice the techniques and get Peter’s feedback in class before you begin on the actual parts that will become part of the finished chest. As an added bonus we will schedule a trip to the Yale Furniture Study in New Haven in order to study the numerous examples of carved chests in their collection. This is a hand-tool class; planes, chisels, saws - a simple tool kit is all that is required. Be prepared to learn some great skills, build a great reproduction of a 17th century Connecticut chest and have a great time doing it! Sign up today! Tuition: $1295.00 plus materials
Section 100116A Saturday & Sunday, October 1 & 2, November 5 & 6, December 3 & 4, January 7 & 8, February 4 & 5 (2017), 9:30am – 5:00pm
Note: The class will tour the Yale Furniture Study, Friday afternoon, November 4. We will have the opportunity to study a number of original joined chests in teh Gavin collection
Tool_list_Peter_Follansbee_Joined_chest_no_carving_tools.pdf
