In this class, you will learn a boat-load of tips, tricks and core techniques that will convince you that hand tools—once properly setup, sharpened and handled—are not all that difficult to master or tedious to use and are anything but obsolete. Contrary to the “norm”, you will discover the pleasure of working wood with tools that don’t make noise, don’t make dust, and therefore don’t require you to protect yourself from them.
Over the course of the week, you will make (and take home with you) a selection of layout tools and workbench accessories that are essential to hand tool woodworking. With each project you will learn to choose the appropriate tools for the task at hand, set the tools up properly and practice the skills you’ll need to work as efficiently (and therefore as enjoyably) as possible. We order the projects to present progressively more challenging tools and techniques. In most cases, you will actually use the tool or accessory you just made to help build the next one. (You can the layout and bench tools in the last five images in the slideshow above.)
You will understand:
“The more power you apply to the process, the further you get from the product.” (from “Woodworking Wit and Wisdom” by Jim Tolpin)
Here’s what you will experience over the five days:
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Handsaws:
Handsaws: Learn efficient and accurate ripping and crosscutting tricks and techniques; How to build and use a shooting board to quickly true end cuts.
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Hand planes:
How to tune and sharpen a hand plane for maximum performance; how to efficiently dimension and smooth a board to a flat, mirror-like surface and with a straight and true edge. How to use specialty hand planes to make grooves, rabbets and profiled (molded) edges.
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Chisels:
Learn efficient techniques for chopping and paring with a razor-sharp chisel honed to the proper angle. Create simple jigs to ensure accuracy in joint-making.
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Joinery:
Gain practice with chisels and handsaws (plus some layout tools) to make a variety of basic joints, from a simple lap to a basic through dovetail.
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Curved work with hand tools:
Learn how to saw to a curved line with a frame saw (a hand-powered version of a bandsaw); smooth and true the curved edge with a compass plane; and shape the edge with a tuned and sharpened drawknife and spokeshave.
Class size: 10
Cost: $650
Materials Charge: $15
Please note:
Please note the dates for the September Course have moved out one week from the original September 13 start date.
