Introduction
We believe that all woodworkers should start woodworking by learning how to use hand tools.
Using a hand tool on wood builds an intimate relationship between the woodworker and the wood.
A hand plane does not cut well when pushed against the grain. Chisels cut very differently in hard woods and softwoods. The feedback is immediate and educational - you learn about wood from your first contact.
A thorough understanding of how to use hand tools effectively and efficiently will influence your decisions about how to grow and develop as a woodworker.
For example:
- Are you only making a couple of pieces of furniture each year? You may choose to set up a hand tool workshop like Jim Tolpin describes in his book The New Traditional Woodworker.
- The knowledge you gain from using hand tools will help you better understand the benefits of different woodworking machines. This will allow you to make better decisions about the types of machine you purchase.
- Confidence with hand tools will greatly expand your ability to create great furniture. You will be able to layout, cut and fit even the most complex joints and then add delicate decorative details.
Basics of Woodworking
The basics of woodworking are taught in this series of eight weekend classes is intended to give the beginning hand tool woodworker (or a beginning woodworker) a thorough introduction to working with hand tools.
These classes cover the use, sharpening and maintenance of hand tools; hand tool joinery; furniture construction techniques and traditional finishing techniques. The classes are sequenced in the order we think you need to learn the skills.
In addition to these eight classes, for the beginning w oodworker, we also offer two longer, more comprehensive classes, Handtool Heaven and Hand Tool Joinery Essentials.
Our Elephant Ladder class is open to participants with all skill levels, from beginner to advanced.
For these classes you do not need to bring your own tools - you may use the School's tools and use that experience to influence your purchasing decisions. If you have already acquired some hand tools please bring them along - you get even more from the courses.
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Using a hand saw is the first skill you need as hand tool woodworker.
| Next Class: |
October 5-6, 2013 |
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Learn to sharpen, tune and dimension boards with hand planes.
| Next Class: |
October 12-13, 2013 |
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Learn to layout and cut dovetails using handsaws and chisels.
Next Class: October 19-20, 2013
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Design and construction strategies for the hand tool woodworker. No math, no measurement.
Perhaps the most important class you can take as a hand tool woodworker.
Next Class: October 26-27, 2013
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Oil, wax and shellac have worked well for centuries. Simple finishes - straight forward techniques.
Next Classes: Planned for 2014
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Layout and cut a variety of mortice and tenons with hand saws and mortice chisels.
Next Classes: Planned for 2014
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Frame and panel construction solves wood movement problems and is a foundationof wood furniture construction.
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Putting it all together. Construction techniques for building free standing furniture.
Next classes: Planned for 2014
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Longer, more comprehensive basic woodworking hand tool classes cover more basic skills than the 2-day weekend classes:
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Jim Tolpin's signature class! Use a hand saw, chisels, and plane to dimension, finish, and join wood while making bench tools.
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• August 5-9, 2013 |
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Learn the joinery techniques and construction principles to build furniture using only hand tools. Dovetails, draw-bore mortices and tenons, and frame and panel construction.
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• August 12-16, 2013 |
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* Note: Frame & Panel Essentials, Carcass Essentials and Hand Tool Joinery Essentials require the level of knowledge you would have acquired in the earlier classes to complete the practical work. If you have the equivalent experience - for example having read Jim's book and completed the practical exercises in the book - you are ready for these classes.
