Replies

1. 
   chills1994 | Jan 16, 2005 09:19am | #1

   i really think the true current masters of furniture making and/ or cabinet making won't be too keen about taking on someone.

   this whole woodworking thing is kinda a solitary alone thing.

   (don't ever confuse cabinet maker with somebody who builds cabinetry, i'd trust a c.m. to fix an heirloom secretaire, but a cabinetry guy, well, not to knock anybody reading this here, different story)

   but if you do get some oldtimer to take you in expect to do some really grunt mindless work, at first.

   it definitely won't be "here sean, take this block of rosewood and carve a flame finial."

   my best piece of advice would be to read and study old books and magazines,

   check out http://www.sapfm.org.  that's the society of american period furniture makers website.

   then check out http://www.thebestthings.com website  books by Vandall, Greene, Gottshall, Blackburn, Joyce, not to mentions how to videos you can buy.

   and you always check out classes at your local woodworker's store or at your community college.

   maybe there is some wood related stuff thru the Chicago Art Institute or some school or art and design.

   if you're capable of shelling out some bucks there's North Bennet Street School, College of the Redwoods, Rochester (school of design?), Rhode Island (design school?)  (RIT or RISD)

2. 
   notDusty | Jan 16, 2005 08:07pm | #2

            sean ,

     Yes , I think it is a good idea that you want to learn from a journeyman professional instead of a carpenter that makes some cabinets. Apprenticeship programs are few and far between. Reading books is a great idea it will never hurt you , but will not give you the experience of hands on you desire . Maybe you can find a shop out there that would allow you to offer your help for free , just to learn .A smaller shop would be more likely to agree to this and may actually need a bit of help now and then. Of course you will do menial tasks at first , so do medical interns , no brain surgery in the first few weeks .I served a 2 year apprenticeship in a Father son shop.It was my lucky break in life.I started sweeping the floor , then used hand tools and fist off learned to sharpen a chisel and other tools. The next most important thing to learn was to draw a picture of what it is you want to build.Then slowly and with much supervision machines came into the picture.For me and some others seeing a task performed in the hands of a skilled worker helped more than any other. You can read a book on how to play the guitar , but when you are done you still can't and have never played the guitar.

          hang in there and good luck       dusty

1. 
   chills1994 | Jan 17, 2005 09:13am | #3

   just how many "masters" are out there that know how to carve ball and claw feet and do it on a regular enough basis to make money off it?

   ( a better question would be:  is there a large enough population of discriminating clientele that would be willing to pay for such a product?)

   okay, realistically, do you think those guys are gonna use their valuable shop time to hold your hand and teach you to carve a shell for a block front?

   i don't know if 18th century reproductions is what turns your crank.  or if you want to make kitchen cabinets.

   i would say that turning out reproductions like those would be the high mark of a cabinetmaker's skill.  akin to a doctoral dissertation.  maybe that is what you strive for.

   maybe you can work out an arrangement with a shop.  one hour of cleanup equals one hour of intense instruction.

   i'm just suggesting the book and video route because it is educational and inspirational.  those glossy pictures make you want to learn how to make half blind rabbetted dovetails by hand. 

   of course watching and reading won't make you a master at woodworking or guitar playing.  you'll actually have to have access to a guitar, or in this case a shop full of tools.  and then practice.

3. 
   jwnyc | Jan 17, 2005 02:32pm | #4

   Check your local schools, includkng community colleges. Here in new York Mario Rodriguez teaches at FIT.

   You have to join to o get access to it but the furnituresociety.org has a program to match apretices with masters

4. 
   mike4244 | Jan 23, 2005 07:47pm | #5

   Sean, I think that's an excellent idea. Contrary to a couple of posts I believe there are a lot more than a few woodworkers that would be willing to help. If you move to Mays landing N.J. I'll do it.If you are a union carpenter, ask some oldtimers at a union meeting. I'm retired and have my own shop, I'll bet there are plenty of cabinet makers and carpenters in your area that would be glad to help.

   mike

5. 
   JeffHeath | Jan 28, 2005 02:13am | #6

   Sean

   Where in Chicago do you live?  You really didn't state how much experience you have, and what direction you wish to take your woodworking in.  If you want to build furniture, or if you want to learn to make cabinets, or both.  If you want to take classes, I can recommend an instructor who has quite a few beginning woodworking classes, as well as some 'intermediate' skill level classes.  Let me know if you're interested, and I'll hook you up with him.

   Jeff

1. 
   SeanB2 | Jan 28, 2005 07:17am | #7

   Hi Jeff-

   I live in east lakeview near belmont harbor.  I've been pursuing woodworking as a hobby for the past few years.  So far, I've built four pieces of furniture.  I've  always been very artistic and have found wood to be the most fun to work with because of its natural beauty and functionality.  I'm interested in learning furniture making from someone with experience because so far I've been teaching myself by reading and through trial and error.  Although my results have been good,  I know my progress will continue to be very slow while working on my own.  My ultimate goal is to make museum quality furniture of original design.  Any help or advise is greatly appreciated.

   Thanks-Sean

6. 
   RickL | Jan 28, 2005 07:04pm | #8

   Look at the site http://www.furnituresociety.org

   You interested in studio art furniture, the wild modern stuff or traditional furniture? You should be studying design as well. Check out American Craft and http://www.cambiumbooks.com You can learn it all from books and trial and error as well. You could always take classes. I really don't think the master woodworkers want to work nights or weekends unless they are behind on a deadline.