What are the best one-week or weekend woodworking classes/courses with an emphasis on hand tools in the country? I’m a self-taught woodworker. The more I learn, the more I realize I don’t know. I’d like to start filling in some of the gaps in my skill set with quality instruction. Unfortunately there appears to be nothing in my home city, Houston. But I’ve got frequent flier miles galore and will travel anywhere.
Here are some specifics about what I’d like to learn (not necessarily in one class).
(1) Veneering/marquetry/inlay (using both hide glue and veneer hammer as well vacuum press).
(2) Architectural/period furniture carving.
(3) Case work construction with hand tools.
(4) tool making
In case it isn’t apparent, I’m particularly interested in period furniture and techniques.
My online research has turned up classes organized by Lonnie Bird and Ernie Conover that seem to fit the bill. Has anyone had experience with them? Any other suggestions?
Replies
Houston,
Check out this thread for lots of good ideas.
http://forums.taunton.com/fw-knots/messages?msg=31135.1
Rennie
A man is a fool if he drinks before he reaches the age of 50, and a fool if he doesn't afterward.
Frank Lloyd Wright
I've taken excellent classes from Allan Breed and from Phil Lowe.
I don't know these guys, but check out the workshops at the North Bennet Street School (nbss.org). If you can spend any time in Boston, check the schedule for Fundamentals of Fine Woodworking. Amazing. Really, I've taken several workshop there, and I have never been disappointed. And you know what - whenever I screw something up because I get a touch of Norm disease, I go back to what they taught me, and things turn out all right.
HH
I'm a native Houstonian exiling in Humble--I am enrolled in the woodworking essentials class at Lonnie Bird's next April. Should be a great vacation for me, and I owe my spouse big time! I'll let you know how it goes. BTW, do you shop at Clarks Hardwood, and if so, do you like them? I've only shopped at Houston Hardwoods locally. Good place, good folks, but Clarks is closer, plus I love the Heights. Tom
Thanks. I look forward to hearing about your experience at Lonnie Bird's school.
I frequent both Clarks and Houston Hardwoods. In general, Clarks has a larger selection of species. But I find that for most woods, Houston Hardwoods's prices are better. If nothing else, stop by Clarks just to see how much stock they have. Then stop and Onion Creek for a beer.
Will do. Where's Onion Creek?"Notice that at no time do my fingers leave my hand"
Arnold Champange in San Francisco holds classes that focus on the skills you've discussed. He doesn't have the marketing that some others have, but I've heard he has excellent skills and is a good instructor. I can't comment from personal experience.
Another good school is Homestead Heritage (near Waco). They have a class (1 week) where you learn how to cut dovetails, M&Ts, and Dado joints using only hand tools. You end up building three projects (arched shelf, shaker candle box, occasional table). After you finish this class, you can take other classes that they offer, one or two of which consist of making tools. You can also design your own classes.
I would highly reccommend it. But, if your skills are pretty well developed already, I'm not sure if going through the initial class would make sense. Depends on your skill level.
mark
Check out Marc Adams School of Woodworking. The techiniques you want are taught there in one week courses, depending on who is teaching. I've been to 5 and learned a lot each time. There are usually 2 different classes running simultaneously where you can also learn somethings from the other class.
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