here is an open invitation to all about “fine woodworking” schools
i’m trying to figure out what separates a good woodworking school from a great school. what are the specific criteria, i.e. emphasis on hand tools, how long has the school been around, affiliation with a trade union, etc.. that you should look for in selecting a school.
also, i’d like some feedback from those who have attend a formal school (not your local YMCA – not that there is anything wrong with the local – Y) did you like / hate / wanted more of etc..
by formal I’m referring to a school (New England School of Architectural Woodworking for example) that has a program in fine woodworking that is taught by an instructor.
my objective is to formalize my self-taught scattered knowledge, break my bad habits and take it to the next level.
Replies
Are you asking about long or short term curricula?
JIMM. - as for long or short term curricula - i'm interested in short intensive courses lasting several weeks, rather than a college program.
not in search of an AA or BS, just an intensive hands on course to focus on the basics of hand tools more than "factory" machinery work...
I'm an alumnus of The Center for Furniture Craftsmanship in Rockland, Maine which has just undergone a major expansion to add several intensive programs to its menu of one- and two-week courses, not to mention many shorter ones. Check them out on line at [email protected]. This is a serious woodworking school with its own campus, classrooms (containing benches, machines and handtools), gallery and artists-in-residence along with both fulltime and guest instructors. Ask them for a schedule with course descriptions. It's nationally recognized.
Dear new_wood:
In the interest of full disclosure, I am on the baord of trustees of the North Bennet Street School in Boston. I think it would meet your decription of a "fine woodworking school." They have a two year fulltime program in cabinet and furniture making and have turned out some of the finest furniture makers in America. In addition, they have a workshop program that offers courses from one day to two weeks. I have taken about 6-7 workshops totaling 10-12 weeks. The first one I took was a two week course (I think I took it two evenings a week for 10 weeks) and learned the fundamentals of fine woodworking: tuning up tools (including really sharpening and tuning up chisels, planes and marking gauges), layout out and executing joints to a very high standard, etc. Subsequent courses included carbiole legs, veneering, finishing, ornamental carving, darfting for furniture makers, etc. I started two years ago from a standing start and am now finishing a Chippendale slant-lid desk in mahogany, a reproduction of a well know Townsend piece.
To me the difference between the Y and a real school, is you learn the real fundamentals upon which everything else is based. Your work is also critiqued by top notch professionals and educators. You end up realixing the level of workmanship that is possible. That was huge to me.
Best wishes
Stephen J. Gaal
New Wood,
I couldn't begin to list all fo the positive attributes of the cabinet and furniture technology (CFT) department at Palomar College in San Marcos, California (north of San Diego between Oceanside and Escondido).
They have an excellent staff, offer more than fifty different woodworking classes, from veneering and carving, to chairmaking and timber framing.
Sam Maloof is a big fan of our school - as are our hundreds of dedicated students.
http://www.palomar.edu/woodworking
In addition to semester-long classes in which students can earn college credits, CFT also offers abbreviated non-credit community services workshops.
Check it out - you won't be sorry!
Paul
Hey Jazzdogg, this sent me back down memory lane! And the program looks like it has developed nicely. I took some classes there in the 70's while struggling through academics, working, and raising a family. One semester I was the only non-retired Marine collecting GI benifets in the class. I'm now in New York's Finger Lakes area and there is nothing that comes close to Palomar's programs not to mention the costs (very low). Palomar also has a world class ceramics studio.
Thanks for the flashback (they're not all so good)
Norse
Edited 12/5/2003 6:56:52 AM ET by Norse
I attended a 16-week program in Eugene, Oregon. I won't mention the name of the place, as it no longer exists, and I wouldn't recommend it if it did. The instructor was FANTASTIC; shame about the administration....
Before atending the program I had come about as far as I was going to get by teaching myself. I'd watched a bunch of PBS, read many a book, browsed many a forum. But I knew if I were to get over the hump I'd need a bit of one-on-one instruction.
There were only four students in the program, which was great. Classes were from 9 - 5 Monday through Friday, with Saturday and some evenings optional. We started by building a small cabinet, utilizing hand tools, while honing marking, measuring and cutting skills. We touched on every aspect of furniture making during the course, including design skills, furniture history, geometry, as well as the requisite woodworking skills of Veneering, laminating, turning, carving, wood selection, steam bending, etc.
I am a better furniture maker because of this course. But if I had to do it over again, things I'd look for in a program would include: One jack-of-all-trades instructor or several experts in different fields? How long have they been around? Do I need/want a diploma? Are there any lawsuits pending against the jerk who is running the place? Is the program set in stone or could there be changes in the cirriculum based upon the needs/desires of the class?
The best part of the entire experience, in my mind, was that for a period of 16 weeks, I lived, breathed and ate FURNITURE. I was around other passionate woodworkers every day, all day. I learned as much from my fellow students as I did from the instructor. I have hopes of forming some sort of group workspace co-operative just to recreate the nurturing and inspirational atmosphere I enjoyed during furniture school.
I did not attend any schools but I have heard great things about north Bennett.
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