Replies

1. 
   Timberwerks | Oct 15, 2002 07:59am | #1

   Silver

   When I taught classes at a local Woodcraft one of the class favorites was a bookcase based on the v shelf bookcase featured in the Taunton book. It is a great way to get newcomers excited about woodworking. Plus over a weekend course they can take home a very attractive and usefull project. Another class that had high interest is a simple raised panel cabinet. Both of these are great for beginers because they will learn how to use the basic tools in woodworking  and build confidence for more invoved projects.

   Dale 

1. 
   silver77 | Oct 15, 2002 08:31am | #3

   Bingo, timber -2 great ideas. Could you give me a few more details on the v shelf bookcase?

   A raised panel cabinet like a vanity or something about that size...right on.

   thanks,

   silver

1. 
   LeeEschen | Oct 15, 2002 10:33am | #5

   Silver, the shelves in a V-shelf bookcase are actually 2 pieces of wood, at 90 degrees to each other and 45 to the horizontal. The books sit at a 45 with the spines displayed upward at 45.

   These bookshelves are usually short, only 2 shelves and used like end tables. They are meant to display the book titles to someone seated in a chair or at the end of a sofa, looking to the side. They are frequently made knockdown, using tapered pins to lock a tenon through the sides, like an old pair my wife has.

   There are a couple of variations on these in the book Building Arts and Crafts Furniture by Kemner & Zdila, along with several other Arts and Crafts furniture projects, many, like these V-shelf bookcases, at a beginner level. You can find it at:

   http://www.cambiumbooks.com/books/arts_and_crafts/0-8069-9418-5/

   --

   Lee in Cave Junction, Oregon

   On the Redwood Highway

2. 
   Timberwerks | Oct 15, 2002 03:40pm | #7

   Silver

   If you Email me your address I can send you plans for the bookcase. You can use biscuts or through mortise and tennons to assemble. This will be up to the skill level of your class and also your time scheduale. The raised panel class I did was actually a small wall hanging cabinet about the size of a medicine cabinet. The main focus of the class was the raised panel. It seems that beginer woodworkers are a little confused by stile and rail bits and how to adjust them for the cuts. Also the horizontal panel bit is a bit intimidating to them. So my focus was to get them to be confidident at the router table. Also the store wanted to demostrate the use of a Kreg jig. We had a few classes woodworking with mainly hand tools but the more popular ones are where the students get to use as many power tools as possible, then they are ready to learn how to use planes, scrapers,dovetail saws etc.

   Dale

   [email protected] 

2. 
   riverr1 | Oct 15, 2002 06:16pm | #10

   As basic as this sounds, I still had to learn most of it from trial and error:

   The proper use of fasteners; what, when and where!

   Don

1. 
   slem2 | Oct 15, 2002 07:43pm | #11

   I know it is not basic WW but I would like to attend a class to learn about everything that can be done with a router.

         BT

1. 
   RSRose | Oct 15, 2002 08:32pm | #12

   BT,

   There are many who consider the router to be one of the basic tools of woodworking. I do.

   It's gotten to be such a part of the craft that the joke now goes that the first thing a beginner must be taught is, "No you can't use the router to do everything."

   Rich

2. 
   Vibart2 | Oct 15, 2002 08:19am | #2

   I think more about working with hand tools. Cutting Dovetails both blind & through. Proper chisel technique. Proper layout, measuring techniques. One thing that some people need is to be able to do is design a small project from inception to beginning steps of getting it down on paper & what needs to be figured out as far as joints, what will & what won't work in each case. Where to use glue & where not to use glue. Proper fasteners from biscuits, nail screws, dowels & where to use them. I could keep going on. I could have a lot of fun in a class like this & learn a lot too. Some of these I already do but could do better. I think most people could get better at these skills & it would make their woodworking experience much more accurate & enjoyable

1. 
   silver77 | Oct 15, 2002 08:49am | #4

   Right on Bart, 2 good ones:

   Cutting dovetails by hand(and router)  or...

   Hand and router joinery to enhance your woodworking projects

   and...How to design,draw and trouble shoot your woodworking project

   I teach a 42 hour woodworking course that 12 or so students sign up for. The first 2 classes orient everyone to the shop and how to get started. After that, it's everyone at there own pace, with me helping everyone to solve their problems, be it design, layout, material sourcing,machine problems, etc. 

   Lots of fun and everyone learns lots on their own project and every thing that's going on around them. I'm a fanatic about safety...you gotta work safe. I'm finding it's too much for some people especially cabinet making. I need to break it down into smaller bites. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time...

   thanks,

   silver

      

1. 
   LeeEschen | Oct 15, 2002 10:41am | #6

   The basis of cabinetmaking is the framed panel, the primary means of dealing with wood movement. I would start by having everyone make simple framed panels, the basic Shaker style, no sticking, simple 15 degree raised panel, or even just start with framing a flat piece of 1/4" plywood, so they can focus on the joinery, stub tenon or even hand cut M&T's. Make 4 of them, add a top, maybe a bottom, and you have a table, maybe with storage inside. Not a bad first or second project. Make it the second. The first could be those V-shelf bookcases - they're even easier.

   BTW, these simple panels can be done without the special router bits usually used to cut stiles, rails, and raised panels. I would suggest starting with hand methods only, then move on to doing them on the table saw, and perhaps, finally getting to the router method. The idea is to give the students options, a variety of ways to acheive the final goal.

   --

   Lee in Cave Junction, Oregon

   On the Redwood Highway

   Edited 10/15/2002 5:59:36 PM ET by Lee

3. 
   Vibart2 | Oct 15, 2002 05:34pm | #8

   Show your students how to use a lay out knife. Which side the line to cut on to achive the results they want. How they begin will effect the end result. I wish I had recieved this instruction back in the biginning, Teach it with emphasis.

4. 
   b1gcountry | Oct 15, 2002 05:44pm | #9

   I think a class on setting up their home shop would be popular.

   Tom

5. 
   RW | Oct 16, 2002 12:29am | #13

   I'd think a short class on the hand tools would go over well. All the power equipment and cost pretty easily overwhelms a lot of folks budgets. For everything I claim I know how to do, I'd go to a class if I thought I'd get an in depth look at everything that can be done with various hand planes, with tips on adjustments, sharpening, and proper technique. I keep telling myself (now that I have everything that ever came with a cord attached) that getting back to basics makes sense, even with the power tools. Teaching them that there's a right time for a planer and a right time for a scrub plane, for instance.

1. 
   silver77 | Oct 16, 2002 07:14pm | #14

   I'm getting some great ideas and thinking about Saturday morning 9-1 or Saturday 10-5 during the winter months when I will try out some of these new courses,offering some as a 1 day workshop and some as a 2 day workshop. 

   big country:setting up a home shop. I think it's a great idea and everyone in the class would learn from each other. Could be lots of fun. Think I'll try it as a Saturday workshop.  

   bt:router:I started teaching a 12 hour course "Know Your Router" about 4 years ago thinking lots of folks would be interested. I always get several in each class who have a router, fired it up once, got scared and put it in a box in the basement. I show everyone the basics and how to work safely. Then for the rest of the course ask:what do you want to learn to do or what problems have you had. Making router table tops with 3/8" lexan inserts is very popular esp. when they see how safe and efficient a table mounted router is. I learned most of this the hard way and enjoy showing folks how easy most set-ups are. 

   rworiginals: handtools esp planes and sharpening. Life is funny. I have a student in one of my power woodworking classes who wants to start with handtools as I did when I started in a similar class way back in 1970. So last night I was showing him how to sharpen and tuneup a rusty old smooth plane(like my instructor had shown me) and next week we move on to sharpening with the Veritas honing guide. I also dug out an old Stanley booklet on hand tools that I found helpful, ummm, over 3 decades ago.

   silver... thanks for your input  

1. 
   silver77 | Oct 17, 2002 05:01pm | #15

   Ran a few of these new ideas past a class last night...everyone's eyes lite up when I mentioned... How to set up your home workshop. My idea of an informal focus group.

   I am considering all of your suggestions .Any other ideas? Appreciate your thoughts...

   silver

1. 
   slem2 | Oct 18, 2002 06:43am | #17

   Silver

     I am thinking about getting the Sommerfeld Ultimate Cabinetmaking Package which includes a router, router table, a package of six bits and a video. At the WW show in Cincinnati they demonstrated how to make raised panel cabinet doors using only this package. The styles, rails and panels were precut to size and length on the table saw of course. The bits were CMT, the router was Hitachi. They made their cabinet doors from oak and that router took those bits through this hardwood with ease; no splinters or gouges on the doors and they fit like a glove. I saw about twelve doors made in my WW shop class and not a one of them turned out this good! I have a couple of routers at this time but neither one has enough horse power to run these large bits. I told my wife that was what I wanted for Xmas.

      I want to learn a lot of other things like that using a router. I have a couple of router books that show many things that can be done  with a router but seeing it done sorta opens a whole new door plus you get to ask questions. I am really looking forward to the next show in my area. It is like a mini shop class.

     Sorry I had to edit I forgot to sign my name.

      BT

   Edited 10/17/2002 11:45:35 PM ET by bt

1. 
   silver77 | Oct 18, 2002 05:48pm | #19

   Interesting bt

   I'm a low tech and low budget kind of guy but expect high performance from my setups.

   I was asked to demo a Freud router table at a local tool store and had to call it off because the table inserts were MIA.

   In the router class, we make a router table top from !" birch ply 2'x4' with a simple 4" x 4' fence and a lexan insert attached to router and flush mounted; material costs under 50 bucks. The rail and stile bits can be purchased for under 125 bucks and a 3 hp router 300ish (canadian). With a simple setup these will produce excellent results...don't know what the package costs but it sounds pricey.

   good luck, have fun, learn lots,keep your fingers safe

   silver  

2. 
   b1gcountry | Oct 18, 2002 11:31pm | #20

   Silver,

   My I suggest at least a short suggestion on building a bench if you offer the workshop class. Here is a link to a bench with vises, but it helped me when I knew how to build some general purpose benches/cabinets for miter saw, grinder, etc. too.

   http://www.terraclavis.com/bws/beginners.htm

   Tom

1. 
   silver77 | Oct 19, 2002 08:09am | #21

   Thanks big country,

   I'm really blown away with the ideas I've been getting. I emailed my program officer today and I know he's going to be inspired when he reads my new course proposals.

   Thank you all for your HELP!

   I was talking to a co-worker today about  incorporating(in Canada) and when I asked her for suggestions, she suggested social woodworking for fun and profit for retired folk...

   refreshments served!

   I think we're on to something with this one...What would you suggest for a course name?What's up with "retired folks"? 

   I don't have the figures on this but woodworking is right up there with after gardening and bird watching in terms of all time favorite hobbies. I expect Leonard Lee to come out with bird watching supplies in the very near future.

   cheers, silver

     

2. 
   silver77 | Oct 19, 2002 09:24pm | #22

   My assistant,Wriggley Mcgiver, in our cabinet making class last night,suggested an introductory wood bending course and I'm thinking a medium sized shaker box. Anyone got plans for something like this or another simple bending project?

   thanks,

   silver 

3. 
   LeeEschen | Oct 19, 2002 10:10pm | #23

   That sounds like a great idea. I'd sure sign up if I were close enough.

   --

   Lee in Cave Junction, Oregon

   On the Redwood Highway

4. 
   b1gcountry | Oct 21, 2002 05:46pm | #24

   Silver,

   Where are you anyway? None of the community colleges here seem to have ww shops.

   Tom

5. 
   silver77 | Oct 22, 2002 07:46am | #25

   yankee doodle living on the Canadian lakehead of Superior...

   They cancelled Industrial Woodworking and the local builders aren't screaming for carpenters.

   This city is shrinking in size.

   Anyway, before they mothball the woodworking shop, I've decided to try to stimulate all the latent interest in woodworking in the cityand run with it as far as possible. Right now I'm teaching 4 or 5 nights a week and loving it.

   In the winter, I want to teach Tuesday and Thursday with classes from 10am to 10 pm

   and all day Saturday. That's why I started this post in search of new ideas. Got some good

   ones.

   cheers,

   silver 

6. 
   MikeIke | Oct 17, 2002 10:01pm | #16

   I recommend consideration given to a finishing class. In a 10 week class, using either scrap, plaques, or prebuilt stuff, go into some staining, some things like  surface prep, Danish oil and its options., and deal with a couple topcoats- poly, oil based, some shellac, paste wax- finishing turnings.   Then you follow with an advanced class on hand rubbed stuff, spraying, french polishing basics, glazes, dyes, etc.

   Many woodworking courses devote themselves to getting something built. It's only half the journey. I've never seen a local college just address finishing. Good luck!

   Ike

1. 
   silver77 | Oct 18, 2002 05:38pm | #18

   Thanks Ike

   Wood finishing and refinishing is a course I have offered in the past with a slant towards environmentally friendly finishes. Your suggestions are good esp Finishing II and I think I will pull this one out of the mothballs and try to puy together a really exciting basic and advanced finishing workshop. I am following the posts on finishing with great interest because of the sheer diversity of finishing techniques discussed.

   silver

7. 
   mustang | Oct 23, 2002 03:33am | #26

   I guess it would depend on how much knowledge your students have already. If they are like myself ? I like working with wood but to be honest I can't even build a basic box. Lots of ambition but not enough KNOWLEDGE and that can really tick a person off.  But I keep trying

1. 
   silver77 | Oct 24, 2002 09:07pm | #27

   Right on. Keep on keeping on... it's a process. I always learned a lot by watching others...if that's an option for you. A buddy, a woodworking club, community college or a video might help to give you a heads up on something. I am anxious to get my hands on a Sam Maloof rocking chair video I heard about in another thread. Or post your problems...this is a very resourceful forum.

   Students in last nights router class suggested Router 2-Beyond the Basics, which I am adding to this winter's offerings.

   A radical idea- I am also seriously considering offering some courses, such as router, live on line with online students able to ask questions "in real time". Would something like that appeal to you?  Still in the planning stages...

   best of luck,

   silver

1. 
   mustang | Oct 25, 2002 02:55am | #28

   Thanks I've gotten a lot of advice most of it ( read ) which I like to do anyway. Live online teaching for router ? Might work and by what I have seen so far this is a very good forum with a lot of helpful people. As for friends or buudy that do WW well you can tell by my handle what I've been upto for the last 30 years $$

8. 
   Sancho | Oct 25, 2002 02:59am | #29

   Check out Cerritos College they have a online catalog, They also have one of the best and indebth Wood working curriculum arounf

   At Darkworks cut to size made to burn......Putty isnt a option

1. 
   silver77 | Oct 25, 2002 04:14am | #30

   Thanks Ron,

   I'll check them out shortly. Never heard of that college.How did you connect with them?

   silver