Hand-tool Classes for New Woodworkers – How You Can Help

Since I announced the two discounted classes I’m teaching in 2015 for young adults, I’ve received many offers of assistance – everything from cash to tools to food.

First off: Thank you. Your generosity is much appreciated.

After discussing these offers with the owners of the schools, we are creating a mechanism for how you can help. For those who wish to help with the class in England with the New English Workshop, we will post details on how you can help there shortly. You can register to attend the class here.

For those who wish to help with the class in North America at the Marc Adams School of Woodworking, here are the details.

Tuition: If you wish to sponsor a student taking the class, you can send a check made out to the Roger Cliffe Foundation. You can send the check to me (so I know who is donating what) and I will forward them all to the school. My address:

Christopher Schwarz
Lost Art Press
26 Greenbriar Ave.
Fort Mitchell, KY 41017

Simply write in the memo section of the check that the donation is for the Hand-tool Immersion Course. This donation is tax deductible. If you have any questions about donating tuition money for students, contact Paula Bueno at the Marc Adams School at 317-535-4013.

Tools: If you would like to donate some of your tools to the class that will be given to the students, you can send them to me at the same address above.

Note that unlike a tuition donation, tools are not a tax-deductible donation. Below is a list of the tools we hope to supply for all 18 students with details of what we are looking for in the tools.

Tool Kit for the New Anarchist

Planes

• No. 5 jack plane, such as a pre-war Stanley with a clean iron (no rust) and a tight chipbreaker.
• Low-angle block plane, such as Stanley 60-1/2 with a clean iron and movable toe piece.
• Wooden rabbet plane (skew or straight iron). Wedge needs to work.
• Large router plane, such as Stanley No. 71 or No. 71-1/2.
• Card scraper.

Boring

• Hand drill, sometimes called an “eggbeater,” such as a Millers Falls No. 2 or 5 with a 1/4” chuck and intact chuck springs (i.e. the jaws are spring-loaded and work).
• Brace with a 10” sweep. Good chuck with its springs still intact and a tight pad.

Striking

• Bevel-edge chisels with wooden handles (1/4”, 1/2” and 3/4”).
• 16 oz. hammer with a wooden handle. Striking face should be smooth and slightly crowned.
• Square-head joiner’s mallet.

Marking/Measuring

• 12” combination square that is square, locks tight and has clear markings.
• Marking gauge. The metallic ones, such as the Stanley No. 90, are preferred.

Sawing/Rasping

• Backsaw with a 10”- to 14”-long blade. Straight sawplate, comfortable wooden handle and little or no rust.
• Coping saw that takes pin-end blades and locks tight.
• 10” cabinet rasp (older and sharp is better).

A few people have asked if they can donate food or tutoring assistance during the class. I’m going to try to come up with a plan for those aspects of the class early in 2015. So stay tuned.

If you have any questions about helping out with these classes, drop me a line at chris@lostartpress.com.

— Christopher Schwarz