Megan Fitzpatrick and Brendan Gaffney have opened up some new classes that will be taught in the Lost Art Press storefront in 2018.
All three of us have been busy getting the store and shop ready. We now have six high-quality workbenches in the front room of the storefront, which is filled with natural light. And the mechanical library, Horse Garage and biergarten are coming along nicely as well. All in all, it will be an excellent place to learn handwork.
Here are the details on the classes:
Build a Dutch Tool Chest with Megan Fitzpatrick
Feb. 17-18, 2018
Cost: $300 plus a materials fee. To register, click here.
During this intense two-day class you’ll build a Dutch tool chest from pine using dovetails, dados, rabbets and nails. Because of the demands of the project, this class will likely run into the early evening to ensure everyone will complete their chest. The Dutch chest is an excellent introduction to handwork and the result is a fine place to store your tools.
Build the Cabinetmaker’s Sector with Brendan Gaffney
June 2-3, 2018
Cost: $300, which includes all raw materials. This second class is already full with people who signed up for the first class. We’ll be opening a wait list soon.
In this two-day class, students will build their own Cabinetmaker’s Sector, my modernized design for the ancient geometer’s tool, used for drawing, drafting and (in my shop) the layout of dimensions and joinery on woodwork. The class will revolve around the skills of modern hand-tool makers, including careful marking and measuring, mixing metal and wood, hand shaping, finishing and (of course) how to use the tool.
Each student will be provided the wood and the necessary brass hinges and pins, everything needed to produce the sector. The first day will revolve around affixing the brass and wooden tabs into the tools, riveting the leaves together, flattening and lapping the tools and reviewing the principles behind the geometry of the sector. The second day will revolve around shaping the sectors, stamping and inking the sector marks, finishing the sectors and learning to use them in the shop. Every student will leave with a completed sector, plus the knowledge of how it works and how to use it.
Build a Shaker Silverware Tray with Megan Fitzpatrick
June 23-24, 2018
Cost: $250, plus a small materials fee for wood & cut brads (likely around $30). To register, click here.
Make a classic Shaker silverware tray in this introduction to hand-cut dovetails. In this two-day class, you’ll learn:
- Dovetail layout using dividers
- How to use a backsaw to saw to a line
- How to wield a coping or fret saw
- How to pare and chop to a line with a chisel
- Several strategies for transferring the tails to the pin board
- Techniques for fitting the joint
- Why dovetails work – and we’ll look at some examples of long-lasting period dovetails that look as if they were gnawed out by a beaver – “perfection” is overrated when it comes to the efficacy of this joint. (That said, you’ll also learn some “tricks” for fixing less-than-stellar dovetails.)
- How to lay out then cut and fair the handles (both the hand holds and the curved top edge)
- How to smooth-plane your surfaces
- How to use cut nails (to secure the bottom board)
- And of course, how to put it all together (and why I recommend liquid hide glue).
— Christopher Schwarz
If six benches means you have a 1:6 teacher to student ratio, these classes are a phenomenal bargain.
Yes, it’s 6:1. And I’m the assistant.
Yikes, that doubles the value. Someday I won’t be teaching (middle school) Wood Shop, and then I will drive out there and learn how to teach…Wood Shop.
Ha! I’m sure we could learn something from you!
Do you have a list of b&b’s nearby? Or local hotels/motels. I’d avoid the national chains if possible.
All registrants will get a list of local hotels and restaurants. My favorite is Hotel Covington – a seven minute walk from the store.
http://hotelcovington.com/
Also: https://blog.lostartpress.com/2017/12/20/lap-where-to-stay-where-to-eat-what-to-do/
Would the Dutch tool chest class be appropriate for someone new to Woodworking or is it too advanced? A better way to phrase that might be: do you want to deal with newbies in this class?
Newbies are totally welcome. This is a great immersion class for those getting started in the craft.
I am happy to, as you say, “deal with newbies.” And yep — it is indeed suitable 🙂
Will you have a waiting list, as the dutch tool chest is already full?
I’ve just added that option, so you should now be able to sign up for the wait list.
Thanks!
Do you anticipate offering this class again in the future?
I would imagine so. I like this project, and it’s fun to teach. (If we do another, it will likely be in the late summer or early autumn.)
I am going to be in the area between Christmas and New Years. I would love to experience one of your classes if anything is being offered at that time.
Chris,
I see a Milkman’s workbench in one of those photos….have you heard of what happened to the one you donated a while back? I have not.
Readers donated two to veterans. And I donated a third. I haven’t heard reports on their use I’m afraid.
Hey Chris,
I think it is really cool how you are helping Megan. From the periphery, you are lifting me from my politics derived major depression.
Good job.
Best-
John
Sent from my iPad
Hey John,
Megan is unsinkable and really doesn’t need my help.
I am only tying to help her in the way she helped me when I jumped off the corporate bandwagon. And she is the hardest-working (former) redhead in the world.
Chris
What would the tool kit look like for the Dutch Tool Chest consist of? I’m just wondering about the feasibility of air travel for a class.
Chris posted his list for one of his DTC classes a while back – my list (as soon as I finish it) will be pretty much the same (but I don’t have a moving fillister plane, so I’ll sub in a straight rabbet – that sort of change). https://blog.lostartpress.com/2014/02/25/tools-needed-to-make-the-dutch-tool-chest/
But you are absolutely, positively, not opening a woodworking school. 😉
Ha! Next I’ll be starting this new woodworking magazine….
Any chance of offering a class on the Milkman’s Workbench?
I second that!
I am registered for Megan’s second silverware tray class by virtue of being on the waitlist for the first (thanks for that BTW). Any news when the waitlist will open for Brendan’s sector class? Or, have I missed it? I missed even making the waiting list the first time around and hope not to miss it again.
Thanks!
Sorry – this should have been in the original reply – but when do we get information for paying for the class, etc.? I would hate to miss that in a SPAM filter or something.
Any chance you can share what wood and finish are used in the pictured silverware tray? It is gorgeous.