Fall Classes at the Storefront

We have a full roster of weekend courses planned for the fall. Megan Fitzpatrick, Brendan Gaffney, Daniel Clay and Christopher Schwarz will lead these two day-classes in our storefront in downtown Covington, Ky.

The registration for these classes will open at 10 a.m. (Eastern time) on Friday, Aug. 3, 2018. See the descriptions below for details.

Classes are small – six people maximum. Each student is supplied with a heavy workbench with a full suite of workholding options. And the climate-controlled storefront is filled with natural daylight and features hardwood floors (which are kind to your back). The storefront itself is situated in the heart of Covington’s Main Strasse historic district. Students are steps away from great food, bars and lodging (most students park their cars on Friday and don’t touch them until they leave for home).

And if you bring your family, there are lots of activities for them to enjoy in Cincinnati, which is only eight blocks away.

Classes tend to fill quickly. If you are interested in a class and it is full, we definitely recommend getting on the waitlist. We do have spots open up.

Chip Carving with Daniel Clay
Sept. 29-30, 2018
Cost: $300, which includes all materials (Click here to register. Will go live at 10 a.m. Eastern time on Aug. 3, 2018)

Learn the fundamentals of chip carving – a decorative technique in which faceted “chips” are removed from a wooden surface to produce geometric patterns, stylized images, lettering and ornamentation. Through demonstrations, guided practice, skill-building exercises, and the completion of a decorative wall hanging, you’ll leave class with all the knowledge, experience and confidence you need to pursue chip carving on your own. One of the most attractive aspects of chip carving (especially for beginning woodcarvers) is that it can be accomplished at a high level with minimal tools and materials; all you need to become a great chip carver is a sharp knife, some suitable wood and a little practice.

Høj Footstool with Brendan Gaffney
Oct. 27-28, 2018
Cost: $330, which includes all materials (Click here to register. Will go live at 10 a.m. Eastern time on Aug. 3, 2018)

This simple footstool is an easy way to learn two basic chairmaking skills – making a simple post-and-rung construction and weaving a Danish cord seat. The class is broken into two parts; on the first day, students will build the footstool using simple techniques (suited to non-chairmakers or chairmakers), and on the second day students will learn the “no-nail” method of weaving a Danish paper cord seat.

Alongside the techniques involved in this construction, students will also learn basic finishing techniques for chairs, using oil, soap or modern finishes.

There are no prerequisites for this class, apart from having a block plane and coming ready to learn!

Staked High Stool with Christopher Schwarz
Nov. 3-4, 2018
Cost: $330, which includes all materials (Click here to register. Will go live at 10 a.m. Eastern time on Aug. 3, 2018)

Building this staked high stool is an excellent introduction to chairmaking. In this two-day class you will learn to calculate and drill compound-angle joints without trigonometry (or even numbers). You will learn to create a tapered mortise-and-tenon joint – the foundation of Windsor chairmaking. And you will learn to create the stout undercarriage that allows this delicate stool to support an impressive weight.

Students will finish their assembled stools with “shou sugi ban,” shellac or a number of organic hand-applied finishes.

The only prerequisite for this class is you are confident in your sharpening skills.

Høj Footstool with Brendan Gaffney
Nov. 17-18, 2018
Cost: $330, which includes all materials (Click here to register. Will go live at 10 a.m. Eastern time on Aug. 3, 2018)

This simple footstool is an easy way to learn two basic chairmaking skills – making a simple post-and-rung construction and weaving a Danish cord seat. The class is broken into two parts; on the first day, students will build the footstool using simple techniques (suited to non-chairmakers or chairmakers), and on the second day students will learn the “no-nail” method of weaving a Danish paper cord seat.

Alongside the techniques involved in this construction, students will also learn basic finishing techniques for chairs, using oil, soap or modern finishes.

There are no prerequisites for this class, apart from having a block plane and coming ready to learn!

Build the Cabinetmaker’s Sector with Brendan Gaffney
Dec. 1-2, 2018
Cost: $300, which includes all materials. (Click here to register. Will go live at 10 a.m. Eastern time on Aug. 3, 2018)

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.

Dutch Tool Chest with Megan Fitzpatrick
Dec. 15-16, 2018
Cost: $350, which includes all materials excepting hardware. (Click here to register. Will go live at 10 a.m. Eastern time on Aug. 3, 2018)

Build a Dutch Tool Chest in a weekend (working long, challenging but rewarding hours). Not only will you get a great introduction to hand-tool casework, you’ll leave with a small chest in which to store a core set of furniture-making tools – and the chest fits in almost any car. You’ll learn dovetails, dados, rabbets, cut-nail joinery and rules for carcase construction.

Beginning woodworkers are welcome!