Just a reminder that registration opens at 10 a.m. today for January-June 2020 classes (and that a small, non-refundable registration fee ($12 per day) will be collected at signup). Click here to see the list of classes and to register.
I have to turn on the waitlist for each class after it sells out, and will do my best to keep on eye on the site to do that as soon as it becomes necessary – but if a class you want is sold out and the waitlist isn’t yet functional, please check back for it. (There is no charge to join the waitlist.)
If you encounter any problems with the ticketing site, please send an email to covingtonmechanicals@gmail.com (not to the Lost Art Press help desk).
We’re busy getting ready for the Lie-Nielsen Hand Tool Event (as evidenced by Christopher Schwarz’s full-on cleaning and organizational mode…he even made me dust and arrange the bourbon bottles yesterday). The event is Friday, Sept. 20 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m and Saturday, Sept. 21 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Lie-Nielsen will have its full line of tools here for you to try out – and you are heartily encouraged to actually use them – plus the company offers free shipping for event orders.
Lost Art Press will, of course, have the full line of books and Crucible tools on hand for perusal and purchase – but perhaps most exciting is the drawing for a free copy of the deluxe “Roubo on Furniture.” Measuring 12-1/4″ wide x 17-1/4″ tall by almost 2-1/4″ thick, “Roubo on Furniture” is the largest and most luxurious book LAP has printed. No purchase necessary – just write your name on a provided slip of paper, drop it in the hopper, and you’re entered. We’ll draw the winning name on Saturday at 4:45 p.m. – you need not be present to win. If the winner is local, I’ll drop your book off; if not, we’ll ship it.
‘Roubo on Furniture,’ cat for scale.
Chris, Brendan Gaffney and I are happy to give shop tours, answer questions about woodworking, demonstrate techniques and more. And I’ll have some copies of The Chronicle, the journal of the Early American Industries Association, to give away.
Andy Glenn joins us from the Berea, Ky., Woodworking School at Pine Croft – which you might recognize by its former name, the Kelly Mehler School of Woodworking. Berea College is continuing the fine tradition set by Kelly, with engaging workshops that use both traditional and contemporary methods (and in a gorgeous setting and shop, to boot). The school will soon be announcing workshops and guest instructors for the upcoming year.
At 2 p.m. on Friday, Andy will demonstrate how to weave a hickory bark seat, and at 2 p.m. on Saturday, he’ll give a chisel-sharpening demo – plus assorted benchwork throughout the event.
Donna Hill and Bob Compton from the Ohio Valley chapter of the Society of American Period Furniture Makers (SAPFM) will be on hand with examples of their stunning work. Throughout the event, Donna will be demonstrating stringing and inlay – a decorative technique that can be applied to both period and contemporary work. For those who don’t already know, SAPFM is a membership organization dedicated to the understanding, education and appreciation of American period furniture.
Mark Hicks is traveling from his Missouri shop with his small (but mighty) show bench, as well as an in-progress cherry shavehorse featuring the new Galbert Adjuster and a lower platform suitable for those with shorter torsos. He’ll also have a pile of Shavehorse Builder’s Kits, T-shirts and stickers. Plus, Mark will let you know about his workbench-building classes (and perhaps a few surprises).
If you read the post about our upcoming classes, you know that for 2020, we’re charging a small non-refundable registration fee of $12 a day per class. You might wonder why, and if it’s worth it.
In short, it’s because the entirety of your class tuition goes to the instructor. And during the past 18 months, we’ve found that the classes require lots of glue, gallons of drinking water (and dang-good coffee), ample toilet paper, and to keep the HVAC at a comfortable level for seven people. The small registration fee will help pay for that. Plus, the class registration site costs money – so part of each fee goes to pay for it, too.
Why is the registration fee non-refundable? Again, because all the tuition goes to the instructor, we have to have some way to pay for all the administration when people drop out of classes, require help with shipping tools or need assistance with housing, meals or activities for their families. We’re happy to help, but we do need to eat.
We do our best to make sure classes here are worth the investment in money and time. Lost Art Press operates differently than most publishing companies, and the classes here are different, too. With only six students in all but a few classes, you get plenty of personal attention from the instructor (whether you want it or not!). And, you’ve the opportunity to try out a bunch of different bench styles in our working shop (handy, if you’re thinking about building one). Plus, you have access to the Covington Mechanical Library – our large collection of woodworking books (including a three-volume set of the original 18th-century “l’art du Menuisier”).
You also get to spend time in the Covington Main Strasse area, which is aces (it’s possible we’re biased). There are scads of good and inexpensive restaurants within easy walking distance, and plenty of hotels and Air BnB rentals available at shockingly low rates. And we’re right across the Ohio River from downtown Cincinnati, where you’ll find even more great restaurants, and plenty for your family to do while you’re in class, should they visit with you.
We love offering classes, and think you’ll have a great time here (and learn a lot, of course!) – so we hope this small fee won’t stop you from registering for a class.
