Creating shapes or joints in wood that are not flat and straight may seem daunting and beyond what you are comfortable with. There’s a surprisingly simple solution: build a custom support, often called a jig, that puts the piece in a “square” reference so your machine or hand tool can accommodate the irregular form. The next step may be clamping and assembling the shapes and joints. We’ll show you how to identify what’s needed to apply perfect pressure and how to fabricate clamping cauls, both specialized and cauls used repeatedly. This class will open new design and construction vistas.

Topics covered:

1. Learn how to choose the correct hand tool or machine for the task at hand
2. Tools and materials for making jigs, both shop made and purchased
3. How to secure parts in jigs for one-off or repetitive operations
4. Build a collection of reusable clamping cauls that will simplify assembling irregular shapes
5. How to analyze the direction for perfect clamping pressure
6. How to upgrade quick jigs so they last and last

This class will be limited to 12 students and will largely be demonstrations; however, feel free to bring a project idea and Michael can help you problem solve the fabrication.

Canadian designer/maker, teacher and mentor Michael C. Fortune has become acclaimed for his innovative, but resolved, designs for one-of-a-kind objects in wood, commissioned residential furnishings, and items in limited editions. He is acknowledged for both his technical and design expertise, giving lectures and workshops across Canada, United States, New Zealand, Australia, and Brazil. Michael's work has appeared in numerous exhibitions worldwide and he has taught at many schools and craft centers including; Sheridan College School of Crafts and Design, Ryerson Polytechnical Institute, the Rochester Institute of Technology NY, Worcester Center for Crafts in Massachusetts, Anderson Arts Center, Colorado, Savannah College of Art and Design, Australian National University School of Art, and the Marc Adams School in Indiana where the fellowship program for advanced students has been named in his honor. Michael is the senior mentor for the Artist in Residence program (2018, 2020) at the Centre for Fine Woodworking in New Zealand. Fortune’s international career includes consulting for Trinidad and Tobago's Commonwealth Fund for Technical Assistance, working for sustainable source timber in Mexico aimed at supplying the expanding hotel industry within the country, and volunteering for Woodlinks, a joint Canadian/U.S. not-for-profit organization dedicated to revitalizing vocational training in secondary schools throughout North America. Michael is also assisting a new school in Puerto Rico that promotes use of timber salvaged after destructive hurricanes. In 1993, Michael was the first woodworker to receive the prestigious Prix Saidye Bronfman, Canada’s highest award in the crafts, and in 2007 he was the first Canadian to receive the Award of Distinction from the Furniture Society. He received the Mather Award in 2019 for his contribution to craft in Ontario. Michael Fortune has a clear vision of how fine craft can positively effect the culture and economy of Canada and the world beyond. http://www.michaelfortune.com/

The bandsaw can be one of the most versatile, accurate and safe machines in your workshop—providing it is set up and used properly. A new or even a well used bandsaw with a ½ HP motor can be tuned to cut precision joints or resaw flawlessly without purchasing aftermarket accessories or expensive blades. Installing new tires, selecting and setting blade tension, tracking, cutting curves and resawing will be covered. A variety of useful jigs designed to be used with the bandsaw will be demonstrated. Illustrations will be provided so you can make your own. Michael operates one of the most diversely equipped workshops in North America. It includes three industrial table saws but he can’t remember the last time he ripped a piece of wood on a table saw. Instead, he prefers to use a vintage 15” General Mfg. bandsaw. He bought this bandsaw in 1974, tracked the blade once with only modest tension, installed a factory fence parallel to the miter slot and has not had to adjust it in 50 years. That is one of nine bandsaws in his workshop. Let the bandsaw master show you how to make this simple machine the most versatile in your workshop. This class will be limited to 12 students; while mostly demonstration, the class size will allow for some student hands on.

Canadian designer/maker, teacher and mentor Michael C. Fortune has become acclaimed for his innovative, but resolved, designs for one-of-a-kind objects in wood, commissioned residential furnishings, and items in limited editions. He is acknowledged for both his technical and design expertise, giving lectures and workshops across Canada, United States, New Zealand, Australia, and Brazil. Michael's work has appeared in numerous exhibitions worldwide and he has taught at many schools and craft centers including; Sheridan College School of Crafts and Design, Ryerson Polytechnical Institute, the Rochester Institute of Technology NY, Worcester Center for Crafts in Massachusetts, Anderson Arts Center, Colorado, Savannah College of Art and Design, Australian National University School of Art, and the Marc Adams School in Indiana where the fellowship program for advanced students has been named in his honor. Michael is the senior mentor for the Artist in Residence program (2018, 2020) at the Centre for Fine Woodworking in New Zealand. Fortune’s international career includes consulting for Trinidad and Tobago's Commonwealth Fund for Technical Assistance, working for sustainable source timber in Mexico aimed at supplying the expanding hotel industry within the country, and volunteering for Woodlinks, a joint Canadian/U.S. not-for-profit organization dedicated to revitalizing vocational training in secondary schools throughout North America. Michael is also assisting a new school in Puerto Rico that promotes use of timber salvaged after destructive hurricanes. In 1993, Michael was the first woodworker to receive the prestigious Prix Saidye Bronfman, Canada’s highest award in the crafts, and in 2007 he was the first Canadian to receive the Award of Distinction from the Furniture Society. He received the Mather Award in 2019 for his contribution to craft in Ontario. Michael Fortune has a clear vision of how fine craft can positively effect the culture and economy of Canada and the world beyond. http://www.michaelfortune.com/

Learn veneering secrets with master craftsman, veneer artist, and former Wendell Castle studio director Scott Grove. During this hands-on class, students will learn the fundamentals of working with veneer, including selecting, cutting, seaming, matching, pressing, inlay, and more. Scott will share all the tips and tricks that 45+ years of veneering can reveal. Each student will create a stunning highly-figured chessboard with a mother of pearl inlay with a water fall edge and a creative Wendell twist. No special tools are required and this course is great for beginners and more advanced woodworkers looking to expand their veneering knowledge. Scott is a highly creative, enthusiastic, energetic, and experienced instructor that understands that imparting information in an entertaining way makes learning easier and more fun.

Class fee: $385

Materials fee: $50

Scott Grove is an international award-winning artist, master craftsman, sculptor, teacher, author, and tool designer who demonstrates, lectures, and judges at international and national woodworking and woodturning conferences. He has an unconventional approach to all he does, and constantly pushes boundaries to develop new and unique methods of creating functional and decorative art and art furniture. He understands that imparting information in an entertaining way makes learning easier and more fun; he is a featured instructor at the Marc Adam’s School of Woodworking and leads the veneering program at the Chippendale International School of Furniture in Scotland. He also worked for Wendell Castle as studio director. Scott has won numerous awards including the Veneer Tech Craftsman’s Challenge Award four times, an unprecedented achievement, and has been featured on the broadcast series Woodworking in Action, HGTV’s The Furniture Show, and PBS’ The American Woodworker with Scott Phillips. An author of four books, Scott also writes for Popular Woodworking, Woodworking Network, and Woodshop News, American Woodturner, among others. Scott maintains a studio in the Finger Lakes region of Western New York where he produces commission work and speculative art as well as limited edition pieces. He is also the founder of Easy Inlay, a company that provides exotic inlay materials to crafters. http://www.scottgrove.com

Take a deeper dive into Japanese hand planes!  Many of you have taken Andrew's Japanese Hand Planes class in which we each took a new Japanese smoothing plane (Kana), tuned it up, fitted and sharpened the iron, and went from nothing to making beautiful shavings. Well, this is the next course to take your plane to a new level! You don't have to have taken Andrew's previous classes to take this one, but you do need to have a Japanese hand plane of your own that has already been taken through the original steps of setup.  (If you have any doubt then please contact Andrew directly at Andrew@andrewhunterart.com.)

 In this two-day class Andrew will first work with students individually to assess their planes and offer suggestions on how to get them working better.  He will then guide students through the process of setting up the chip breaker.  Getting a chip breaker to work properly can be a bit tricky, but when it's working just right it makes all the difference!  Students will learn to effectively put their planes to use by pulling shavings with the whole body and not just with their arms. We will each spend some time learning to dimension lumber entirely by hand. Remember: the Japanese Kana, like a Western hand plane, is not just limited to surfacing but also excels at precisely fitting parts; two thousandth of an inch at a time!

Andrew is a custom furniture maker working and living in New York’s Hudson Valley. Best known for his use of traditional Japanese hand tools, Andrew demonstrates and teaches across the country. As a self-taught woodworker, he offers a unique perspective to other Americans exploring Eastern woodworking. His workshops demonstrate that by understanding the fundamental principles behind other cultures’ tools and techniques, all woodworkers can benefit. A frequent contributor to Fine Woodworking magazine, he is eager to share what he has learned in his 25-plus years of making furniture. https://www.instagram.com/andrewhunter_furniture/

In this course, you will learn the important concepts of building rockers and how to build quality furniture safely and efficiently. You will also learn how to use a wide variety of power tools, perform complicated joinery, and build a piece of furniture successfully.

We will dive into this class learning techniques to design and build furniture that is curved and has compound angles. Students will learn and be comfortable using a horizontal mortiser. They will also be introduced to the business aspects of building furniture.

Learning objectives:

1. Joinery at complex angles
2. Techniques of chair building
3. The angles and designs that make chairs comfortable

Class price: $1100

Materials fee: $200

Class size limited to 10

Alexis grew up in a family of builders and artists. While designing and building her own house and working alongside her dad, a long-time woodworker, she embarked on a career of building fine furniture. She apprenticed with many talented and successful woodworkers before starting her business in Bozeman in 2019. Alexis builds custom fine furniture and teaches classes out of her own shop and at various woodworking schools in the US. Alexis is a founding member and the president of the Bozeman Woodworking Guild created to help develop the localwoodworking community and encourage and support local craftsmen focusing on novice woodworkers. https://www.dolesewoodworks.com/

In this class, students will create a small kitchen utility knife. Starting with a section of flat 1080 steel bar, the class will cover forging, grinding, heat treatment, handle fitment and finishing techniques. Students will leave with a finished, full-tang blade, ready to prep a meal. There will be opportunities for additional forging as time allows. Beginner blacksmithing experience is strongly recommended but not required.

Must bring:

1. Work boots/shoes. No sneakers
2. Long pants, no shorts
3. Clothing must be cotton/denim/wool, no synthetics
4. Comfortable safety glasses
5. Notepad
6. Water bottle

Class size is limited to 6

Materials fee: $25

Annalisa Barron is an interdisciplinary artist based in New York City and Rochester, NY. She graduated from Penn State University with a BFA in painting and drawing in 2013 and with an MFA in sculpture from the Pratt Institute in 2017. Her work has been exhibited at the Cooper Union, University of Rochester, Southern Oregon University, BunkerPROJECTS Gallery (Pittsburgh, PA), U.S. Embassy in Nicaragua, NO/GLOSS film festival (UK), and the Anthology Film Archives (NYC). The Kingdom of Back (2017) was featured in Berlin, Germany, as part of GRRL HAUS Cinema’s 2018 European tour. She served as a panelist for the 2020 NYFA Craft and Sculpture Fellowships and is a recipient of NYSCA’s 2021 DEC Regrant Program/Individual Artist Grant. She has received support from the New York Foundation for the Arts, the New York Film and Video Council, the AAUW, the New York State Inspire Grant, Penn State University, and the Simmons-Jansma Project Renew Grant. Currently, Annalisa teaches in the College of Art and Design at the Rochester Institute of Technology. http://www.annalisabarron.com

Wendell Castle changed furniture history when he incorporated stack lamination techniques into his work. This allowed him to move away from “stick build” to more fluid pieces. This course will take you through the entire stack lamination process but will focus on the fabrication and carving steps. (The companion, 2-day, course will focus on the design front-end.) Each student will choose one of four designs to build or they can build what they designed if they took the preceding 2-day course, Design Techniques and Tools for Stack Lamination. Designs should be limited to a 12"x12"x24" envelope in order to finish the glue-up and carving within 5 days.. Templates of your chosen design will be provided to you. You’ll then trace the template on prepared stock, cut it out on a bandsaw, glue-up the laminations, and carve. We’ll progress through various power carving tools starting with an electric chainsaw and/or an angle grinder. We’ll then finish with hand tools. Instructor Taeyoul (Terry) Ryu was a longtime employee of Wendell’s and is a master of the stack lamination technique. There will also be at least one full-time assistant instructor. Class size is limited to 8 to ensure plenty of individualized attention.

Read about Castle's pioneering techniques in this Fine Woodworking article, originally published in 1976.

Class fee: $850

Materials: $100

Class size limited to 8

Taeyoul Ryu is a furniture designer with a BFA in Sculpture from the Chung-Ang University in Seoul, Korea and an MFA in Woodworking and Furniture Design from the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, N.Y. Taeyoul worked for Wendell Castle for 17 years on all aspects of his work. Taeyoul is an expert in design, sculpting, and the stack lamination method. Taeyoul’s work has been featured in at least ten exhibitions at the Burchfield Penney Art Center, including six iterations of Art in Craft Media, a biennial juried exhibition at the center,In 2022. Ryu was named Langley Kenzie Prize winner and had an exhibition of his work, Royalty, featured at the Burchfield Penney Art Center. http://taeyoulryu.com/

Wendell Castle changed furniture history when he incorporated stack lamination techniques into his work. This allowed him to move away from “stick build” to more fluid pieces. This course will take you through the entire stack lamination process but will focus on the design and digital template creation front end. (The companion 5-day course will focus on the fabrication and carving processes.) Each student will create their own design. The process steps we will go through in class is as follows:

1. Sketch
2. Carve in foam or clay
3. 3D scan
4. Clean up model and manipulate
5. Digitally slice the model and to automatically create templates

Students will need to bring their computers for steps 4 and 5. Instructor Taeyoul (Terry) Ryu was a longtime employee of Wendell’s and is a master of the stack lamination technique. There will also be at least one full-time assistant instructor. Class size is limited to 10 students.

Read about Castle's pioneering techniques in this Fine Woodworking article, originally published in 1976.

Class fee: $350

Class size limited to 10

Taeyoul Ryu is a furniture designer with a BFA in Sculpture from the Chung-Ang University in Seoul, Korea and an MFA in Woodworking and Furniture Design from the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, N.Y. Taeyoul worked for Wendell Castle for 17 years on all aspects of his work. Taeyoul is an expert in design, sculpting, and the stack lamination method. Taeyoul’s work has been featured in at least ten exhibitions at the Burchfield Penney Art Center, including six iterations of Art in Craft Media, a biennial juried exhibition at the center,In 2022. Ryu was named Langley Kenzie Prize winner and had an exhibition of his work, Royalty, featured at the Burchfield Penney Art Center. http://taeyoulryu.com/

Learn to build a contemporary side table that looks complex but is quite straightforward once you know its secrets. The base is assembled using five mortise and tenon joints, so it is as sturdy as it is attractive. Tim will show you how to use files, rasps and scrapers to create the sculptural shape for the feet and will show you how to make a tabletop using his unique approach to veneering onto solid wood. This technique allows you to dress up a surface with a decorative surface veneer while still being able to profile the edge as you would solid wood.

This project is a great way to learn:

1. Design considerations for a pedestal table
2. How to read the grain of the wood when selecting parts
3. Making mortises with a hollow chisel mortiser
4. Cutting tenons using the table saw
5. How to make custom clamping blocks
6. Devising strategies for tricky glue ups
7. How to apply a shellac finish

Class fee: $550

Materials fee: $50

Class size limited to 10

Tim Coleman creates custom furniture in a shop he built a few paces from his home in rural Western Massachusetts. He has been creating furniture for clients and exhibition for more than 35 years after studying at the College of the Redwoods with James Krenov in the 1980s. Tim is known for his graceful and dynamic furniture forms which often feature richly patterned and textured surfaces. Using low-relief carving, marquetry, embossing, and thick veneer tiles, he has developed simple but innovative techniques that put a new spin on traditional embellishment. As passionate as Coleman is about his own work, he is equally excited to pass on his knowledge as a frequent contributor to Fine Woodworking Magazine and by teaching at schools throughout the US.

In this class, students will be able to create their very own Spiral Sprout Box! This octagonal, lidded box is topped with a bundle of bentwood spirals. During the class we will cover box design and function, joinery (with geometry—it’s fun, I promise), making a captured panel bottom and lid, wood bending using a hot pipe, creating a tiny wedged tenon, and fine tuning the fit of a split-lid box. This small project is packed with an array of techniques and fun details to make it your own!

Larissa is a wood­worker and teacher who makes custom furni­ture and other func­tional wooden objects in Philadel­phia. When she is not design­ing and build­ing custom furni­ture in her own work­shop, she’s on the road teach­ing and making at shops and schools around the country. In 2021, she was as an artist-in-resi­dence at Arrow­mont School of Art & Crafts and in 2022, she completed a fellow­ship at the Center for Furni­ture Crafts­man­ship. You can find arti­cles she has authored in Fine Wood­work­ing and Wood­craft Maga­zine and her work has been on display in exhibitions at the Messler Gallery and Wayne Art Center. Even her days out of the shop are wrapped up in artful wood­work­ing, as she works part-time at the Wharton Esherick Museum. https://www.instagram.com/larissa.huff/