Chairmaking Classes

Teaching

One-on-One Instruction

Spend a week in a professional chairshop building a Windsor chair. Starting with a log you will split parts with a froe, work them down with a drawknife, and bend them in ith inshaves and travishers, you will bore the holes freehand and assemble the chair using wet/dry joinery to lock the chair together. Turning instruction is covered. Turned parts are also available depending on what skills you wish to emphasize.

My shop is located in the woods of northern Chatham County, North Carolina. A scenic fifteen minute drive brings you to the quaint shops of Pittboro to the south, and the lively college town of Chapel Hill to the north. A number of bed-and-breakfasts are located nearby and Chapel Hill has more restaurants than a horse has fleas, if your appetite can withstand the analogy.

All tools are provided, but you are encouraged to bring your favorite tools or any you want help tuning and sharpening. Emphasis will be placed on learning skills and techniques that you can take home with you (of course you get your chair too). One student at a time is usually my limit, but a pair of friends is also welcome.

Tuition is $1,000 per person

Classes

Roy Underhill is opening The Woodwright's School in downtown historic Pittsboro, NC, a short drive from my house. I will be teaching a stool class and a rocker class this winter, with Roy as a part-time assistant. Below are the class descriptions:

Windsor High Stool with Hand Tools: An excellent introduction to chairmaking techniques, this elegant stool is a great addition to any bar or work table. Learn the hand tool skills and joinery techniques by which well-constructed Windsor chairs are made as you split a log, shape the legs with drawknives and spokeshaves, hollow the seat using inshaves and travishers, and assemble the chair using hand drills.
3-day class, March 13th-14th & March 21st, 2010

Windsor Rocker with Hand Tools: Have the pleasure of constructing a traditionally-built Windsor rocker entirely with hand tools. Learn the hand tool skills and joinery techniques by which well-constructed Windsor chairs are made. Split a log, shape the crest and spindles with drawknives and spokeshaves, hollow the seat using inshaves and travishers, and assemble the chair using hand drills.
6-day class, March 22nd to 27th, 2010

I will be teaching a Fan Back chairmaking class at the John C. Campbell Folk School from October 24th to 31th, 2010 in Brasstown, NC.

Fan Back Windsor Chair with Hand Tools: Have the pleasure of constructing a traditionally-built Windsor chair entirely with hand tools. Learn the hand tool skills and joinery techniques by which well-constructed Windsor chairs are made. Split a log, shape the crest and spindles with drawknives and spokeshaves, hollow the seat using inshaves and travishers, and assemble the chair using hand drills. Open to all levels of students who enjoy plenty of long hours and hard work.


"I have been making Windsor chairs for 7 years and sell at craft shows. I came hoping to learn a few new techniques and left with a completely new method of chair making that will greatly improve the quality of my chairs." Doug McAvoy		Teaching One-on-One Instruction Spend a week in a professional chairshop building a Windsor chair. Starting with a log you will split parts with a froe, work them down with a drawknife, and bend them in ith inshaves and travishers, you will bore the holes freehand and assemble the chair using wet/dry joinery to lock the chair together. Turning instruction is covered. Turned parts are also available depending on what skills you wish to emphasize. My shop is located in the woods of northern Chatham County, North Carolina. A scenic fifteen minute drive brings you to the quaint shops of Pittboro to the south, and the lively college town of Chapel Hill to the north. A number of bed-and-breakfasts are located nearby and Chapel Hill has more restaurants than a horse has fleas, if your appetite can withstand the analogy. All tools are provided, but you are encouraged to bring your favorite tools or any you want help tuning and sharpening. Emphasis will be placed on learning skills and techniques that you can take home with you (of course you get your chair too). One student at a time is usually my limit, but a pair of friends is also welcome. Tuition is $1,000 per person Classes Roy Underhill is opening The Woodwright's School in downtown historic Pittsboro, NC, a short drive from my house. I will be teaching a stool class and a rocker class this winter, with Roy as a part-time assistant. Below are the class descriptions: Windsor High Stool with Hand Tools: An excellent introduction to chairmaking techniques, this elegant stool is a great addition to any bar or work table. Learn the hand tool skills and joinery techniques by which well-constructed Windsor chairs are made as you split a log, shape the legs with drawknives and spokeshaves, hollow the seat using inshaves and travishers, and assemble the chair using hand drills. 3-day class, March 13th-14th & March 21st, 2010 Windsor Rocker with Hand Tools: Have the pleasure of constructing a traditionally-built Windsor rocker entirely with hand tools. Learn the hand tool skills and joinery techniques by which well-constructed Windsor chairs are made. Split a log, shape the crest and spindles with drawknives and spokeshaves, hollow the seat using inshaves and travishers, and assemble the chair using hand drills. 6-day class, March 22nd to 27th, 2010 I will be teaching a Fan Back chairmaking class at the John C. Campbell Folk School from October 24th to 31th, 2010 in Brasstown, NC. Fan Back Windsor Chair with Hand Tools: Have the pleasure of constructing a traditionally-built Windsor chair entirely with hand tools. Learn the hand tool skills and joinery techniques by which well-constructed Windsor chairs are made. Split a log, shape the crest and spindles with drawknives and spokeshaves, hollow the seat using inshaves and travishers, and assemble the chair using hand drills. Open to all levels of students who enjoy plenty of long hours and hard work.