Chairmaking Classes

Individual Instruction

Spend a week building a chair in a professional chair shop. Starting with a log, split out the parts, shave them on a shaving horse and bend the back in a steam box. Using inshaves and travishers you will carve the seat, then learn to bore and ream the holes freehand. Turning is covered and turned parts are also available, depending on what skills you wish to emphasize. Assembly using a variety of factors to increase the joint’s stability (moisture content, grain orientation, etc.) is covered in depth.

My shop is located beside my home in the woods of northern Chatham County, fifteen minutes drive south-west of Chapel Hill, NC. Numerous bed-and-breakfasts are located less than fifteen minutes away and Chapel Hill has many wonderful restaurants, breweries and music venues.

One student is normally my limit, but a pair of friends is also welcome. I supply all the necessary tools, but if you have questions about sharpening or tool design I encourage you to bring tools. All levels of students are welcome, but you must enjoy plenty of long hours and hard work. Please contact me for more information and scheduling.

Classes

I will be teaching a Continuous Arm chairmaking class at the John C. Campbell Folk School from November 16th to 23rd, 2008 in Brasstown, NC. Below is the class description:

Continuous Arm 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. Learn turning from a Chair Bodger, a professional turner who provides parts for chairmakers. Open to all levels of students who enjoy plenty of long hours and hard work.


		Individual Instruction Spend a week building a chair in a professional chair shop. Starting with a log, split out the parts, shave them on a shaving horse and bend the back in a steam box. Using inshaves and travishers you will carve the seat, then learn to bore and ream the holes freehand. Turning is covered and turned parts are also available, depending on what skills you wish to emphasize. Assembly using a variety of factors to increase the joint’s stability (moisture content, grain orientation, etc.) is covered in depth. My shop is located beside my home in the woods of northern Chatham County, fifteen minutes drive south-west of Chapel Hill, NC. Numerous bed-and-breakfasts are located less than fifteen minutes away and Chapel Hill has many wonderful restaurants, breweries and music venues. One student is normally my limit, but a pair of friends is also welcome. I supply all the necessary tools, but if you have questions about sharpening or tool design I encourage you to bring tools. All levels of students are welcome, but you must enjoy plenty of long hours and hard work. Please contact me for more information and scheduling. Tuition is $1,000 Classes I will be teaching a Continuous Arm chairmaking class at the John C. Campbell Folk School from November 16th to 23rd, 2008 in Brasstown, NC. Below is the class description: Continuous Arm 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. Learn turning from a Chair Bodger, a professional turner who provides parts for chairmakers. Open to all levels of students who enjoy plenty of long hours and hard work.