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 steam bend the back. You will hollow the seat with inshaves and travishers, 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 $1,250 per person

Need turning instruction? Want to make a stool? I am happy to teach shorter classes on a variety of topics, customized to match your specific interests. $250/day

Classes

I will be teaching the following classes at schools around the country:

Continuous Arm chairmaking class at The American College of the Building Arts in Charleston, South Carolina from March 17th to 23rd, 2012. The college's goal is to provide a opportunity for their students to take a chairmaking class, so they can offer the class to the public at an incredible price. Seven days in the shop, downtown Charleston in the spring, what could be better?

Two Continuous Arm Rocker chairmaking classes at Roy Underhill's The Woodwright's School from May 6th to 12th and August 12th to 18th, 2012 in Pittsboro, NC.

Loop Back Side Chair class co-taught with Dave Sawyer, also at the The Woodwright's School, from October 22nd to 26th, 2012. Sawyer has been building chairs for nearly 40 years and has taught many of today's premier chairmakers. This is a rare chance to learn from a legend.

Fan Back Side Chair class at the John C. Campbell Folk School from September 14th to 21st, 2012 in Brasstown, NC.


"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 Take a glimpse into a chairmaking class in these photos of my rocking chair workshop at The Woodwright's School, taken by student Emily Neel.		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 steam bend the back. You will hollow the seat with inshaves and travishers, 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 $1,250 per person Need turning instruction? Want to make a stool? I am happy to teach shorter classes on a variety of topics, customized to match your specific interests. $250/day Classes I will be teaching the following classes at schools around the country: Continuous Arm chairmaking class at The American College of the Building Arts in Charleston, South Carolina from March 17th to 23rd, 2012. The college's goal is to provide a opportunity for their students to take a chairmaking class, so they can offer the class to the public at an incredible price. Seven days in the shop, downtown Charleston in the spring, what could be better? Two Continuous Arm Rocker chairmaking classes at Roy Underhill's The Woodwright's School from May 6th to 12th and August 12th to 18th, 2012 in Pittsboro, NC. Loop Back Side Chair class co-taught with Dave Sawyer, also at the The Woodwright's School, from October 22nd to 26th, 2012. Sawyer has been building chairs for nearly 40 years and has taught many of today's premier chairmakers. This is a rare chance to learn from a legend. Fan Back Side Chair class at the John C. Campbell Folk School from September 14th to 21st, 2012 in Brasstown, NC.