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 has opened The Woodwright's School in downtown historic Pittsboro, NC, a short drive from my house. I will be teaching two rocking chair classes this summer, with Roy as a part-time assistant.

"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."

Continuous Arm Rocker with Hand Tools: 6-day class, July 5th -10th, 2010

Windsor Rocker with Hand Tools: As seen in the photo above. 6-day class, August 23rd - 28th, 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 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 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 has opened The Woodwright's School in downtown historic Pittsboro, NC, a short drive from my house. I will be teaching two rocking chair classes this summer, with Roy as a part-time assistant. "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." Continuous Arm Rocker with Hand Tools: 6-day class, July 5th -10th, 2010 Windsor Rocker with Hand Tools: As seen in the photo above. 6-day class, August 23rd - 28th, 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.