Foundational Woodworking Class
1/30/08 - 4th Day - Before Breakfast. Homestead Heritage, day 3 of 6. Larry and I are in Elm Mott, Texas - just north of Waco, taking a 6 day foundational woodworking with hand tools class.
Monday was a very busy day in class. Basically they did about a 2-3 day course in one day. We started by learning how to sharpen hand tools (mainly saws and chisels - on Tuesday we learned about sharpening planes) and how to saw. I never knew that I didn't know how to saw, but I didn't. There was a massive amount of good info and tips. We practiced sawing for awhile, then we learned how to make dovetails. The end goal of this exercise is to make a small shaker candle box. We practiced dove tails for awhile, then they started us on making the candle box. Every hour or so we would gather 'round and the teacher (Frank) would teach us a new skill or so. I finished the four "walls" of the box at 4:45. Yesterday we finished the boxes with a hinged lid and base. Then we began to learn dado joints. Today we start on a small arched shelf unit. Later we are going to make an "occasional" table, which is a small end or curio table. On Monday Frank took us to the shop and he showed us the stuff they sell. They have some VERY expensive furniture. They make a hand crafted Brazos rocker that goes for over $3000. The class where you make that rocker is $1800 and it is 12 days long, but you leave with a finished rocker. They also have a six day class where you start on Monday with a big chunk of log and you finish on Saturday with a finished Windsor chair. Their plain dinner tables are about $2400, and the occasional table we are making sells for $225. Frank showed us a bureau he just sold. He was asking $17,000 but sold it (he says "gave it away") for $10,000. Most of their rocking chairs go for $1800 to $3400.
I was quizzed a little on our homestead and our community, kind of just a curiosity thing. Frank and Mark are very nice and are very good wood craft teachers. I can't imagine how long it would take to learn all of this stuff out of books.
Oh, there are two females in the class. One short-haired, jeans wearing "missionary" and Bible teacher who lives in Cuba (VERY loud-mouthed). From her comes an endless stream of words about herself and her life, even if no one in particular is listening. I know more about her than I know about some of my closest friends, which is sad. When she isn't talking, a blessed quiet descends on everyone around her - but that doesn't happen often. There is also another lady from Oklahoma City who seems very nice. Several yankees in the class. I am very encouraged to take the more advanced classes, and to build a shop and get tools as soon as possible.
I am very tired. Standing in one place is hard work. You don't realize how long you have been standing in one place, hunched over, until it is time to go home. We start every morning at 8:30 and each day is a very full day.
We are taking a camera with us today and hope to get some pics to post at some time.
Hey, y'all be cool and I'll try to post soon.
Michael
Monday was a very busy day in class. Basically they did about a 2-3 day course in one day. We started by learning how to sharpen hand tools (mainly saws and chisels - on Tuesday we learned about sharpening planes) and how to saw. I never knew that I didn't know how to saw, but I didn't. There was a massive amount of good info and tips. We practiced sawing for awhile, then we learned how to make dovetails. The end goal of this exercise is to make a small shaker candle box. We practiced dove tails for awhile, then they started us on making the candle box. Every hour or so we would gather 'round and the teacher (Frank) would teach us a new skill or so. I finished the four "walls" of the box at 4:45. Yesterday we finished the boxes with a hinged lid and base. Then we began to learn dado joints. Today we start on a small arched shelf unit. Later we are going to make an "occasional" table, which is a small end or curio table. On Monday Frank took us to the shop and he showed us the stuff they sell. They have some VERY expensive furniture. They make a hand crafted Brazos rocker that goes for over $3000. The class where you make that rocker is $1800 and it is 12 days long, but you leave with a finished rocker. They also have a six day class where you start on Monday with a big chunk of log and you finish on Saturday with a finished Windsor chair. Their plain dinner tables are about $2400, and the occasional table we are making sells for $225. Frank showed us a bureau he just sold. He was asking $17,000 but sold it (he says "gave it away") for $10,000. Most of their rocking chairs go for $1800 to $3400.
I was quizzed a little on our homestead and our community, kind of just a curiosity thing. Frank and Mark are very nice and are very good wood craft teachers. I can't imagine how long it would take to learn all of this stuff out of books.
Oh, there are two females in the class. One short-haired, jeans wearing "missionary" and Bible teacher who lives in Cuba (VERY loud-mouthed). From her comes an endless stream of words about herself and her life, even if no one in particular is listening. I know more about her than I know about some of my closest friends, which is sad. When she isn't talking, a blessed quiet descends on everyone around her - but that doesn't happen often. There is also another lady from Oklahoma City who seems very nice. Several yankees in the class. I am very encouraged to take the more advanced classes, and to build a shop and get tools as soon as possible.
I am very tired. Standing in one place is hard work. You don't realize how long you have been standing in one place, hunched over, until it is time to go home. We start every morning at 8:30 and each day is a very full day.
We are taking a camera with us today and hope to get some pics to post at some time.
Hey, y'all be cool and I'll try to post soon.
Michael
posted by Michael Bunker at 1/30/2008 04:44:00 AM
5 Comments:
It's good to read your report on what you've been learning the last few days. What a blessing to not only acquire these new skills but have a finished project to take back home with you.
Ok, I will now let some blessed quietness descend once more! :-)
Michael,
I probably missed it from a previous post, but can you tell me more about this woodworking class? It sounds very interesting. Where is it offered? How much does it cost? ETC.
Thanks.
Steve
Michael,
Enjoyed reading of what you're learning, about it's challenges, etc. The "sawing properly" challenge was esp. interesting, though I don't doubt it one bit. Oh the things we take for granted!
Praying all goes well in finishing up your week!
Now the women comments? Please give me Debbie's level of submissiveness Lord!!
Beth
Steve, I posted a link in the next blog. If you can't find it, google "homestead heritage" and woodworking. There is plenty of info there. If you have any other questions, email me and I can send you more info.
Michael
Thanks Michael. I found it.
Dumb question... What is your email? The "email me" botton on the bottom of the page isn't working for me.
I really would love to participate in these classes, but unfortunately TX is to far for me. I live in CT. Though, inspired, I looked around our area for anything similar to that school and found this:
http://www.schoolofwoodworking.com/
Granted, the focus isn't on hand tools only, but it's a start.
Steve
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home