In this 5-day class students will construct a unique side table while learning the basics of solid wood construction, exposed-dowel joinery, and finishing. Kelly loves to teach people how to use power tools, and safety will be her focus as the students learn how to use many common shop tools, including the bandsaw, miter saw, table saw, jointer, planer, drill press, and router table. Students will learn to use several types of jigs throughout the project. Additionally, they will learn how to fabricate simple dowel jigs that will allow them to create joints that are both functional and decorative. Spontaneous learning opportunities will ensure that students learn basic problem-solving skills that will be useful as they work on future projects. As time allows, each student will be encouraged to embellish their project with pyrography (wood burning), carved textures, ebonizing, application of color, etc., so that the table created is reflective of each student’s personal aesthetic. The class will also include strategies for successful glue-ups and discuss simple finishing techniques. By the end of the class each person will have a unique table and a newfound confidence in their woodworking skills!

Topics to be covered:

• The safe use of common hand and power tools
• Reading plans
• Successful construction techniques for solid wood
• Exposed-dowel joinery
• Use of shop-made jigs
• Problem solving skills
• Successful, stress-free glue-ups
• Use of sub-tops in lieu of aprons to attach a leg substructure to a table top
• Creative use of wood, aluminum and acrylic dowels
• Intro to embellishment techniques: wood burning, textures, ebonizing and color
• Easy finishing techniques

Student tool list:

GOTTA HAVE

• Tape measure (I prefer a 12’ tape)
• 6” steel rule (I like to use a hook rule, many options at Amazon, Woodcraft, Rockler, etc.)
• 12” steel rule (I use the one out of my sliding square – WCW has a sliding square at each bench)
• Sketch book
• Pencils

NICE TO HAVE

• 4” double square (again, Starrett is an excellent brand, iGaging is more reasonably priced but I don’t know its level of accuracy)
• Cordless drill (strongly recommended, I prefer Hitachi 12V tools as they are lightweight and fit my hand nicely)
• Slim marking knife and blades (suggest Olfa brand available at Home Depot in the paint department where the putty knives are sold, part #SVR-2)
• Safety glasses
• Dust mask
• Ear plugs or ear muffs