Course Syllabus
Foundations for Fine Woodworking is designed to teach and prepare students the techniques and skills required to build fine furniture.
Foundations - 2 focuses on the joinery used in the construction of furniture. While machine cut joinery will be discussed and demonstrated extensively, hand tools will be used to layout and cut mortise and tenon joints and both through and half-blind dovetails.
Description: Registrants will be instructed through lecture, demonstrations, and hands on experience in the following areas and/or topics:
A. Joinery I
1. Complete examination of joints that may be used in the construction of fine furniture and their degree of acceptability in various applications.
2. Demonstration and discussion of hand tools, machines and various jigs used to layout and cut joinery.
3. Review the milling process.
4. Review of sharpening and tuning techniques to allow both hand and power tools to perform to peak efficiency.
5. LAB: Participants will layout and hand cut mortise and tenon joints and both hand cut through and half-blind dovetails
B. Joinery II
1. Discussion of methods and joinery used to keep large flat surfaces flat in spite of continuous wood movement. Discussion of frame and panel, breadboard, and board and batten construction. Demonstration and discussion of machine cut joinery.
2. LAB: Participants will practice cutting joinery with hand tools and time permitting, certain techniques with power tools.
Instructional Level: Beginner to intermediate
Prerequisite: Must have completed Foundations 1
What to bring: eye protection, hearing protection, marking pencil, marking knife, knife marking gauge, combination marking gauge, sharp ¼”, 3/8”, and ½” chisels, sliding T bevel, small square (4-6”), back saw, coping saw, block plane.
Homework: Homework will be assigned to include practicing learned techniques and reading assignments.
Length of Course: 2 days (16 hours)
Course Fee: $250.00 plus a $25.00 materials fee