Join us at the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute to make a unique band saw box. Class is intended for those with limited to moderate woodworking skills. We will design a box or students may choose a template provided in class.
This class is geared toward people who have beginner woodworking skills and want to learn more advanced techniques, but students new to the woodshop are also welcome to join! Students will learn the skill of hand cut dovetails while using layout tools, chisels and handsaws. At the end of the class, you will take home a step stool that is practical yet beautiful enough to leave out on display.
Join master woodworker Jeff Wyatt in our Sculpted Elegance: Crafting a Maloof-Inspired Rocker course, where you will design and build a beautiful, sculptured rocking chair inspired by the iconic style of Sam Maloof. Over the course of this workshop, you’ll dive deep into advanced woodworking techniques, blending both artistry and craftsmanship to create a functional piece of art.
Have you ever wanted to unlock the secrets of a razor-sharp edge? Join SBWI Alumni and Instructor Carolyn Racine for a one day workshop on sharpening hand planes and chisels. The key to using hand tools correctly is a sharp edge - learn how the masters make it look so easy. Learn several techniques to make your hand plane and chisel edge “shaving sharp”.
Explore the world of woodturning. Students will learn the basics of spindle turning and bowl turning in a fun and informative weekend. Projects to be completed include a woodcarving mallet and a bowl as well as various knick-knacks that will be created while doing exercises.
We’ll get that old dusty hand plane back into action in this one day workshop! We will polish, sharpen, and tune up the body of your hand plane to get it into user ready condition. The key to using hand tools correctly is a sharp edge and proper setup - learn how the masters make it look so easy.
Build a Windsor Continuous Arm Chair with Chair maker Luke A. Barnett. Students will join us for a 7-day class. We will start with logs on Monday morning and finish with a continuous armchair on Saturday. Students who have not completed their chair or are making a rocking chair will return Sunday.
Explore the world of woodturning. Students will learn the basics of spindle turning and bowl turning in a fun and informative weekend. Projects to be completed include a woodcarving mallet and a bowl as well as various knick-knacks that will be created while doing exercises.
Starting with an overview on how to determine the forces and loads a traditional timber frame structure (or really any structure) will see over the course of its lifetime, the course focus will transition into sizing of beams, as well as a primer on basic joinery and connection design. In order to break up the class room portion, we will design a basic timber frame joint, calculate its allowable design strength, and then fabricate it out of timber. After the joints are fabricated, we will “bust” them by pulling them apart using a hydraulic load frame, with friendly bragging rights awarded for the best prediction of strength and best capacity.
This course focuses on timber frames. Students will learn about material science of wood, what makes a timber frame appealing, and why timber frames are more environmentally friendly, sustainable, and energy-efficient than traditional stick frame structures.
Spend a full day at the lathe with woodturner Matt Harber and dive into the art of creating elegant finial perfect toppers for ornaments, lidded boxes, or display turnings. You’ll turn three classic styles: Conical / Tapered Finial, Spiral Ribbon Finial, and Topper Finial.
Begin your upholstery journey with this entry level and versatile project - a wrapped and stapled seat cushion. Whether you want to reupholster old furniture or add upholstery to furniture you build, this class will teach you the basic tools and techniques. The wrap and staple upholstery method can be used on a variety of furniture pieces such as dining chairs, bar stools, ottomans, head boards and more.
This class is comprised of two separate projects: Basic Bowl and Round Box. Each project will reinforce basic bowl turning skills and introduce new techniques.
Learn all about the most common power tools and make your own tool caddy! Using woodworking machines without proper training can be dangerous. This course will teach you to use tools safely so you can focus on enjoying your time in the shop.
Join us at the SBWI for an exclusive one-day Lumber Grading course led by industry veteran Bob Vogel, former CEO of Hardwoods of Michigan. In 2010, Bob was named as one of North Americas 50 most influential people in the hardwood lumber Industry.
Cutting boards are the perfect project for people at the front end of their woodworking journey. They are made from beautiful hardwoods and they will add a lot of character to anyone's kitchen.
Build a Windsor Balloon Back or Fan Back Side Chair with Chairmaker Luke A. Barnett. Students will join us for a 5-day class. Students can choose to build either a balloon back or a fan back side chair.
Explore the world of woodturning. Students will learn the basics of spindle turning and bowl turning in a fun and informative weekend. Projects to be completed include a woodcarving mallet and a bowl as well as various knick-knacks that will be created while doing exercises.
Begin your upholstery journey with this entry-level and versatile project - a wrapped and stapled seat cushion. Whether you want to reupholster old furniture or add upholstery to furniture you build, this class will teach you the basic tools and techniques. The wrap and staple upholstery method can be used on a variety of furniture pieces such as dining chairs, bar stools, ottomans, head boards and more.
Do you have a nearly complete project at home that’s ready for that perfect finishing touch? (Or two? We all do!) Let’s tackle one together in this hands-on finishing workshop. We will demystify the many different wood finishes on the market and how to choose the right finish for your project. You will learn best practices for surface preparation, application methods, and achieving your desired aesthetics.
End grain cutting boards and butcher blocks are very durable and with proper care can last for generations. They are great for form and function as they are both beautiful and utilitarian. Use them daily in your kitchen or just leave them on your counter for decoration, they are great conversation pieces.
Spend a day mastering the Shakers’ timeless method for bending thin wood into elegant oval boxes. Through live demonstrations and plenty of hands-on practice, you’ll discover how heat and moisture make wood flexible, then learn the precise steps for shaping, fastening, and finishing a matched set of three nesting boxes. No prior experience or tools are required—all materials and equipment are provided.
Learn scroll saw basics while creating a unique, handcrafted ornament - the perfect gift to loved ones or a little slice of holiday cheer. In this class, students will learn scroll saw safety with proper blade selection, installation, and tension. You will also learn how to transfer a pattern, proper techniques with cutting, blade-entry holes, and table squaring. Students can choose from a variety of ornament designs and will be able to create multiple pieces to take home. We will also have milk paint available to add embellishment to your ornament.
Build a full-sized dining room table in a weekend. Bring a friend at no extra charge. Design your table to fit your home. Table tops will be chosen from a variety of hardwoods, and the legs will be pine.
This class is geared toward people who have beginner woodworking skills and want to learn more advanced techniques, but students new to the woodshop are also welcome to join! Students will learn the skill of hand cut dovetails while using layout tools, chisels and handsaws. At the end of the class, you will take home a step stool that is practical yet beautiful enough to leave out on display.
Build a Modern Windsor Rocking Chair with Chair maker Luke A. Barnett. Students will join us for a 7-day class. We will start with logs on Monday morning and finish with a rocking chair on Sunday.
Dive into the world of Mid Century Modern design with our Funky Footstool Workshop. In this two-day course, you'll learn the foundational skills of woodworking and upholstery by constructing a stylish and functional footstool. This project is perfect for beginners looking to gain hands-on experience in both crafts.
This class is geared toward people who have beginner woodworking skills and want to learn more advanced techniques, but students new to the woodshop are also welcome to join! Students will learn the skill of hand cut dovetails while using layout tools, chisels and handsaws. At the end of the class, you will take home a step stool that is practical yet beautiful enough to leave out on display.
With the guidance of an experienced instructor, you’ll get hands-on with real tools and machines—yes, you will be running a table saw, miter saw, band saw, and more (safely, of course). You’ll learn the same safety standards used in professional shops, and by the end of the day, you’ll walk away with serious skills and a certification to prove it.
Red Pine sculpture in the general style of Mike Sasaki’s wood forms, which are smooth, abstract, freestanding and geometrically and/or organically inclined.
Step back in time and immerse yourself in the art and craft of axe work in this 6-day immersive course. The Thoreau’s Cabin Series, Part 1: The Art & Craft of Axes is designed for anyone interested in learning the history, anatomy, and practical use of one of the most essential tools in woodworking and timber processing. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced woodsman, this hands-on course will equip you with the skills to handle an axe with confidence and precision.
Step into the world of traditional craftsmanship in Thoreau’s Cabin Series, Part 2: Hand Tool Timber Framing. In this immersive 6-day course, students will build a full-scale replica of Henry David Thoreau’s famous cabin at Walden Pond, gaining firsthand experience in the fundamentals of timber framing—all using hand tools.
The final phase of building Thoreau’s Cabin is ensuring its protection from the elements, and this 6-day immersive course will teach students how to split (rive) wood using traditional hand tools to create the materials needed for roofing, siding, and interior lath work.
