Machine Woodworking 101

Come and learn the basics of machine woodworking! Starting with basic machine safety and an understanding of wood characteristics, you will learn how to turn raw lumber into a small project. 

skills: Learn rough and finished milling.  Jointing, planing, ripping, grooves, dados, rabbets, glue-ups, surface prep…  Build a slide-top box that incorporates these skills. 

dates: Tuesdays and Thursdays; January 30th to February 15th; 6pm to 8:15pm

T 1/30, Th 2/1

T 2/6, Th 2/8

T 2/13, Th 2/15

instructor: Justin Garnache, North Bennet St alum and furniture maker.

prerequisite: none. 

tools/safety: Eye protection, hearing protection, combination square (we recommend Starrett but there are cheaper options.

materials: Wood (poplar) and glue provided. 

price: $700 -- CLASS TO BE OFFERED THROUGH NEEDHAM COMMUNITY EDUCATION (NCE) in their winter/spring catalog

Anyone can register when the winter/spring '23 catalog is released. Visit nce.reg.eleyo.com or by phone to NCE at 781-455-0400 x5.

Learn to use a plane and chisel to make a sharpening stone box

Learn the basic techniques for sharpening, tuning and using hand planes, chisels and router planes. Develop skills for flattening and squaring boards, laying out dimensions with precision and paring, chopping and hand routing. Understand the nature of wood grain direction and its impact on hand tool woodworking.

skills:  

This class will cover how to safely and effectively utilize three basic hand tools: a hand plane, a chisel and a router plane. Through demonstrations and exercises, we will use a hand plane to dimension, smooth and square wood for an oil stone box. We will learn to precisely layout our design with a knife and marking gauge and how to chop and pare with a chisel. Finally, we will finish our boxes with a router plane. The instructor will also address any questions you may have along the way. Project materials (such as wood) are covered by the cost of the class. Tools (planes, chisels, marking gauges and knives, and router planes) will be provided. Please bring an accurate combination square and pencil.. 

dates: Tuesdays and Thursdays; March 12th to March 28th; 6pm to 8:15pm

T 3/12, Th 3/14

T 3/19, Th 3/21

T 3/26, Th 3/28

instructor: Peter Stein and Justin Garnache, North Bennet St alums and furniture makers.

prerequisite: none. 

tools/safety: Combination square (we recommend Starrett but there are cheaper options). Other tools will be provided.

materials: Wood and glue provided. 

price: $600 -- CLASS TO BE OFFERED THROUGH NEEDHAM COMMUNITY EDUCATION (NCE) in their winter/spring catalog

Anyone can register when the winter/spring '23 catalog is released. Visit nce.reg.eleyo.com or by phone to NCE at 781-455-0400 x5.

Come work on a project of your choosing.  An instructor will be on hand to dispense safety, design, and technique advice.  No experience required-- but every machine and woodworking action requires safety training.

skills: Whatever you want to learn!

dates: TO BE SCHEDULED

instructor: Justin Garnache

class size: 6

prerequisite: none. 

tools/safety equipment: Bring your own hearing protection and safety glasses.

materials: Bring your own lumber or use extra pieces from our lumber cart.

price: $340

skills: Choose a project or skill to learn (e.g. nightstand, sharpening, finishing, coffee table...)

dates: Schedule with an instructor

instructor(s): Peter Stein, Justin Garnache, Dylan Josephs

prerequisite: None

tools/safety: Eye protection, hearing protection, combination square.

materials: tbd

price: $125/hr

Learn the relaxing art of spoon-making.  Experiment with different shaping tools including hook knives, spoon gouges, and rasps. This practice is one of the best ways to understand how to use grain direction to your advantage.  Come away with a beautiful gift and possibly your new favorite meditation.

skills: Safely shape wood using hand tools.  Learn to design and carve an aesthetically pleasing and ergonomic form.   Understand grain direction, as well as how to keep tools sharp.

dates: TO BE SCHEDULED.

instructor: Jared Abner (www.jaredabnerstudio.com)

class size: 8 students

prerequisite: none. 

tools/safety equipment: Safety glasses provided (feel free to bring any of your own carving or sharpening tools)

materials: Wood provided (various species)

price: $175

skills: Learn mortise and tenoning, advanced tablesaw techniques and hand woodworking skills.

dates: TO BE SCHEDULED

instructor: Justin Garnache, North Bennet St alum and furniture maker.

prerequisite: Some basic machine woodworking safety.

tools/safety: Eye protection, hearing protection, combination square (we recommend Starrett but there are cheaper options.

materials: Wood (cherry) and glue provided. 

price: $725

skills: Learn how to organize a pattern with a sequence of cuts and glue-ups.  Use a drum sander.  Router for handholds and/or trough.

dates: TO BE SCHEDULED 

instructor: Justin Garnache, North Bennet St School (NBSS) alum and furniture maker.

prerequisite: Machine room safety training.

tools/safety: Eye protection, hearing protection, combination square

materials: Lumber and glue provided

price: $425 

skills: Learn how to make a step stool with splayed legs. You will use a sliding bevel gauge and test block to accurately set angled aprons on the tablesaw—learning this technique gives you the ability to create elegant coffee tables and side tables.  Rough milling will be done for you.

dates: 6 classes; Mondays and Weds beginning 11/6/2023; 6:00 PM - 8:15 PM.  Last class adjusted for Thanksgiving.

Mon 11/6, Wed 11/8

Mon 11/13, Wed 11/15

Mon 11/20, Tues 11/21

instructor: Justin Garnache

prerequisite: Safety training on relevant machines, including jointer, thickness planer, table saw, router (can be done prior in private instruction or a group). Some experience using woodworking machines required. 

tools/safety: Eye protection, hearing protection, combination square.  Sliding bevel gauge.

materials: Wood and hardware provided. Cherry lumber and wood screws.

price: $725.