Classes

We have a great line up of classes for 2009! Not only will you get to work with Mike but also some fantastic visiting instructors like Garrett Hack, Adam Cherubini, Mary May, and Tom Schrunk. With a maximum of 9 students in a class you will get plenty of one on one time with your instructors. Classes are held in my shop on a quiet rural setting 35 miles north of the Twin Cities. We want our classes to be fun and relaxing as well as educational. Snacks and beverages will be on hand throughout the day and a healthy lunch will be provided. The shop is air conditioned.

2008 Class Schedule

Introduction to Woodworking with Mike Siemsen

Date: November 22nd, changed from the 15th
Cost: Free
Materials: none
Skill Level:All

Course Description

Feeling lost, lots of questions? If you are new to woodworking come in and discuss your options. Get your questions answered, cut through the confusion. Don't forget! Even though it is free you still need to sign-up!

Women in Woodworking with Mike Siemsen

Date: December 6th, 2008, 9:00am – 12:00
Cost: Free
Materials: None
Skill Level: All

Course Description

Get your questions about woodworking answered without a bunch of pesky men around. Let me know what women in our area are seeking for instruction. Women only. Don't forget! Even though it is free you still need to sign-up!

2009 class schedule — More details and classes to come!

Outstanding Projects with Mike Siemsen

Date: January 10th, 2009, 9:00am – 12:00
Cost: Free
Materials: None
Skill Level: All

Course Description

Do you have an unfinished project languishing in a corner of your shop? Make it a New Year's resolution to get it done. We will discuss what it is that is keeping you from finishing your project, demonstrate some solutions and, if need be, plan a time to work on what it is that is holding you up. Get unstuck. Don't forget! Even though it is free you still need to sign-up!

Make a Windsor Chair with Mike Siemsen

Date:Three Weekends, January 24th – 25th, January 31st – February 1st, February 7th – February 8th
Cost: $680
Materials: Included,
Skill Level: All

Course Description

Make a Bow Back Windsor Chair from start to finish with hand tools. Riving, steam bending, shaving, sawing, boring and turning are some of the techniques we will use to create this traditional chair. We will split the class up. With two instructors to keep you moving through the many steps to complete you chair. While half the group is turning the other half will saddle out chair seats, then we'll switch. This gives you more instructor attention and we need fewer specialty chairmaking tools!

Tools

You do not need to buy any tools for this class. If you have your own chair making tools bring them along.

Tools you could bring include
Drawknife
Spokeshave
Small Froe
Brace and Bits
Bevel
Travisher
Scorp
Protractor
Small hammer

Introduction to Hand Tools with Mike Siemsen

Date: Three Days, February 11th, 12th, 13th
Cost: $400
Materials: Included
Skill level: All

Course Description

Delve into the world of Hand tools, how to use them, where to buy them, how to get them ready for work. How to make your own. Try out some various hand tools and learn some techniques. You'll be glad you did!

Tools

Bring in your hand tools!

Hepplewhite Side Table with Mike Siemsen

Date: Three Weekends, February 21st –22nd, February 28– March 1, March 7 – March 8
Cost: $650
Materials: $100
Skill Level: All

Course Description

A small table with a drawer is an excellent way to develop your woodworking skills and learn some joinery. Learn about layout, mortise and tenon, dovetailing, and sharpening chisels and planes. For the more advanced students we will do some inlay work.

Tools

Smooth plane
block plane
dovetail saw
carcass saw
marking gauge
knife
chisels
mallet for chisels
hammer

card scraper
square
rule
measuring tape
hearing protection
safety glasses
dust mask.

Build a Tall Case or “Grandfather” Clock with Mike Siemsen

Date: Six Weekends: Mar. 14–15, 21–22, 28–29, April 4–5, 18–19, 25–26 (we will skip Easter weekend)
Cost:$1400, includes hardware
Materials: $200 plus Movement
Skill Level: Intermediate

Course Description

A tall clock is an imposing piece of furniture. Built at a time when clocks were usually owned by scientists and the wealthy, the cases were typically ornate. Common people told time by the sun, or the town clock, which was free. While they appear to be rather daunting to build the construction can be broken down into manageable units. We will go over the basics of why a clock case is designed the way it is. We will build the case in three sections which can be completely assembled here or left apart to fit in your car or shipping crate. We will cover skills like layout, turning, carcass dovetails, mortise and tenon, making straight moldings, planing, scraping, carving the gooseneck moldings and cutting glass. A clock case is a tour de force of your woodworking skills and will be a family treasure for years to come. You can order movements from Green Lake Clock Company. You will need to have your dial painted, we can recommend a dial painter to you.

Tools

Carcass saw
sharp chisels
mallet, square
smooth plane
scrapers
sharpening equipment
marking gauges
large gouges (if you have them)
lay out knife
pencil
hammer
block plane
measuring tape
ruler
hearing protection
dust mask
safety glasses

Dovetail a Blanket Chest with Mike Siemsen

Six Days: May 4th – May 9th

Cost: $700, includes hand forged hinges
Materials: $150
Skill Level: All

Course Description

You will know how to cut dovetails when you leave this class! We will construct a scaled down version of a Pennsylvania Blanket Chest with half blind dovetails on the back corners and through dovetails on the front corners and on the straight bracket feet. Practice layout and cutting of dovetails, hand planing, tool sharpening and routing moldings. Completed chest will measure approximately 20×20×36 inches.

Tools

Dovetail and/or carcass saw
chisels
mallet for chisels
smoothing plane
block plane
marking gauge
hammer
card scraper
marking knife
square, rule
measuring tape
hearing protection
safety glasses
dust mask.

Introduction to 18th Century Period Woodworking with Adam Cherubini

Date: Four Days May 13–16
Cost: $600
Materials: Included
Skill Level:All

Course Description

The masterpieces of the 18th century were built using tools and techniques generally unfamiliar to us today. In this introductory class, Adam Cherubini will survey period estate inventories listing cabinetmakers' and joiners' tools to illustrate what tools were in common use in the 18th c. Students will have the opportunity to handle tools new and old, learn their function, and develop basic technique. The class won't delve into tool collecting, connoisseurship, or restoration (at least during normal class hours). Students will leave with a source based understanding of what tools existed, and basically how to use them. This is an introductory class for those interested in doing more of their woodwork by hand. It is highly recommended for anyone wishing to take any subsequent classes with Adam Cherubini.

About Adam

Adam Cherubini is a professional cabinetmaker who works entirely by hand. He has been twice recognized by Early American Life Magazine as one of the best Traditional Artisans in the Country. In addition to building furniture, Adam also makes replica hand tools in the 18th c style and serves as a contributing Editor for Popular Woodworking Magazine. Read more about Adam and his work at his website: www.adamcherubini.com or his blog www.artsandmysteries.com. Adam was recently interviewed by Craig Stevens. You can listen to that interview as a podcast here: http://blip.tv/file/1149497 Adam goes into a bit more detail about the class on his Arts and Mysteries blog.

Using Hand Planes with Mike Siemsen

Date: Two Days, May 23rd – May 24th
Cost: $250
Materials: Included
Skill Level: All

Course Description

Learn to sharpen, tune and use your hand planes. We will discuss, demonstrate, and use many types of planes. Learn how to deal with tricky grain, how to remove a lot of wood quickly, how to flatten a board, and make a simple molding. Get these useful tools out from under your bench and put them to work!

Tools Needed

Your hand planes!
your sharpening system (if its portable).

Relief Carving for Furniture with Mary May

Date: Six Days, June 1–6
Cost: $750
Materials: Included
Skill Level: All

Course Description

We will start out with tool sharpening and carving an Acanthus leaf, a scroll and a simple shell in Basswood. As we progress we will develop the class based on the needs and desires of the students. We may even tackle a Newport Shell! Be sure and bring some samples of carvings you have already done if you have any.

About Mary May

From a very early age Mary May has been interested in creating and building – no matter what the material. When she discovered wood carving, a world of design, challenge and beauty opened up that she had never imagined. Carving became a passion from the first cut in wood, and nearly 15 years later, she continues to grow, learn and love her craft. She endeavors to keep the art of traditional hand-carving alive, with minimal use of electric tools. Most of her wood carvings are traditional furniture, antique reproductions or architectural details. She has studied carving with noted carvers in the U.S, as well as, England, Greece and Malaysia. Visit her website at Mary May Carving.

Tools: Mary May recommends the Pfeil “Swiss Made” brand of chisels from Woodcraft or Wood and Wildcraft (full length, not palm, chisels)

Medium size v-chisel (#41, 5mm)
#3, 6 mm (a very handy size for many details)
#3 3 mm (for doing tiny details)
#6, 16 mm (medium sweep)
#4, 25 – 30 mm (large, almost flat gouge for flattening background)
#8, 10 mm (deeper gouge for taking a lot of wood out)
- Optional is a small veiner. Fishtail gouges are preferred, but not necessary.
- Bring in any other chisels you may have too, even if they are chipped.
For sharpening, each student will need:
- a very fine stone (whether Arkansas, Washita, or ceramic)
- slip stones that fit the insides of the gouges & v-chisel
- oil for the stone (I just use olive oil)
- leather strop

Hand Cut Dovetails with Mike Siemsen

Date: Two Days, June 27th – 28th
Cost: $250
Materials: Included
Skill Level: All

Course Description

Whether for drawers or case work dovetails are actually pretty basic woodworking. Learning to saw straight, cut to the line and chop and pare to your mark. At first it can be a bit difficult to keep it all straight. Pins first? Tails first? What's a pin or tail. Which piece it the waste? Whats a half pin? It will become clear as you learn to layout, saw and chop this signature woodworking joint. We will do through and half-blind joints.

Tools Needed:

Dovetail saw (for small joints)
Carcass saw (for casework joints)
Sharp Chisels
Mallet
Marking Gauge
Marking Knife
6" Square
Smooth Plane

Build a Shaker Side Table with Mike Siemsen

Date: Six Days, July 13th – July 18th
Cost: $650
Materials: $100
Skill Level: All

Course Description

This small Shaker side table is an excellent way to develop your joinery skills. You will practice turning, layout, mortise and tenon, dovetailing, sharpening and using chisels and planes .

Tools needed

Smooth plane
block plane
dovetail saw
carcass saw
marking gauge
knife, chisels
mallet for chisels
hammer
card scraper
square, rule
measuring tape
hearing protection
safety glasses
dust mask.

Veneer an Heirloom Table Top with Tom Schrunk

Date: Six Days, July 20–25
Cost: $700
Materials: $100, We will provide the substrate material and have an assortment of veneers on hand. If you plan to work with specific veneers you will need to bring them along or have them shipped to the shop. Crating materials will not be included. We will pick them up for you.
Skill Level: All

Course Description

Create a table top of your own design with Noted Veneer artist Tom Schrunk. The purpose of the class is to produce a veneered tabletop of heirloom quality. With the help of the instructor the student will design, cut, and press the veneer to a suitable core, ready for edging, sanding and the addition of legs and rails. Topics covered will be properties of veneer, design considerations, flattening, joining, repairs, inlay, marquetry, parquetry and vacuum bagging. Special topics such as radial cutting, layout, including sequence jumping, and working with burls will be covered. Class size will be limited to give Tom the opportunity to work individually with each student. The class will also include techniques for adding a solid border and the preparation of a quality shipping crate to insure the project gets home safely. Maximum size of top will be 45" x 84".

About Tom

Thomas Schrunk’s work with wood veneers has won numerous awards over the past twenty years. Named as one of the top five veneer artists in the US, his work is in collections across the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. He has taught wood veneer work for a number of years at novice through advanced levels. He has completed four Art Case pianos for Steinway & Sons, who describe his work as “inspired design” and “genius”. Tom has also authored several articles for Fine Woodworking Magazine.

Tools

utility knife, non-retractable recommended, extra blades
cutting mat, (18" X 24" recommended), self healing, from fabric store or art supply
30/60/90 degree and a 45 degree acrylic drafting triangle, preferably clear
Blue tape, 3/4" roll, 14 day removal type
Veneer tape (also available at class)
aluminum straight edge as cutting guide, 2" x 36" x 1/8"
1" x 2 1/2" or 1" x 3" Rectangular Aluminum tube 18" long for sanding
- We will have these last two items on hand for your purchase at cost

Sharpening and Tuning Hand Tools with Mike Siemsen

Date: Two Days, August 1st – August 2nd
Cost: $250
Materials: Included
Skill Level: All

Course Description

Learn to sharpen and prepare your chisels and planes, with a brief foray into handsaws. Flattening chisel and plane irons, rough grinding, tuning planes and using various methods of sharpening.

Tools

Your hand tools and current portable sharpening system

Build a Windsor Chair with Mike Siemsen

Date: Six days Aug. 24–29
Cost: $680
Materials: Included
Skill Level: All

Course Description

Tools, You do not need to buy any tools for this class.

If you have your own chair making tools bring them along.
- These would include
  - Drawknife
  - Spokeshave
  - Small Froe
  - Brace and Bits
  - Bevel
  - Travisher
  - Scorp
  - Protractor
  - Small hammer

Dovetail a Blanket Chest with Mike Siemsen

Date: Six Days: September 14th – September 19th
Cost: $700, includes hand forged hinges
Materials: $150
Skill Level: All

Course Description

You will know how to cut dovetails when you leave this class. We will construct a scaled down version of a Pennsylvania Blanket Chest with half blind dovetails on the back corners and through dovetails on the front corners and on the straight bracket feet. Layout and cutting of dovetails, hand planing, sharpening and routered moldings are some of the things you will practice.

Tools

Dovetail and/or carcass saw
chisels
mallet for chisels
smoothing plane
block plane
marking gauge
hammer
card scraper
marking knife
square
rule
measuring tape
hearing protection
safety glasses
dust mask

Make a Demi-Lune Table with Garrett Hack

Date: Six Days, October 5th – October 10th
Cost: $950
Materials: $170
Skill Level: Intermediate

Course Description

Of all of the tables I have built over the years this petite demilune or half elliptical design is one I return to again and again. It’s an elegant and very classy table rich with decorative possibilities and well suited to many uses. It’s also an excellent project to explore design, laminating to create curved parts, cutting angled joints, and using a variety of hand tools to size, smooth, and fit parts. As a class we will build the same table, with small variations possible in size and detail. We'll start by designing the curve of the apron, the taper and size of the legs, the joinery, the top overhang and details, and how everything fits together. Construction from there involves some machine setups, from cutting a set of legs to a pattern off the bandsaw to resawing laminations and cutting mortises. Then it will be careful work with planes and chisels refining parts, fitting joinery, smoothing surfaces to a polish, and trying your hand at some string inlay or other decorative details. The focus might be building an elegant table, but what you will walk away with will be more confidence as a furniture designer, better hand skills, and more insight into the balance between machines and hand tools in working efficiently and accurately.

About Garrett

Garrett Hack has been a furniture maker, author, and one horse farmer in Thetford Center, Vermont since the late seventies. He specializes in making contemporary interpretations of Federal style furniture with an emphasis on delicate and graceful design, understated surface decorations and a complete dedication to superior joinery and craftsmanship. Internationally known, his work and Federal inspired brick shop have been featured in numerous magazines and books. He is a Contributing Editor for Fine Woodworking Magazine, the author of The Handplane Book (Taunton Press, 1997) and Classic Hand Tools (Taunton Press, 1999). Garrett spends about a third of his time teaching throughout the United States, Canada and England, and is former chairman of the New Hampshire Furniture Masters Association.

Tool List:

I will send a 4 page complete list, with explanations, sources and what to look for. The earlier you sign up the sooner you get the list!

Build a Tall Case or “Grandfather” Clock with Mike Siemsen

Date: Twelve days, October 19th – October 24th, October 26th – October 31st (no classes on Sunday, shop will be open)
Cost: $1400, includes hardware
Materials: $200 plus Movement
Skill Level: Intermediate

Course Description

A tall clock is an imposing piece of furniture. Built at a time when clocks were usually owned by scientists and the wealthy, the cases were typically ornate. Common people told time by the sun, or the town clock, which was free. While they appear to be rather daunting to build the construction can be broken down into manageable units. We will go over the basics of why a clock case is designed the way it is. We will build the case in three sections which can be completely assembled here or left apart to fit in your car or shipping crate. We will cover skills like layout, turning, carcass dovetails, mortise and tenon, making straight moldings, planing, scraping, carving the gooseneck moldings and cutting glass. A clock case is a tour de force of your woodworking skills and will be a family treasure for years to come. You can order movements from www.greenlakeclock.com. You will need to have your dial painted, we can recommend a dial painter to you.

Tools

Carcass saw
sharp chisels
mallet, square
smooth plane
scrapers
sharpening equipment
marking gauges
large gouges (if you have them)
lay out knife
pencil
hammer
block plane
measuring tape
ruler
hearing protection
dust mask
safety glasses

Hepplewhite Side Table with Mike Siemsen

Date: Six Days, November 16th – November 21st
Cost:$650
Materials: $100
Skill Level: All

Course Description

Tools

Smooth plane
block plane
dovetail saw
carcass saw
marking gauge
knife
chisels
mallet for chisels
hammer
card scraper
square
rule
measuring tape
hearing protection
safety glasses
dust mask.