Just thought I'd share my experience last weekend at Roy's school. I was signed up for the class on Dovetails and Mortise and Tenon Joints as a birthday present from my better half (she rocks!). I have never attempted dovetails (read about 'em plenty, just never took the leap) but I have handcut some ugly m&t. I have pretty good skills, but still consider myself a relative novice.
I rolled in around 8:30am. Roy offered doughnuts and coffee. I met some nice folks (Joel, Maurice, James, Jeremiah, Kerry, Bill, and the guy right next to me that I can't remember his name/Sorry). After signing the obligatory waiver that we agreed that woodworking is dangerous and likely to end in bloodshed, the class kicked off at 9am (it was supposed to run to 5pm). We eased into the work by planing some grooves for pieces we'd need later. I have that game - so far so good. First project was through dovetails. About 3 hours later, we all had finished them up. They weren't pretty, but the sawing and chiseling technique work was valuable. I know I can do them now.
Next up, lunch next door at S&T's Soda Fountain/Sandwich shop. Great food, great people, great company, great prices. After lunch, Roy, the Tool Enablerccasion1, graciously gave us a few extra minutes to visit the tool shop above the classroom. Mysteriously my wallet became lighter the longer I stood there but I somehow ended up with a brace and set of bits in my hand. Also while I was there, Amos the blacksmith who makes beautiful holdfasts, delivered a load of chests and tools that needed a weak mind and strong back to get up the stairs. Unfortunately I fit the description. Amos kindly gave me one of those beautiful holdfasts as a thank you. I am the one that should be thanking him....
Time flew in the afternoon as we headed into half blind dovetails and the M&T joints. All of a sudden it's 5pm and we're all still working. Instead of saying thanks and giving us the boot, Roy stuck it out until almost 7pm as we wrapped up. We then cleaned up the remnants of the wood we collectively butchered and headed home.
Roy's classroom set up is great for teaching old school hand work (a hi-def camera pointed at whatever he was demonstrating shown up on the big flat panel TV - handcranking that generator was tiring haha). His easy going demeanor and breadth of knowledge made for an interesting day. A number of passers by stopped in throughout the day and Roy spent time chatting them up as we toiled at our projects. Almost all were non-woodworkers who just wondered what was going on. I was especially impressed at the time Roy took to engage those folks in conversation and share what was happening.
Bottom line: If you are on the fence about taking a class at the Woodwright's School, get off your duff and sign up. You'll have a great time, the instruction is first rate, and the experience is unforgettable. I can't wait for my next time.
Jonathan
I rolled in around 8:30am. Roy offered doughnuts and coffee. I met some nice folks (Joel, Maurice, James, Jeremiah, Kerry, Bill, and the guy right next to me that I can't remember his name/Sorry). After signing the obligatory waiver that we agreed that woodworking is dangerous and likely to end in bloodshed, the class kicked off at 9am (it was supposed to run to 5pm). We eased into the work by planing some grooves for pieces we'd need later. I have that game - so far so good. First project was through dovetails. About 3 hours later, we all had finished them up. They weren't pretty, but the sawing and chiseling technique work was valuable. I know I can do them now.
Next up, lunch next door at S&T's Soda Fountain/Sandwich shop. Great food, great people, great company, great prices. After lunch, Roy, the Tool Enablerccasion1, graciously gave us a few extra minutes to visit the tool shop above the classroom. Mysteriously my wallet became lighter the longer I stood there but I somehow ended up with a brace and set of bits in my hand. Also while I was there, Amos the blacksmith who makes beautiful holdfasts, delivered a load of chests and tools that needed a weak mind and strong back to get up the stairs. Unfortunately I fit the description. Amos kindly gave me one of those beautiful holdfasts as a thank you. I am the one that should be thanking him....
Time flew in the afternoon as we headed into half blind dovetails and the M&T joints. All of a sudden it's 5pm and we're all still working. Instead of saying thanks and giving us the boot, Roy stuck it out until almost 7pm as we wrapped up. We then cleaned up the remnants of the wood we collectively butchered and headed home.
Roy's classroom set up is great for teaching old school hand work (a hi-def camera pointed at whatever he was demonstrating shown up on the big flat panel TV - handcranking that generator was tiring haha). His easy going demeanor and breadth of knowledge made for an interesting day. A number of passers by stopped in throughout the day and Roy spent time chatting them up as we toiled at our projects. Almost all were non-woodworkers who just wondered what was going on. I was especially impressed at the time Roy took to engage those folks in conversation and share what was happening.
Bottom line: If you are on the fence about taking a class at the Woodwright's School, get off your duff and sign up. You'll have a great time, the instruction is first rate, and the experience is unforgettable. I can't wait for my next time.
Jonathan