WoodWorks Woodworking Seminars: W. Springfield, MA

SEMINAR DESCRIPTIONS

Mastering Your Table Saw
Frank Klausz

The Art of Turning Air
Lynne Yamaguchi

Assembling Panels and Tabletops
Garrett Hack
Again and again as woodworkers we glue together boards to make wide tabletops, case sides, and panels. They are more stable and often less costly than a single wide board (assuming you can find one), and in the case of flashy grain patterns such as quarter sawn, the only way to make wide panels. The challenge then becomes how to make a panel with pleasing aesthetics and excellent joints between the boards. I'll explain jointing edges with a plane, what hollow joints are all about, gluing and clamping technique, and how to flatten the panel now probably too wide for your planer.

Perfect Finishes in Three Phases
Bill Bush

Turbo Charge Your Router
Andy Rae
Ever wonder what your router would be like on steroids? Here’s your chance to unleash its potential, from routing “smart” and choosing useful and unique router bits to buying and building the right router accessories and jigs, including clever devices you can make in the shop. Properly equipped, your new, “souped-up” power tool will shape curves and flatten surfaces; smooth difficult woods without tearout; produce dead-accurate mortises, dovetails and other joints; cut intricate inlay patterns on the fly; rout precisely identical parts; mill custom-sized dowels from the wood of your choice; and so much more. Find out how to make your router one of the handiest tools in the shop.

Adding Curves to Your Work
Garrett Hack
As your style evolves you’ll likely move from the straight and square to using curved elements in your work, some of which are a lot easier to make and use. How do you design pleasing curves, loft them full size, make patterns, and then go about making them? Discussed will be three common methods and their advantages and disadvantages: steam bending, laminating and cutting parts out of solid stock. Garrett shows some tricks for the next step – working with those curved parts and joining them together.

Crazy Sharp
Andy Rae
Sharp edge tools are key to good cuts. But what is “sharp,” and how do you get there? Furnituremaker Andy Rae demonstrates hands-on sharpening, discussing the tools, the supplies, and the correct sequence of steps that let even beginners master this fundamental woodworking technique. See what a truly sharp edge looks like, and why it lasts longer between re-sharpenings. Discover what sharpening gear you need (and what you don’t) and how to prepare and hone your chisels and plane irons with edges so keen they’ll slice wood like the finest of Samurai swords—only without the bloodshed. Crazy.

Getting the Most From Your Shaper
Steve Latta

Prepping and Finishing Your Work
Bill Bush

Box Basics
Lynne Yamaguchi

Inlay Techniques
Garrett Hack
Over three millennia ago Egyptian craftsmen were decorating their work with inlays of small intricate patterns of contrasting woods and ceramic. Inlaying bandings, fine string lines, or larger solid wood (or bone or silver) pieces into your furniture can be a delightful and playful way to enhance and add value to it. The basic inlay technique is to cut a groove or recess, make the inlay and size it to fit. Garrett demonstrates some basic inlays, makes some of the useful tools for this work (and lots more besides), and discusses ways to use these decorative details in your designs.

Advanced Table Saw Techniques
Steve Latta
The table saw is one of the most underutilized tools in the shop because operators aren’t aware of its capabilities. Consequently, the purpose of this seminar is to increase your understanding of this versatile tool by introducing a variety of advanced techniques. Steve focuses in on the not-so-common techniques of pattern sawing, straight and tapered mitering, milling multiple parts, and dovetailing. Interwoven throughout the class, Steve discusses clean milling practices, referencing, controlling tear-out and dust management.

Effective Sharpening
Garrett Hack
Sharpening technique is key to getting the best results from your edge tools, effortlessly and accurately. Garrett demystifies sharpening methods and systems as he discusses the different sharpening systems available, advantages and disadvantages of each and how to get the most from whatever method you choose. He shares his expertise to achieve a consistent high polish on both the beveled side of the edge, and the back and his best new trick, using diamond paste, for stropping polished edges on even the toughest new steel alloys.

Milling Four-Square
Andy Rae
Many woodworkers think the jointer is for edgework only, and that wood from the mill can go straight through the planer before turning it into furniture parts. Not so—assuming you like square cabinets, flat tables, and chairs that don’t tip. Find out how to turn wavy boards into precision planks as Andy demonstrates the four-square process: Jointing, planing, and eventually ripping and crosscutting boards so they’re perfectly straight and flat, with four edges square to each other—ready for fine furniture.

HANDS-ON WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS Make Your Own Bandsaw Box Geoffrey Noden Get your hands on the bandsaw under Geoffrey's watchful eye. He'll walk you through the procedure for quickly cutting and finishing a lidded bandsaw box, and you'll not only keep the finished box, but also the knowledge of how to make it safely. You'll see several variations on the design to spark your creativity in making your own boxes, and you'll probably pick up a few pointers on general bandsaw techniques as well. Class size is limited. Early registration is encouraged to ensure your spot. Sharpen Everything Fred Matlack Sharp tools result in better woodworking projects and in this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to sharpen everything in your house. Fred wastes no time getting you on a variety of stones: Japanese, diamond, India and Arkansas, where you will feel new edges come to life. Soon after it is onto sharpening machines; test-drive some of the most sophisticated sharpening systems being made, along with grinders and flat disc models. Students are encouraged to bring their dullest tools, Fred guarantees you’ll go home with polished edges and a smile. Class size is limited. Early registration is encouraged to ensure your spot. Learning to Turn Harry Memelink This hands-on workshop gets you safely on a lathe and with a dash of Kiwi humor. No time is wasted as Harry shows you how to use turning tools like gouges and parting tools safely, how to rough out a blank, adjust the turning speed and then how to turn a simple project, a honey dipper. He covers a wide range of practical information that gives you the ability to cut grooves, sand & finish, separate the ends and you'll go home with new skills and a brand new honey dipper. Class size is limited. Early registration is encouraged to ensure your spot. Making Decorative Details Garrett Hack Working with simple tools made by you in this workshop, you will cut a variety of alluring and unique details: side beads along a table apron, raised beads known as cockbeads used to highlight the edge of a drawer, and fine inlay lines known as strings. The tools are called scratchstocks, essentially pieces of tool steel filed to shape and held in a wooden fence. You'll also explore other edge details like: chamfers and bevels, along with some surfaces off a plane that are so polished they glisten. Class size is limited. Early registration is encouraged to ensure your spot. The WoodWorks Seminar Guarantee If you aren't completely satisfied within the first 15 minutes of your seminar or hands-on workshop, just leave the classroom and go directly to the show office for a full refund. We're that confident in our presenters! Class sizes are limited. Show passes are non-refundable. Seminar and workshop cancellations are subject to a $10 processing fee. 100% refund if cancelled by WoodWorks / 3 Links Productions.
home · show locations · buy tickets · discounts · presenters · store educational programs · links · sign our guestbook · contact us · join our mailing list