Foundations - 1

Course Syllabus
Foundations for Fine Woodworking is designed to teach and prepare students with the techniques and skills required to build fine furniture.  Foundations I - focuses on wood and wood movement, safe use and tuning of necessary hand and power tools, milling wood four-square and sharpening. 

Description:  Registrants will be instructed through lecture, demonstrations, and hands on experiences in the following areas and/or topics:

A. Wood, Wood Products and Milling

1.    Review types of wood, structure, how it is measured, how to buy, how it is cut and graded

2.    The importance of understanding wood movement. Milling wood; the steps involved, machines and hand tools used

3.    Proper/safe use and tuning of the jointer, planer, bandsaw and tablesaw

4.    LAB:  Milling a piece of rough lumber four-square

B. Hand Tools in the Workshop

1.    Demonstrate and discuss hand tools used in the work shop and how to properly tune them for maximum efficiency

2.    Marking and measuring tools including; lead holder, tape measure, marking knife, knife marking gauge, combination gauge, sliding T-bevel, and squares

3.    Cutting tools including; hand planes, chisels, scrapers, spokeshaves, and rabbet/shoulder planes

4.    Saws:  types of saws, and uses

5.    LAB:  hand tools and practice proper use

C. Sharpening Techniques

1.    Principles of sharpening including flattening techniques, proper use of stones and grinders and important safety measures

2.    How to sharpen flat backed cutting tools including chisels, planes, spokeshaves, scrapers, etc.

3.    LAB:  practice sharpening flat backed cutting tools


Instructional Level:  Beginner to intermediate


What to bring: eye protection, hearing protection, flat backed cutting tools including chisels, plane iron, spokeshave, scraper, handtools as listed above.  There will be a complete list of tools and equipment to bring to the class upon registration.  


Homework:  Homework will be assigned to include practicing learned techniques, and reading assignments.
Length of Course:  2 days (16 hours)

Course Fee:  $250.00 plus a $25.00 materials fee

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