SketchUp is an affordable powerful three-dimensional modeling program; the ideal tool for woodworkers to plan any project. Time in the shop is more enjoyable with a good plan in place, and with SketchUp the typical woodworker has a versatile design and engineering tool capable of quick and accurate planning and problem-solving for furniture or other woodworking projects.

Starting with an overview on how to determine the forces and loads a traditional timber frame structure (or really any structure) will see over the course of its lifetime, the course focus will transition into sizing of beams, as well as a primer on basic joinery and connection design. In order to break up the class room portion, we will design a basic timber frame joint, calculate its allowable design strength, and then fabricate it out of timber. After the joints are fabricated, we will “bust” them by pulling them apart using a hydraulic load frame, with friendly bragging rights awarded for the best prediction of strength and best capacity.

This course focuses on timber frames. Students will learn about material science of wood, what makes a timber frame appealing, and why timber frames are more environmentally friendly, sustainable, and energy-efficient than traditional stick frame structures.

Join us at the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute to make a unique band saw box. Class is intended for those with limited to moderate woodworking skills. We will design a box or students may choose a template provided in class.

An Exciting Journey into the World of Wood Carving

In every piece of wood lies a story waiting to be revealed. Begin with a vision, embracing the depth of 3D imagination. Navigate the intricacies of the grain, wielding tools that are both sharp in edge and purpose. In the dance of carving, it is the blend of age-old design and modern mastery that crafts true brilliance

Proper drying is the key to turning freshly milled urban wood into high-value, marketable lumber. This comprehensive workshop equips participants with the knowledge and resources to understand what is happening to their wood as it dries. Participants will understand how to control the processes and the strategies and tools available to improve their drying operation.

Have you ever wanted to build a door, a barn door for your family room, a whimsical door for a garden shed, maybe a craftsman style screen door? While a door can give an entrance a magical charm there is no magic in building one.

Step into the world of studio furniture by drawing inspiration from the works of Wharton Esherick, an iconic American artist renowned for his avant-garde designs and organic forms. Over this 5-day course, students will be guided on a journey to craft a Wharton Esherick Inspired Music Stand.

The mid-century modern era was an exciting time for design. The combination of the craft revival movement with playful new organic shapes from danish and American designers alike birthed some of the most iconic pieces of furniture that became the new heirlooms of tomorrow. In this course, we will explore mid-century design as students build their own lounge chair complete with upholstered cushions.

The Basic Carpentry class will be hands on learning. The students will actively learn safe and proper use of carpentry tools, floor framing, wall framing, rafter layout and stair construction. The week long class will be centered around the construction of a whimsical garden house.

This class is meant for furniture makers - people that know how to do casework, and want to make more elegant pieces. The day 1 focus is on creating a four-way match panel with fillets and crossbanding, typical of Federal furniture. After glue up, day 2 is spent making a Federal fan, and inlaying that into the panel from day 1. It is not difficult, but assumes a basic background in wooden furniture.

Building your own kitchen cabinets can be a cost-effective way to get custom cabinets at bargain prices. Plus it is an extremely fun and rewarding pursuit. In this 5-day course, we will teach you how to build kitchen cabinets with a few tools. No need for expensive equipment.

In this class, the students will learn to work with veneer and use it to create artful panels.

Join Luke Barnett for a 2 session class on wooden spoon carving. Tools and wood will be provided by the instructor. Students are welcome to bring their own tools. This is a perfect intro class for sculptural and green woodworking.

The mid-century modern era was an exciting time for design. The combination of the craft revival movement with playful new organic shapes from danish and American designers alike birthed some of the most iconic pieces of furniture that became the new heirlooms of tomorrow. In this course, we will explore mid-century design as students build their own lounge chair complete with upholstered cushions.

Stop making compromises with your router. Use the most abundant moulding planes of the past to get the exact details you are after now. Learn how to use hollows and rounds! Hollows and rounds do not make specific profiles. They make specific arcs. Transform these few arcs into scores of varying profiles with a set strategy acquired in this class. Learn how to use hollow and round planes with Matthew Sheldon Bickford.

Explore the world of woodturning. Students will learn the basics of spindle turning and bowl turning in a fun and informative weekend.

Students will learn all about CNC systems. In the first session, participants will learn how to use design software. We will design a 12" x 20" sign with whatever logos or phrasing they decide. After designing, students will learn how to create tool paths for the machine and how to export the new design to the CNC

This is an in depth 5 day class in which you will learn the basics in Windsor chair making. Woodturning is at the heart of this chair and you will have the opportunity to become proficient on the lathe by turning all the parts for your chair.

This 5-day course is your chance to build your very own guitar with instructor Jeff Davis. Students will make a OOO body style acoustic guitar. Solid Indian Rosewood back & sides, Spruce top, Dovetail neck, 24.9" scale, White endpiece & heel cap, 28 Style top & back inlay.

Build a Modern Windsor Rocking Chair with Chair maker Luke A. Barnett. Students will join us for a 7-day class. We will start with logs on Monday morning and finish with a rocking chair on Sunday.

Designing and building custom curved staircases offers a unique set of challenges in drafting, woodworking, and the application of trigonometry. In this class, students will focus on one of the most beautiful parts of a curved staircase, the climbing volute and pedestal. The methods learned by this class are among the rarest known in the building trades today.

Join professional woodcarver, Mary May, in learning the techniques of woodcarving for furniture makers. She will begin by sharing the very basics of carving by tackling grain challenges, how to sharpen carving tools, methods of thinking through an entire carving project, and many tips and tricks along the way.

In this intensive 5 day Windsor chair class we will build Curtis Buchanan’s democratic side chair. This class requires a lot of physical labor so please come prepared to put in some good 8 hr days building this amazing chair!

Create an end-grain butcher block using the table saw, planer, jointer, and a drum sander to craft your own butcher block.

This class is geared toward women and non-binary students who have beginner woodworking skills and want to learn more advanced techniques, but students new to the woodshop are also welcome to join! Students will learn the skill of hand cut dovetails while using layout tools, chisels and handsaws. At the end of the class, you will take home a Shaker-style step stool that is practical yet beautiful enough to leave out on display.

Over 5 days, you will use a combination of machines and hand tools to build an elegant wall cabinet that will quickly warm up your home. Dovetails and through wedged tenons will be the main focal point on the cabinet. We will also fit dividers in some stopped grooves and learn the artistry of drawer making.

Immerse yourself in the world of studio furniture, drawing from the innovative designs of Wharton Esherick, a pioneering figure in the American studio furniture movement. This 5-day course offers students a unique opportunity to craft two distinct Wharton Esherick inspired stools, showcasing the blend of artistic form and functionality.

Explore the world of woodturning. Students will learn the basics of spindle turning and bowl turning in a fun and informative weekend.

Build a Modern Windsor Rocking Chair with Chair maker Luke A. Barnett. Students will join us for a 7-day class. We will start with logs on Monday morning and finish with a rocking chair on Sunday.

The mid-century modern era was an exciting time for design. The combination of the craft revival movement with playful new organic shapes from danish and American designers alike birthed some of the most iconic pieces of furniture that became the new heirlooms of tomorrow. In this course, we will explore mid-century design as students build their own lounge chair complete with upholstered cushions.

Students will make full-size dining room tables. Each table will be made to fit your home. Take home a complete table with a cherry wood top and your choice of pine wood legs.

In this class, the students will learn to work with veneer and use it to create artful panels.

Build a Windsor Make a Comb-Back Rocker with Chairmaker Jeff Wyatt. Students will join us for a 5-day class. We will start with logs on Monday morning and finish with a Comb-Back Rocking Chair late Friday afternoon.

This class is meant for furniture makers - people that know how to do casework, and want to make more elegant pieces. The day 1 focus is on creating a four-way match panel with fillets and crossbanding, typical of Federal furniture. After glue up, day 2 is spent making a Federal fan, and inlaying that into the panel from day 1. It is not difficult, but assumes a basic background in wooden furniture.

Create an end-grain butcher block using the table saw, planer, jointer, and a drum sander to craft your own butcher block.

We will learn a variety of joints, their strengths and weaknesses and how to implement them into furniture making and design. We will first construct a simple box to store all of our new sample joints then get right into the art and technique of wood joinery. This will be a combination of hand tool and machine joinery techniques.

Join us at the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute to make a unique band saw box. Class is intended for those with limited to moderate woodworking skills. We will design a box or students may choose a template provided in class.

Explore the world of woodturning. Students will learn the basics of spindle turning and bowl turning in a fun and informative weekend.

Students will learn all about CNC systems. In the first session, participants will learn how to use design software. We will design a 12" x 20" sign with whatever logos or phrasing they decide. After designing, students will learn how to create tool paths for the machine and how to export the new design to the CNC

Build a Windsor Continuous Arm Chair with Chair maker Luke A. Barnett. Students will join us for a 7-day class. We will start with logs on Monday morning and finish with a continuous armchair on Saturday. Students who have not completed their chair or are making a rocking chair will return Sunday.

This course focuses on timber frames. Students will learn about material science of wood, what makes a timber frame appealing, and why timber frames are more environmentally friendly, sustainable, and energy-efficient than traditional stick frame structures.

Build a Windsor Balloon Back or Fan Back Side Chair with Chairmaker Luke A. Barnett. Students will join us for a 5-day class. Students can choose to build either a balloon back or a fan back side chair.

Explore the world of instrument making with professional luthier Gary Zimnicki of Zimnicki Guitars.

The Spiral Staircase Workshop is an immersive workshop tailored for architects, designers, and woodworking enthusiasts seeking to deepen their understanding of curved staircase design, stereotomy principles, and practical construction techniques. This workshop combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience, providing participants with the necessary tools and skills to confidently design, layout, and construct various types of curved staircases.

Students will make full-size dining room tables. Each table will be made to fit your home. Take home a complete table with a cherry wood top and your choice of pine wood legs.

SketchUp is an affordable powerful three-dimensional modeling program; the ideal tool for woodworkers to plan any project. Time in the shop is more enjoyable with a good plan in place, and with SketchUp the typical woodworker has a versatile design and engineering tool capable of quick and accurate planning and problem-solving for furniture or other woodworking projects.

Join us at the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute to make a unique band saw box. Class is intended for those with limited to moderate woodworking skills. We will design a box or students may choose a template provided in class.

Explore the world of woodturning. Students will learn the basics of spindle turning and bowl turning in a fun and informative weekend.

Students will learn all about CNC systems. In the first session, participants will learn how to use design software. We will design a 12" x 20" sign with whatever logos or phrasing they decide. After designing, students will learn how to create tool paths for the machine and how to export the new design to the CNC

Join us at the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute to make a unique band saw box. Class is intended for those with limited to moderate woodworking skills. We will design a box or students may choose a template provided in class.

Build a Windsor Continuous Arm Chair with Chair maker Luke A. Barnett. Students will join us for a 7-day class. We will start with logs on Monday morning and finish with a continuous armchair on Saturday. Students who have not completed their chair or are making a rocking chair will return Sunday.