ASWR3

Keeping the edge with Michael Van Pelt Private woodworking lessons:

Workbench woodworking lessons: $1495.00*

From Monday, March 30 2009
To Saturday, April 04 2009
Every day

From Monday, September 07 2009 - 8:00am
To Saturday, September 12 2009 - 5:00pm
Every day

We are very proud of the workbench that is built here at The SSFW's Workbench Sycamores! Our philosophy is that the workbench is the nucleus of the workshop and the most dusted and maintained piece of furniture a woodworker will probably ever build.The immense workbench has become a favorite and a tradition at The Sycamores. Our woodworkers appreciate the hardware and hefty trestle support for the base and the addition of Black Walnut insets to accent the beautiful maple.

In the construction of these steadfast workbenches we use the finest hard maple, quality vise screws, and custom made guide rods and bushings to produce the best-built workbench available anywhere at any price.

During this six-day class, students will "earn" their workbench by working hard and supplying the physical labor needed to build such a large and heavy project. The Sycamores alumnus and Engineer, Wes Scott has designed and fabricated the templates and jigs that facilitate the process, and insure the high level of precision required for the building of this bench. Students leave this class with a strong feeling of accomplishment and a heavy-duty workbench that is destined to become a family heirloom! This bench design is from American Furniture Design.

The cost of class includes tuition, shop space, all wood materials and perishables. Also included in your class cost is breakfast, lunch and snacks.

Sculpted Rocker with John

From Monday, April 27 2009
To Wednesday, May 06 2009
Every day

Sculpted Rocker with John Garrison woodworking lessons: $1700.00*

Those who have admired the Maloof style in rockers will be astonished with this sculpted rocker! We are is very proud to have an instructor of John's caliber and we are delighted that John is willing to share his fine woodworking skills with our students!

Under John's direction students will use forms and jigs for bent lamination, glue up and shape the rocker seat, sculpt and shape all details shape the back spindles and arms of chair for comfort, and apply the rockers to the chair. The tools used in this class include the band saw, rasp, grinder, gouges, chisels, and the router. The class runs for two weeks to assure that students will return home with a completed rocker where they can give it a final sanding and the glowing finish it deserves. How accomplished you will feel as you place your rocker in a prominent place in your home to showcase your skills to all!

Bowed Arm Morris Chair

From Monday, August 10 2009
To Friday, August 14 2009
Every day

Bow Arm Morris Chair woodworking lessons: $995.00*

with John Garrison & Mike Van Pelt

Bowed arm Morris Chair We are proud to offer this opportunity for our students to build their very own Stickley influenced Morris chair. Gustav Stickley's simple but functional Craftsman line of home furnishing, often known as Mission furniture, was considered revolutionary in its time. Today, these hard to find classic pieces command high prices as valuable antiques and even Mission reproductions command thousands of dollars. The simple bow of the chair's broad arm makes it inviting to sit back and recline in comfort. In this class, the chair will be constructed of beautiful quarter sawn white oak. This award winning chair is from American Furniture Design, designed by Brian Murphy. Students will steam bend their chair arms!

You will learn the traditional mortise and tenon joinery, and students will become familiar with the fundamentals of chair building in this weeklong workshop. The finished size of the chair is 40" high by 36" wide and 42" deep. The upholstery will be reviewed, but not done in the class.

For a complete listing and detailed class information log on to www.americansycamoreretreat.com

To download the ASWR class schedule in a PDF form you will need Adobe