Classes

We have a great line up of classes for 2010! Not only will you get to work with Mike but also some fantastic visiting instructors like Glen Huey and Roland Johnson. With a maximum of 8 students in a class you will get plenty of one on one time with your instructors. Classes are held in my shop on a quiet rural setting 35 miles north of the Twin Cities. We want our classes to be fun and relaxing as well as educational. Snacks and beverages will be on hand throughout the day and a healthy lunch will be provided. The shop is air conditioned. For the sake of other students please turn off your cell phone during class, you can check messages on breaks and at lunch. You will be expected to sign a liability waiver before you can work in the shop.

2010 class schedule — More details and classes to come!

Make a Windsor Chair with Mike Siemsen

Date:Three Weekends, January 9th – 10th, January 16th – January 17th, January 23rd – January 24th
Cost: $680 ($580 to Minnesota Woodworkers Guild members)
Materials: Included,
Skill Level: All

Course Description

Make a Bow Back Windsor Chair from start to finish with hand tools. Depending upon your turning abilities you will build a bamboo leg, or a tapered leg, Bow Back Windsor Chair. Riving, steam bending, shaving, sawing, boring and turning are some of the techniques we will use to create this traditional chair. Two instructors will keep you moving through the many steps to complete your chair.

Tools

You do not need to buy any tools for this class. If you have your own chair making tools bring them along.

Tools you could bring include
Drawknife
Spokeshave
Small Froe
Brace and Bits
Bevel
Travisher
Scorp
Protractor
Small hammer

A more comprehensive list will be sent when you sign up

Sharpening and Using Handsaws with Mike Siemsen

Date: Saturday, February 6th, 8:30 – 4:30
Cost: $135
Materials: included
Skill Level: All

Course Description

Mike will demonstrate how to bring an old saw back to life. We will go over what to look for in a handsaw and how to sharpen a saw. Mike will demonstrate the mechanics of sawing and how to cut square and straight. We will then use our sharp saws and new skills to make a small bench.

Tools

Bring an 8 point cross cut saw that needs to be sharpened and a saw vice if you have one. If you don't have a saw you want to practice on Mike has some practice saws.

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Three Side Tables, with Mike Siemsen

Date: 6 days, March 1st -March 6th, 8:30 to 4:30
Cost: $650
Materials: $100
Skill Level: All/intermediate

Course Description

Build a small side table in one of 3 styles, Federal, Arts and Crafts, or Shaker. Learn what variations change the basic form into a specific style. You will hand plane all of your surfaces ,hand dovetail a drawer, and cut mortises and tenons. We will also cover inlaid stringing.

Tools

Smooth plane
block plane
dovetail saw
marking gauge
knife
chisels
mallet for chisels
hammer
card scraper
square
rule
measuring tape
hearing protection
safety glasses
dust mask

Three Side Tables, with Mike Siemsen

Date: 3 weekends, March 13 – 14, March 20 – 21, March 27 –28, 8:30 to 4:30
Cost: $650
Materials: $100
Skill Level: All/intermediate

Course Description

Tools

Smooth plane
block plane
dovetail saw
marking gauge
knife
chisels
mallet for chisels
hammer
card scraper
square
rule
measuring tape
hearing protection
safety glasses
dust mask

Dovetailed Blanket Chest, with Mike Siemsen

Date: 6 days, April 5th – April 10th, 8:30 to 4:30
Cost: $700, Includes forged hinges
Materials: $150
Skill Level: Intermediate/all

Course Description

You will know how to cut dovetails when you leave this class! We will construct a scaled down version of a Pennsylvania Blanket Chest with half blind dovetails on the back corners and through dovetails on the front corners and on the straight bracket feet. Practice layout and cutting of dovetails, hand planing, tool sharpening and routing moldings. Completed chest will measure approximately 20×20×36 inches.

Tools

Dovetail and/or carcass saw
chisels
mallet for chisels
smoothing plane
block plane
marking gauge
hammer
card scraper
marking knife
square, rule
measuring tape
hearing protection
safety glasses
dust mask.

Hand Saw Sharpening with Dean Jansa

Date: April 18th 12:30 to 4:00
Cost: $25, includes a file
Materials- Bring a handsaw 5 to 10 PPI and a saw vise (you can always make a wooden one)
skill level: intro to intermediate

Course Description

Dean Jansa demonstrate saw filing and you will file your own saw. If you don't have a “practice” saw I have some that you can use. We are limiting this to 12 people. RSVP for the saw filing please so we know how many files of which sizes we need to get.

Holtzapfel Style Workbench, with Mike Siemsen

Date: 6 days, April 19th – April 24th, 8:30 to 4:30
Cost: $650
Materials: Approximately $250 in Materials
Skill Level: Intermediate/all

Course Description

The work bench is the main work holding device in a wood shop. We will build a good, solid, simple, functional work bench for your shop that disassembles easily for moving. Mike's 16” jointer and 24” planer will help make quick work out of flattening the 2 ½ to 3” thick tops. We will also cover some workbench appliances like the bench hook and sliding deadman. To simplify things Mike will order in enough lumber for all of the benches so they will be the same. The hardwood lumber used will be purchased to get the best price, and provided at cost plus machining fees. Let Mike know how long of a bench you wish to build. If you want to bring your own lumber contact Mike for specifics. Mike has 5 vises rescued from a High School that he will sell on a first come basis to those in the class for $65.

Tools

chisels
mallet for chisels
smoothing plane
jointer plane if you have one
block plane
marking gauge
hammer
card scraper
marking knife
square, rule
measuring tape
hearing protection
safety glasses
dust mask.

Demi-Lune Table, with Mike Siemsen

Date: 3 weekends, May 1 –2, May 8 – 9, May 15 – 16, 8:30 to 4:30
Cost: $650
Materials: $130
Skill Level: Intermediate/all

Course Description

We will be building a small Demi-Lune table with a bent laminated apron. We will discuss design elements and learn joinery and inlay techniques.

Tools

Dovetail and/or carcass saw
chisels
mallet for chisels
smoothing plane
block plane
marking gauge
hammer
card scraper
marking knife
square, rule
measuring tape
hearing protection
safety glasses
dust mask.

Chippendale Chest with Glen Huey

Date: 6 days, May 24th – May 29th, 8:30 to 4:30
Cost: $860
Materials: $450 in Cherry
Skill Level: Intermediate/all

Course Description

Build a beautiful 4 drawer Chippendale chest with master furniture-maker Glen Huey. Using traditional joinery and modern methods we will dovetail the case, drawers and drawer dividers and cut mortise and tenons. Each student will receive one of Glen's CDs from ”The Woodworkers Edge”, Chippendale Small Chest, to watch before the class starts. The CD contains the cut list and a tutorial on how to build the chest. This will enable everyone to be better prepared when the class starts. You will also have the CD to refer to after the class ends if you want to review something. If you wish to use your own materials they need to be taken down to thickness and rough cut to size. This will enable the class to get into the actual construction sooner rather than preparing materials.

Glen Huey has been involved in woodworking for 36 years.. His first major piece of fine furniture was a Sheraton Bed, built at the age of 14 with his father's help, which he still has to this day. After a decade as a contributing editor with Popular Woodworking magazine, he joined the staff full time in 2007. Today he is a senior editor with both Popular Woodworking and Woodworking magazines and the author of a number of furniture books, including Fine Furniture for a Lifetime, Building Fine Furniture, and The Illustrated Guide to Building Period Furniture. He is the owner and host of “Woodworker's Edge,” a multimedia DVD series. In addition, he enjoys teaching woodworking and has conducted seminars for a number of woodworking groups and enthusiasts. His focus is primarily 18th- and early 19th-century furniture because that is the era and style that he enjoys the most. He feels this is the time period in furniture history when the best designs were built. Glen is a self described “power tool woodworker” so you will be gaining experience on the machines as well as using hand-tools.

Tools

Demi-Lune Table, with Mike Siemsen

Date: 6 days , June 7th – June 12th, 8:30 to 4:30
Cost: $650
Materials: $130
Skill Level: Intermediate/all

Course Description

We will be building a small Demi-Lune table with a bent laminated apron. We will discuss design elements and learn joinery and inlay techniques.

Tools

Dovetail and/or carcass saw
chisels
mallet for chisels
smoothing plane
block plane
marking gauge
hammer
card scraper
marking knife
square, rule
measuring tape
hearing protection
safety glasses
dust mask.

Harvey Ellis #802 Server, with Mike Siemsen

Date: 6 days, June 21st – June26th, 8:30 to 4:30
Cost: $650
Materials:
Skill Level: Intermediate/all

Course Description

We will build the handsome Harvey Ellis server made by Gustav Stickley. We will use Quartersawn Oak to achieve that distinctive Arts and Crafts/Mission style look. You will practice mortise and tenon construction, hand cut dovetails, and handplaning

Tools

Dovetail and/or carcass saw
chisels
mallet for chisels
smoothing plane
block plane
marking gauge
hammer
card scraper
marking knife
square, rule
measuring tape
hearing protection
safety glasses
dust mask

Harvey Ellis #802 Server, with Mike Siemsen

Date: 3 weekends, July 10 – 11, July 17 – 18, July 24 – 25, 8:30 to 4:30
Cost: $650
Materials:
Skill Level: Intermediate/all

Course Description

Tools

Dovetail and/or carcass saw
chisels
mallet for chisels
smoothing plane
block plane
marking gauge
hammer
card scraper
marking knife
square, rule
measuring tape
hearing protection
safety glasses
dust mask.

Dovetailed Blanket Chest, with Mike Siemsen

Date: 3 Weekends, July 31st – August 1, August 7 – 8, August 14 –15, 8:30 to 4:30
Cost: $700, Includes forged hinges
Materials: $150
Skill Level: Intermediate/all

Course Description

Tools

Dovetail and/or carcass saw
chisels
mallet for chisels
smoothing plane
block plane
marking gauge
hammer
card scraper
marking knife
square, rule
measuring tape
hearing protection
safety glasses
dust mask.

Finishing Furniture with Roland Johnson

Date: 5 days, August 16th – August 20th, 8:30 to 4:30
Cost: $860
Materials: Included
Skill Level: All

Course Description

Making furniture is challenging enough, then you have to put on a good looking finish. Learn how to make choosing and applying finishes another enjoyable process instead of a stress-filled ordeal. From surface prep and colors to topcoats and final waxing, we will cover all aspects of creating a fine furniture finish. The class will explore the use of dyes, stains and paints, learning how to get precise, repeatable color and grain shading. We will also get creative with glazes, stain brushing and multi-color stain layering to bring art to our finishes.. The top coat decision can be as important as the species of wood used. Learn how to select and use solvent based and water based finishes to achieve the desired protection and finish sheen. Sample panels will be produced using wiping, padding, brushing and spraying techniques. Painted furniture has been popular for centuries. Beautiful, subdued colors can be achieved with milk paint while modern acrylics and enamels can brightly highlight creative furniture. Finishing is chemistry plus alchemy. Learn how to achieve flawless finishes with a master finisher.

ROLAND JOHNSON first became interested in wood when he was in high school and worked at a lumberyard. As Roland grew, so did his interest, and in 1976 he started refinishing furniture, building furniture, and repairing and building all kinds of other stuff. Nearly 30 years ago, Roland planted hundreds of trees in an old gravel pit, turning it into a wooded retreat where he has built his home and shop. Contributing editor for Fine Woodworking since 2002, Roland is a frequent writer of tool-test articles for the magazine. His fascination with motors and gears goes beyond woodworking, however — he's also an enthusiastic hot-rodder who likes to restore old cars, and is the author of Automotive Woodworking (Motor Books International, 2002). Roland is also the founder and president of the Central Minnesota Woodworkers Association. Today, he divides his time between writing, building stuff for himself and his clients, and keeping his 40-acre homestead in Minnesota humming. If you don't find him in the woodshop, try the garage.

Tools

Windsor Stool with Jim Van Hoven and Mike Siemsen

Date: August 21st (you must turn your parts beforehand)
Cost: $90 for Minnesota Woodturners Association Members
Materials: $35

Course description

Build a 19" Windsor style shop ( utility ) stool. This is a great project for turners to exercise both spindle and faceplate skills. Each student will be furnished a full size drawing that will enable you to turn the seat, four legs, and three stretchers beforehand and at your convenience. The drawings will allow the turner to make the necessary story sticks to note the highlights of the piece and do the repetitive work. In the one day class we will teach you how to assemble your parts using the traditional tools and skills of the early Windsor chairmaker. You will want to sign up well in advance of the class so you can have all of your parts turned and ready for assembly on August 21st.

Sharpening Chisels, Plane Irons and Scrapers with Mike Siemsen

Date: Saturday, August 28th, Morning 8 – 12
Cost: $65
Materials:
Skill Level:

Course Description

Getting your tools sharp is possibly the most important skill a woodworker can learn. Sharpening should be a quick and easy task. Mike will show you what it takes to obtain and maintain a good sharp edge. We will discuss various sharpening systems as well as different bevel angles and why they are used. You will also get ideas for setting up a sharpening station in your shop. Our goal is to achieve the 5 minute edge, the time it takes to remove and sharpen a plane iron, replace it, and get back to work.

Tools

Bring your dull planes and chisels and your sharpening stones.

Note

If you sign up for both sections on Saturday lunch is included (sandwiches and beverage) Those who sign up for both days of plane classes will receive enrollment preference over those who only take one or two sections.

Tuning Hand Planes, with Mike Siemsen

Date: Saturday Afternoon, August, 28th 1 – 5 (see note above)
Cost: $65
Materials: none
Skill Level: All

Course Description

In this course you will learn what it takes to make a plane work properly, whether you are flattening a board and removing lots of material, jointing an edge, or smoothing for a finished surface. We will discuss when an iron needs camber and when an iron should be straight, and the nuances in between. Please have the rust and gunk cleaned off of your planes before you come, all screws should be loose(not seized with rust) and all adjustments should function. You will learn what to look for in a plane, and what to avoid and how to correct deficiencies in your planes.

Tools

Bring your planes and sharpening stones

Using Hand Planes, with Mike Siemsen

Date: Sunday, August, 29th, 10 – 5,
Cost: $125
Materials: Includes materials and lunch (sandwiches and beverage)
Skill Level: All

Course Description

We will put our properly sharpened and tuned planes to work to flatten boards, make glue joints and trim end grain. Mike will demonstrate work holding techniques to make your planing simple and accurate. We will try out specialty planes for cutting grooves and dados and make some sash.

Tools

Bring your planes and sharpening stones.

Note

Those who sign up for both Saturday and Sunday plane classes will receive enrollment preference over those who only take one or two sections.

Tall Case or “Grandfather” Clock, with Mike Siemsen

Date: 12 days, September 13th – September 25th
Cost:
Materials:
Skill Level: intermediate/advanced

Course Description

A tall clock is an imposing piece of furniture. Built at a time when clocks were usually owned by scientists and the wealthy, the cases could be somewhat ornate. Common people told time by the sun, or the town clock, which was free. While they appear to be rather daunting to build the construction can be broken down into manageable units. We will go over the basics of why a clock case is designed the way it is. We will build the case in three sections which can be completely assembled here or left apart to fit in your car or shipping crate. We will cover skills like layout, turning, carcass dovetails, mortise and tenon, making straight moldings, planing, scraping, carving the gooseneck moldings and cutting glass. A clock case is a tour de force of your woodworking skills and will be a family treasure for years to come. You can order movements from www.greenlakeclock.com. You will need to have your dial painted, we can recommend a dial painter to you.

Tools

Make a Windsor Chair with Mike Siemsen and Jim Van Hoven

Date: October 11th – 16th
Cost: $680
Materials: Included,
Skill Level: All

Course Description

Tools

You do not need to buy any tools for this class. If you have your own chair making tools bring them along.

Tools you could bring include
Drawknife
Spokeshave
Small Froe
Brace and Bits
Bevel
Travisher
Scorp
Protractor
Small hammer