Handtool Joinery Techniques and Tune-up with Will Neptune

mathiesen_smoothing_plane_thumbHand tools are often the best way to achieve the final perfect fit in joinery.  Accurate layout and skill with chisels, planes and saws are crucial.  The ability to do accurate work starts with tuning and sharpening these tools. Subtle changes to even new tools can make a big difference to your work.

Some of the valuable skills you will learn in this extended two weekend class include sharpening  a back-saw and adjusting the set along with techniques for accurate sawing.  Setting up and sharpening a bench plane will be covered with an explanation of how block and rabbet planes relate to these methods.  Methods for flattening the backs of chisels and the use of hollow grinding before hand honing will also be taught. A simple project done entirely with hand tools will allow each student to apply and practice the skills being offered.

Most of the cutting and marking gauges for sale are either very expensive or don’t work very well.  A clean line that registers your chisel will make joinery much easier.  Each student will also make a cutting gauge in class with an adjustable knife that can be removed for sharpening. Having an accurate and effective tool that you have made will give you years of satisfaction along with some special skills that you will have for life.

Exercises in class will give you a chance to practice sawing and paring to a line for tenons and dovetails. You will also practice using a bench plane to true up surfaces, adjust edges and fit miters.  The use of the plane for cutting “spring joints” for edge gluing will be demonstrated and mastered as well.

If you don’t feel confident that you can improve machined parts using hand tools, this class is for you.  Loose your frustrations while learning from one of this country’s leading craftsmen. Tuition $495.00 plus materials

Section 101610A: Saturday & Sunday, October 16, 17 and November 13, 14, 9:30pm – 5:00pm

NOTE - NEW START DATE

general tool list    (will open in a new window)

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