Matt Stiegler
09-06-2009, 7:49 PM
I just took a woodworking class at the Philadelphia Furniture Workshop (http://www.philadelphiafurnitureworkshop.com/) this weekend and wanted to share my thoughts for others who might be considering doing the same.
The verdict: great, great class, well worth the (non-trivial) cost. I definitely will be taking more classes there in the future.
The class I took was Woodworking Machinery Basics, an intro to using the table saw, bandsaw, jointer, and planer, taught by SMCer Alan Turner (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=31386). They have a wide range of other classes (ten this month alone), from total beginner on up, stationary tools and hand tools, skill-oriented or project-oriented.
Only seven students in my class, ranging from total beginners to, uh, serious beginners like me, and I think everyone there came away with having learned a lot and enjoyed themselves. Lots of hands-on experience and individual feedback, patient and clear instruction from an unusually talented and experienced woodworker and teacher, and the chance to play with some seriously nice tools.
Everyone who's posted about classes at PFW (here (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?p=972224#poststop) and here (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=39896) and here (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=104077) and here (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=21537) and here (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=77934) and at least one other one I can't find now) has been just as enthusiastic as I am.
The verdict: great, great class, well worth the (non-trivial) cost. I definitely will be taking more classes there in the future.
The class I took was Woodworking Machinery Basics, an intro to using the table saw, bandsaw, jointer, and planer, taught by SMCer Alan Turner (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=31386). They have a wide range of other classes (ten this month alone), from total beginner on up, stationary tools and hand tools, skill-oriented or project-oriented.
Only seven students in my class, ranging from total beginners to, uh, serious beginners like me, and I think everyone there came away with having learned a lot and enjoyed themselves. Lots of hands-on experience and individual feedback, patient and clear instruction from an unusually talented and experienced woodworker and teacher, and the chance to play with some seriously nice tools.
Everyone who's posted about classes at PFW (here (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?p=972224#poststop) and here (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=39896) and here (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=104077) and here (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=21537) and here (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=77934) and at least one other one I can't find now) has been just as enthusiastic as I am.