Woodworking Classes in Chicagoland area?

[Adam Cavaliere]

I am looking to take some woodworking classes around the Chicagoland area. I live in Palatine, so I know of Woodcraft.
I haven't been too impressed with the options from Woodcraft. Should I be?

Thanks for the input.

[Charlie Schultz]

Well, I used to live in Palatine. As for WC, I imagine the class quality is largely a function of the particular instructor, YMMV. The Hardwood Connection (in Sycamore) has classes during the winter, but not necessarily hands on classes. Also, one of the larger woodworking clubs meets at the Palatine WC (or at least used to), and they should be an excellent resource for such info. I wound up taking a woodturning class at the Morton Arboretum from one of their members.

[J. Z. Guest]

You might try Harper College.

The classes at Woodcraft are to bring you into the store or to teach a very specific skill.

You could also volunteer at a cabinet shop.

[Ben Martin]

I will pay attention to this thread. I am down in Bolingbrook and was wondering the same thing.

[Adam Cavaliere]

Well, I used to live in Palatine. As for WC, I imagine the class quality is largely a function of the particular instructor, YMMV. The Hardwood Connection (in Sycamore) has classes during the winter, but not necessarily hands on classes. Also, one of the larger woodworking clubs meets at the Palatine WC (or at least used to), and they should be an excellent resource for such info. I wound up taking a woodturning class at the Morton Arboretum from one of their members.

I really have no interest in turning at this time and I think the club at the Woodcraft store is a turning club.

At WC it seems to be focused on specific tools for their classes. I'd rather have a pretty nice mix of a project from start to end. Hopefully someone knows of those types of classes somewhere.

[Katherine Bercaw]

College of DuPage has some woodworking classes. I took one and was not impressed with the teacher. (He was hired as the football coach and told to teach drivers ed & shop too.) BUT they had great huge wonderfull tools you can use. 14" jointer. 24+ inch planer 36" drum sander. 2 Saw-stops plus assorted miter saws, a band saw, 36" long belt sander....

I just took Jeff Millers hand tools workshops a couple months ago. :D I'd recommend his classes to anyone. I now know how to sharpen tools plus use chisels and planes :) He was a great teacher.
http://www.furnituremaking.com/workshophome.html

[Christof Grohs]

How far are you willing to travel for classes? If you don't mind the drive you could check out Marc Adams School in Indianapolis (http://www.marcadams.com/2008_Instructors.html)

[Keith Spaniel]

Check the chicago park district . Its hard to find ,there are 2 places that have classes I just looked couldnt find it ,but I know its available.