Woodworking classes

[Ashwini Kaul]

Compared to a lot of you I am a novice in this hobby. I am 33, live in Syracuse, NY and work fulltime but have the weekends to dabble in my hobbies. Since I recently converted to a 4 week work schedule, I have a 3-day weekend. I am looking to take some begginer to intermediate hand tool, furniture building classes/lessons. Although I have been watching videos and reading books, I feel I need some hands on teaching to learn correct techniques and address my flaws. I am most impressed by arts and crafts style furniture, partly influenced by my many visits to the nearby Stickley factory and store. I cant afford any of the furniture yet, but sure is great to look and feel!
I am willing to travel 4-6 hrs from here on the weekends since I dont know of any such resource available locally. Obviously I can only do Fri-Sun lessons.
Please advise of any resources you folks have heard good things about or had first hand experience with.
Many Thanks in advance!

[Nicholas Lingg]

There use to be some direct flights from Syracuse to RDU airport. Roy's about a 30 to 40 min's from the airport.

http://www.woodwrightschool.com/

[Prashun Patel]

Ashwini-

If there is a local Woodcraft, then go to some of their classes. They're a good place to start.

Honestly, though, I think you can learn a tremendous amount from dvd's and online videos - at least at the beginning. Once you get to a decent level of competency, then I'd suggest taking a week-long project class like on how to make a Morris or Windsor Chair or a Maloof Rocker. This is where you'll benefit most; masters will be able to tweak your technique then.

I'm far from an expert, but I think the best way to learn is to pick a project and buy plans for it. On each project, try to challenge yrself to learn one more technique.

[Ashwini Kaul]

There use to be some direct flights from Syracuse to RDU airport. Roy's about a 30 to 40 min's from the airport.

http://www.woodwrightschool.com/

Great idea, and I would love to take some of their courses in the future, but no direct flights.

[Ashwini Kaul]

Ashwini-

If there is a local Woodcraft, then go to some of their classes. They're a good place to start.

Honestly, though, I think you can learn a tremendous amount from dvd's and online videos - at least at the beginning. Once you get to a decent level of competency, then I'd suggest taking a week-long project class like on how to make a Morris or Windsor Chair or a Maloof Rocker. This is where you'll benefit most; masters will be able to tweak your technique then.

I'm far from an expert, but I think the best way to learn is to pick a project and buy plans for it. On each project, try to challenge yrself to learn one more technique.

Hey Prashun,
Thanks for the tips... I will remember to check out the closest woodcraft... about an hr away in Rochester.

Regards
Ash

[Matt Bickford]

Check out Chuck Bender's Acanthus Workshop (www.acanthus.com). If you were to judge a teacher by what he has personally been commissioned to make, there is no doubt that he is in the very top bracket. He's 30-40 minutes north of Philadelphia. He's a great teacher and the classes are small and intimate.

[David Martino]

You might check out community college programs in your area. I was looking at weeklong and weekend classes but most were far away and more than I could afford. Then I found that a couple local community colleges had excellent woodworking programs - top notch, a full semester of Saturday classes and a relative bargain too. Some schools are more geared to training for carpentry or industrial cabinet shops, some have more of a hand tool emphasis. Only problem is many have shrunk class offerings with state budget cuts. Something to consider if you can't get over to North Bennett Street School every weekend...

[Ashwini Kaul]

Check out Chuck Bender's Acanthus Workshop (www.acanthus.com). If you were to judge a teacher by what he has personally been commissioned to make, there is no doubt that he is in the very top bracket. He's 30-40 minutes north of Philadelphia. He's a great teacher and the classes are small and intimate.

This looks great... will be signing up for future classes. Its 4 hrs away.
Funny he doesnt get much press or google hits.

[Ashwini Kaul]

You might check out community college programs in your area. I was looking at weeklong and weekend classes but most were far away and more than I could afford. Then I found that a couple local community colleges had excellent woodworking programs - top notch, a full semester of Saturday classes and a relative bargain too. Some schools are more geared to training for carpentry or industrial cabinet shops, some have more of a hand tool emphasis. Only problem is many have shrunk class offerings with state budget cuts. Something to consider if you can't get over to North Bennett Street School every weekend...

That was the first place I looked. But looks like the WW classes got the boot. There are a couple of carpentry classes. Nothing that peaked my interest.

[Ashwini Kaul]

Here are the places I have identified as possibilities:

1. Woodcraft store in Buffalo NY
2. http://finewoodcarver.com/ was recommended by a fellow member here. Seems to be specialised in Woodcarving though?
3. http://www.philadelphiafurnitureworkshop.com/ is definitely high on my list even though its a 4 and a half hour drive.
4. http://www.acanthus.com/ is another option. It is closer than Philly for me.

Anyone know of more... plz post!

[Tom Godley]

I'm currently taking the Windsor Chair Class at Philadelphia Furniture Workshop - This weekend is the final assembly. This is a 7 day class.

The other long classes I have taken are the Providence writing desk and the workbench class - have also taken a few of the shorter classes.


I have enjoyed them all.

[David Gilbert]

Ashwin,

Since you are only an hour or so from Rochester here is another opportunity for some classes. I'm a member of the Rochester Woodworking Society and we have a full set of classes and most of them are very reasonably priced. We have both local and national workshops. Here is a link to our website where you can get full information: http://www.rochesterwoodworkers.org/

We have a number of members in the Syracuse area who come over for our classes and meetings so there is a chance to carpool for some of the events.

If you would like to discuss our programs, send me a PM and I will give you a call.

Cheers,
David

[Ashwini Kaul]

Ashwin,

Since you are only an hour or so from Rochester here is another opportunity for some classes. I'm a member of the Rochester Woodworking Society and we have a full set of classes and most of them are very reasonably priced. We have both local and national workshops. Here is a link to our website where you can get full information: http://www.rochesterwoodworkers.org/

We have a number of members in the Syracuse area who come over for our classes and meetings so there is a chance to carpool for some of the events.

If you would like to discuss our programs, send me a PM and I will give you a call.

Cheers,
David

David,
Thanks for drawing my attention to this. Quite a lineup for the coming months! Wow! I had given up on RWS after nothing of my interest had popped up in the past. We had a family membership the we let lapse. You can count on me being there for at least 6-7 events. And congratulations on the website too. It is so much better and easy to navigate than before.

Best Regards
Kaul.

[Mark Lawrence]

sign on to Fine Woodworking website and search their dictory of woodwooking classes/schools.there are several

[Sean Hughto]

I grew up in Syracuse; The biggest intersection near my house was Colvin and Comstock if that gives you an idea. I went to Nottingham HS. My parents still live in the area.

I don't know of any classes, but I'm guessing there must be some clubs or at least some advanced woodworkers in the Syracuse area that you could find.

I know that University College has various art classes they offer adults (ceramics etc.). You might see whether they have a woodworking class.