Center for Essential Education
School of Woodworking
Discover the Art of Hand Tool Woodworking


Building a
Craftsman-Style Rocking Chair

A six-day workshop
Completing even a simple chair often involves the use of layout methods and construction techniques that most furniture workshops no longer practice. Working through each stage of this Craftsman-style rocking chair will help students gain new levels of confidence as they complete this challenging and complex project.
As with all our courses, we emphasize the important elements of traditional hand tool use through craftsman demonstrations and practical hands-on workshops throughout each day. In addition to reinforcing the skills already taught through the one- and three-day workshops, we develop other key areas important to woodworking including finishing techniques, leather upholstery and so on.
Prerequisite:  Six-day combination course or the three-day Occasional Table workshop

Building a Brazos Rocker

A twelve-day workshop

This Brazos rocking chair, an original design by Paul Sellers, is one of the unique pieces made by the craftsmen furniture makers here at the woodworking school. They take you step-by-step as you build this classic design from solid cherry using traditional hand methods. If you would like to make this rocker in curly maple, there will be an additional charge of $500.00.

Class size 4
Prerequisite: Foundational Course

Building a Night Stand/End Table

A six-day workshop
This workshop encompasses all the essential elements of frame making and carcass construction including half-blind dovetail and mortise and tenon joinery. You will build the table and form the complete project, including drawer construction, using the traditional hand tool techniques developed.

This project will strengthen your furniture making as well as enable you to make other projects of this type: coffee tables, dining tables, desks and so on.

Prerequisite: Six-day combination course or the three-day Occasional Table workshop

Building a Walnut Trestle Table

A six-day workshop
Following an original design by Paul Sellers, this trestle coffee table incorporates the unusual feature of a dovetailed apron which supports the tabletop and gives visual solidity to the overall design. Made from solid walnut, the table has several mortise and tenon joints that connect the uprights to the apron and feet and through tenons to the arched transom rail which tie all the components into a distinctive yet practical heirloom piece.
Prerequisite: Woodworking Basics

Traditional Joiner's Tool Box

A six-day workshop
The proportions of this tool chest follow patterns of chests typically used by joiners and furniture makers in years past. The construction elements and methods used by those craftsman included inset raised panels and mortise and tenoned frames that have, in recent years, been replaced by plywood or tongue and grooved boarding. The joinery designed into the piece will provide an enjoyable challenge. Students discover that this project will last a lifetime and provide an ideal storage case for their prized tools.
Prerequisite: Woodworking Basics