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Firewood Treasures [Session 1: June 27 - July 2]

This workshop is an exploration of simple ideas for turning firewood (or a fallen tree) into treasures for the home. Participants will have an opportunity to choose among several simple projects, such as a rolling pin, a candlestick, a matched set of coffee coasters, Christmas tree ornaments, or a collage trivet. The workshop will include opportunities to learn some basic wood turning techniques and the art of producing a traditional rubbed oil finish. No previous experience with woodworking is needed, bring only your imagination. Ages 16 &endash; adult. Materials fee $15. Email: rhsmith@mcdaniel.edu 2 Periods, Week I &endash; Rick Smith

Max. enrollment: 10

Treasures from the Firewood Pile

 

 

PREVIOUS COMMON GROUND WORKSHOPS

Woodworking - From Tree to Bench! [Session 1: June 30 - July 4, 2002]

An exploration of green wood working using the techniques of Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century American carpentry. Participants in this class will use traditional woodworking tools (axe, froe, adze, chisel, plane, drawknife, and spokeshave) to construct a basic half-round or plank bench from a log. They will also master use of the shaving horse (shown below). This elaborated bench was an indespensible tool for making chairs, rakes, axe handles, shakes, and other such items in the Colonial carpentry shop. No previous woodworking experience is required. While tools will be provided, students are encouraged to bring their own (see list below). Materials fee: $35. 3-4 Periods

Max. enrollment: 6

Participants should email instructor ASAP, so that arrangements can be made to procure a sufficient number of logs for the class, and to obtain any new info on the workshop.

Tools to be used in course:

hewing hatchet/broad hatchet (blade has a single bevel)
drawknife
spokeshaves (both flat and curved blade useful)
set of bench chisels
2 wooden mallets (for froe and chisels)
3 bench plane
froe
small sledge hammer
standard axe
adze
iron wedges or wooden gluts
1 - 1 1/2" auger, or bit brace and 1 - 1 1/2" bit   Classic Half-Round Log Bench

 

Woodworking - From Tree to Bench! (Session 2, 2001)

An exploration of green wood working using the techniques of Colonial American carpentry. Students in this class will use traditional woodworking tools (axe, froe, adze, chisels, planes and spokeshaves) to construct a shaving horse from a log. No previous woodworking experience is required. The shaving horse was an indispensible tool in the pre-twentieth century carpenter's shop for making chairs, rakes, axe handles and other such items that require shaving a billet of wood. While tools will be provided, students are encouraged to bring their own (see list below). Materials fee: $35. 3 Periods

Tools to be used in course:

*hewing hatchet/broad hatchet (blade has a single bevel)
*drawknife
*spokeshaves (both flat and curved blade useful)
set of bench chisels
2 wooden mallets (for froe and chisels)
#3 bench plane
froe
small sledge hammer
standard axe
adze
iron wedges or wooden gluts
1 - 1 1/2" auger, or bit brace and 1 - 1 1/2" bit

* tools not only for making, but also in using, a shaving horse.

Shaving Horse Layout Details

Log Layout Details

Making Dumbhead Working Parts

 

Peter Follansbee describes the difference between the continental shaving horse (schnitzelbank) and the English shaving horse, and includes plans for one version of the latter.

Chapter 8 is a description of how to make an English shavinghorse.

 

Plans for a continental or dumbhead style shavinghorse by Drew Langsner. A related short article is found in Appendix A of his book, Green Woodworking.

Chapter 4 is an excellent description of how to make a dumbhead shavinghorse.

 

This is an excellent "how to" source for sharpening just about anything that has a steel cutting edge. There are a number of books on sharpening out there, but for my money this is by far the best.

Wood Magazine (see www.woodmagazine .com)

Fine Woodworking, Taunton Press

Woodcraft (1-800-225-1153, www.woodcraft.com)

Woodworkers Supply, Inc. (1-800-645-9292)

The GarrettWade Tool Catalog (1-800-221-2942, www.garrettwade.com)