Short Courses
Foundational Course Part 1 of 3
This opening workshop at the bench unlocks the mysteries of handwork.
Here we cover the basics essential to fine woodworking including:
- Sharpening
- Making joints
- Using hand tools
- Methods of work
Learn the basics of hand tool woodworking at the bench with Paul Sellers. We developed this workshop to provide a structured apprenticing strategy for new-genre woodworkers of all skill levels.
“I have taught this workshop to hundreds of woodworkers for over two decades.”
Beginning with the three most commonly used joints to establish a working knowledge of joinery, attendees gain many insights into the essentials that make working wood such a rewarding craft.
Making this Shaker candle box develops a range of woodworking skills to include laying out and developing dovetail joints, project layout, hinge recessing and more.
Foundational Course Part 1
Beginning jointed projects starts with understanding exactly which joints are best appropriate for what projects and so we start with the joints and tools first.
Joint making—making the three joints
The three important joints are the housing dado, the dovetail and the mortise and tenon joints. In making these joints each student learns traditional methods of joint layout to create the three joints in sequence. The tools used interchangeably throughout each joint are the sliding bevel, tape measure, combination square, layout knife, pencil, tenon saw, chisel, chisel hammer, mortise gauge, marking gauge (or combination gauge, which includes the two gauges in one), dovetail template and hand router. As the joinery is the primary purpose in these exercises we do not develop an actual project at this stage.
Project making—The Dovetailed Shaker Candle Box
Box making begins with dovetails and this box has some unique features to ensure participants develop the correct skills. The mastery of dovetails is core to any type of box and the common through dovetail has never been replaced by any modern method for strength and integrity.
We begin by making the four corner dovetail joints that give progressive practice to reinforce the learning curve in creating dovetail joint. Skills taught in making this box are: project planning, project layout, sizing and laying out dovetails, surface planing, dovetailing, forming roundovers, recessed hinge fitting, project finishing and applying finishes.
The tools used throughout this project are the sliding bevel, tape measure, combination square, layout knife, pencil, dovetail (small tenon) saw, chisel, chisel hammer, marking gauge, dovetail template and hand plane.
A three-day course (Part 1) – £295
Foundational Course part 2 of 3
Bookshelves and display cases rely entirely on mastering the housing dado joint and through tenons reflect the tradition of the Craftsman style.
Learning the essential of accuracy, sharpness and technique are each key to developing fine woodworking skills to include:
- Accurate layout techniques
- Making two key joints
- Shaping using hand tools
- Craftsman methods of work
In addition to learning the basics of hand tool woodworking, Paul Sellers takes you step by step to master the housing dado and the through mortise and tenon joints. We developed this workshop to establish solid understanding of to important joints used universally throughout woodworking.
“I have cut these joints for over four decades using mainly hand tool methods that guarantee impeccable accuracy and solid well-made joints.”
Beginning at the bench, each attendee quickly establishes a working knowledge of the appropriate use of joinery and gain many insights into the essentials used by craftsmen for centuries.
Making this Craftsman style shelf unit involves the development of a range of woodworking skills to include project layout, surface planing, project layout, arch shaping, joint making and more.
Foundational Course Part 2
Bookshelves and display shelves generally rely on the housing dado joint for its structural strength alone. In the bookcase/DVD case we include four mortise and tenon joints to increase lateral stability and strength. Two of the joints used are through mortise tenon joints following the Arts & Crafts tradition of the previous centuries.
With ten stopped housing dadoes used to construct this unit, students gain the substantive skill necessary to create accurate joints. Furthermore, the project provides the opportunity to develop four mortise and tenon joints, two of which have roundover through tenons.
Skills taught in making this multiple shelf unit are: project planning, project layout, sizing and laying out housing dadoes, surface planing, joint making, forming roundovers, tenon fitting, project finishing and applying finishes.
The tools used throughout this project are the sliding bevel, tape measure, combination square, layout knife, pencil, tenon saw, chisel, chisel hammer, marking gauge, router plane, mortise gauge (or combination gauge, which combines both in one gauge) and hand plane.
A three-day course (Part 2) – £295
Foundational Course part 3 of 3
Tables of every shape and size generally use the same principles of construction and this table provides the essential instruction you need.
As with the previous course modules, here we ensure that each attendee fully understands the essentials to create:
- Advanced sharpening
- Making mortise and tenon joints
- Advanced joinery techniques
- Methods of work
Building on the skills and techniques taught in the previous two modules, students learn more advanced planing methods and also the use of scrapers. We developed this workshop to encompass aspects important to table making and will discuss adaptations for other types of tables and writing desks.
“I’m amazed that in three 3-day modules my students can make great furniture pieces like this.”
Hundreds of woodworkers have gained increased confidence working with hand tools as they create this chairside table from solid oak. Forming haunched mortise and tenon joints mitred inside the joints provides a solid working knowledge of this amazing joint.
In making this chairside table, attendees will be introduced to methods developed by the New Legacy School staff that ensure perfect joints every time.
Foundational Course Part 3
Making tables involves the use of the mortise and tenon joint to connect the crossrails to the legs and this joint requires accurate cutting to ensure longevity. Undeniably, mortise and tenons can be tricky to make so that they fit well and align properly and Paul has developed his own methods that guarantee the right training and perfect joints every time. This chairside table has eight haunched mortise and tenon joints to interconnect the legs and rails. These joints are internally mitred to maximise tenon length and improve strength.
With the apron pieces arched and shaped using spokeshaves and the stop-cut method, students gain the shaping the skills necessary to create a wide range of other shaped components yet without the use of the bandsaw or other machines. Furthermore, the project provides the opportunity to develop gracefully shaped legs using a range of practical shaping tools.
Skills taught in making this chairside table are: project planning, project layout, sizing and laying out mortise and tenon joints, surface planing oak, joint making, tenon fitting, scraping tabletops, fitting turnbuttons for tabletop anchoring, project finishing and applying different finishes.
The tools used throughout this project are the tape measure, combination square, layout knife, pencil, tenon saw, chisel, chisel hammer, marking gauge, mortise gauge (or combination gauge, which combines both in one gauge), router plane and hand plane.
A three-day course (Part 3) – £295
