HCF at Marc Adams School of Woodworking
Dec 12 – 14, 2003

(Text by Jim Pate, Pictures by Nan Schulte)

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December 12, sixteen members of the HCF met at the Marc Adams School of Woodworking for a three day course in “Basic Woodworking and Furniture Construction”.  The purpose of these three days was to construct a small oak side table designed in the Maloof style.  The construction of this table depended upon significant amounts of both machine and hand work.  As is customary in a Marc Adams course, the project work was supplemented by instruction in the theory of effective furniture construction and design.  Marc is also a strong believer in teaching some of the manual techniques (such as the hand cutting of dovetails) that are important in the building of fine furniture.










The three days went quickly, with the first day devoted to constructing and shaping the leg assemblies of the table.  Success was measured by the gluing the first pair of legs to the central column.  Day Two focused on finishing the leg assembly and gluing up the top.  Final sanding and shaping combined with attaching the top occupied the final day.

The lecture portion of the course discussed several aspects of furniture design.  Topics such as types of ornamentation in furniture and the important criteria of form and design were presented in a lecture accompanied by a slide show of a wide range of furniture designs.  Separate presentations on the properties of wood, elements of joinery, glue/adhesives, and finishing also added to the wealth of information presented to the attendees.

Theory was also accompanied by the practice of some manual techniques.  Class participants had the opportunity to practice their sharpening skills on their chisels using Marc’s technique of sharpening with sandpaper.  This was followed by a short session in the hand cutting of dovetails.

For those of you not familiar with the School, the Marc Adams School of Woodworking  is located at 5504 East 500 North, Franklin Indiana (off of exit 95, I-65).  It is the largest woodworking school in the US.  The school runs week long and week-end classes in woodworking from April through October and features some of the best known woodworkers in the world as instructors.  Courses cover all aspects of woodworking including furniture construction, furniture design, turning, carving, veneering, joinery, chair making, etc.  Class participants come from all over the US to participate and to learn and demand for spots within the courses is high.  Most of the sessions fill up early and many can have extensive waiting lists. 

Because of our proximity to the school, we have a unique opportunity to take advantage of the resources offered by this school.  Because of the interest expressed by the class participants, Marc has offered to sponsor additional events for the HCF.  If there is sufficient interest within the club, Marc has volunteered to host a similar event late in 2004.  We are not limited to repeating this year’s session but could have a three day session on a wide range of possible woodworking subjects.


Home Craftsmen Forum's
2003 Winter Furniture Making Class,
Marc Adams' School of Woodworking
 

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