Classes

Upcoming Classes

Bandsaw Box Class

November 13 & 14, 2021
Instructor: John Slezak NWA Member/Instructor
Experience Level for this Class: Basic Woodworking Skills
Description: Bandsaw box is a unique design configured from a single block of wood which allows a consistent look of color, grain and features.

Syllabus: Bandsaw Box is a jewelry type box cut from a solid block of wood. Drawers are cut out using a bandsaw and all parts are then glued together, sanded and finished with a quality satin lining inside. Fish shaped knobs are made for drawer pulls.

Day 1: 11/13/21 – Introduction to bandsaw techniques used for making a bandsaw box. Learn and make all cuts required for a 2 drawer bandsaw box from a solid block of high quality hardwood.

Day 2: 11/14/21 – Make final outside bandsaw cuts and drawer pulls. Then fit, sand, glue and insert satin lining inside drawers.

Class Time is:    Saturday 12:30-5:00 / Sunday 9:00-5:00
Course Tuition: $100 NWA members (Tuition includes materials)

You must be a current dues paying member to take the course. You can become a member by paying $60 for a years membership and be eligible for all courses, tool and wood auctions, reduced admission to Showcase and other member benefits.

Location: Herman Finkbeiner Learning Center, 97 Railroad Ave., Colonie, NY 12205

Registration: There are 6 seats available in this course.

To reserve a spot in this course Email: nwaeducation@gmail.com. Do not send payment until you place is confirmed by e-mail.

Past Classes

Kumiko Class

Build a Kumiko Panel (2-day class)
Instructor: Juliana Shei NWA member/Instructor

Experience Level: Basic woodworking skills helpful but not required

What is Kumiko? Kumiko is a Japanese style of woodwork. The process involves interconnecting carved wooden pieces together in geometric patterns to create a finished panel without the use of glue, nails, or any external tools.  

Course Description
There are many kumiko patterns and methods. In this class, you will make kumiko frames and strips using table saw and use hand tools to create a kaku-asanoha design (square hemp leaf) panels of the size of your choice that you can incorporate into your project such as a wall decoration, box, or furniture.   

Syllabus 
Day 1 – Design and decide the size of finished Kumiko panel. Make table saw jigs to cut notches and thin strips. Make frame and infill strips to be used on day 2.
Day 2 – Assemble the frames. Make infills and complete the pattern.

Tools to Bring
Sharp chisel, ¾” or 1” wide
Thin blade hand saw. Either small dozuki or small ryoba saw.  
Small block plane (optional)

________________

Make a Finger Joint Box Two Ways – With Table Saw & Router Table

Instructors: Joe Carmola and Dave Mobley

Experience Level for this Class: Intermediate level – some prior experience with woodworking machine tools is expected. 

Description: Students will build two similar lidded finger joint boxes they can take home – one primarily using the table saw and one primarily using the router table.

Students will:

  • Learn and review safe operation of the table saw and router table
  • Learn box joinery techniques
  • Gain hands-on experience with joinery methods on both the table saw and router table
  • Execute the necessary sequence of steps to build two lidded boxes

 [THIS CLASS QUALIFIES FOR A FISKE FUND GRANT of up to 50% reimbursement. Visit our Fiske Fund page for information and application. You must apply PRIOR to the class

Class will consist of two sessions:

Saturday, March 7 and 

Saturday, March 14, 2020

Class Time:     12:30 to 4:30 PM each date

(Note: class time does not include a lunch break.)

Location:

Herman Finkbeiner Educational Center

97 Railroad Ave, Albany, NY 12205

off Fuller Road. 

Parking: There is ample parking directly in front of the building. The handicap parking places near the shop door are always available to those who have the proper handicap signs/plates.

Cost of Course: $125.00 

Materials and Supplies Needed: Will be provided  

Registration: There are 8 seats available in this course.

To register, contact: nwaeducation@gmail.com 

Turn a Christmas
Sea Urchin Ornament 

Instructor:   John Kingsley
 
Class Dates:  

Saturday November 23, 2019

Class Time is:
      11:30 AM – 4:00 PM
 
Experience Level for this Class:
    Basic woodworking skills helpful but not required
 
Course description:  
Turning an ornament embellished with a Sea Urchin.
 
THIS CLASS QUALIFIES FOR A FISKE FUND GRANT of up to 50% reimbursement. 
You must apply on the NWA web site www.woodworker.org PRIOR to the CLASS.
Class Dates:  
 
Location:
    Herman Finkbeiner Educational Center
97 Railroad Ave, Albany, NY 12205  
 
Cost of Course:
$25.00 NWA Member
$85.00 Nonmember
Tuition – Paid to NWA
 
Materials included
 
Registration:
There are only 8 seats available in this course.
 

Interested students must register with nwaeducation@gmail.com

 

Introduction to Woodworking

Instructor: Various 

Experience Level for this Class: No woodworking skills required

Description: A five session Class.

Week one:

How to properly handle and stack green lumber for drying and future use, and why. Learn to identify flatsawn, riftsawn and quartersawn lumber and properties of each. Learn to use basic shop equipment to safely prepare lumber for making a tool tote.

Project: Tool tote.

Week two:

Identifying the parts of a bandsaw.  Setting it up including how to install and adjust the blade. Proper safe operation of a bandsaw.

Project: A bandsaw box.

Week three:

Hand tools: Why use them; How to use; How to maintain.  

Project: A bench hook.

Week four:  

Basic wood turning: Introduction of tools and safe use.  

Project:Turning a candle stick.

Week five:

Scroll Saw Basics: Identification of the parts of the scroll saw, cutting basic patterns and understanding the types of projects that are unique to the scroll saw.

Project: Cat; Fish; Butterfly.

Carving Basics: Safety issues of using a knife; wood grain and its effects on carving; demo of preparing the carving blank.

Project: Carving a comfort bird. 

These class will give you a strong foundation you can take to the next level.

Class Dates:  This class will run 5 Consecutive weeks, meeting once a week on the following Saturdays.

September 21 & 28, October 5, 12, & 19, 2019

Class Time is 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Cost of Course: $180.00 NWA Member; $240.00 Nonmember

Materials and Supplies will be provided. 

Registration: There are 8  seats available in this course.

Build a Kumiko Panel with Matt Kenney
Instructor:   Matt Kenney

Friday November 22, 2019 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

 
Experience Level for this Class:
    Basic woodworking skills helpful but not required
 
Kumiko course description:  
In Japan, doors,windows and room screens are often decorated with a delicate wooden framework called kumiko. The beauty of these frames is enhanced by using small piece of wood to create geometric or floral patterns in the framework. This same technique can be used in furniture making to add a beautiful detail to a door panel, table top, or cabinet base. Kumiko panels also make eye-catching wall art.
 
At first glance, kumiko panels certainly give the impression that they’d be extremely difficult to make. However, they aren’t. In this class,you’ll learn how to make a square framework, and the classic asa-no-ha infill pattern. I explain how to make the joinery for the framework, and then we’ll assemble a frame. After that, you’ll create the small pieces used to make the infill pattern, and then get to work making them for your panel. At the end of the day, you’ll have a beautiful panel.   
 
Kumiko Course Outline:
1. Slideshow that explains how I make the frame parts
2.Show students how to assemble and glue up the frames
3. Students assemble frames
4.Demonstrate how to make each of the infill pieces (I do this one piece at a time with the students making their pieces before I demonstrate the next piece.)   
5.Sanding the completed pannel
 
Kumiko class tool list:
3/4 or 1 in. wide chisel. Please be sharp
Douki saw
 
THIS CLASS QUALIFIES FOR A FISKE FUND GRANT of up to 50% reimbursement. 
You must apply on the NWA web site www.woodworker.org PRIOR to the CLASS.
Class Dates:  
 

 

Location:
    Herman Finkbeiner Educational Center
97 Railroad Ave, Albany, NY 12205
off Fuller Road.   
 
Cost of Course:
  $150.00 NWA Member
$210,00 Nonmember
Tuition – Paid to NWA
 
Materials included: A set of guide blocks will be provided for the class. They may be purchased for $55.00 for the pair, after class.
 
Registration:
There are only 12 seats available in this course.
 
Interested students must register with nwaeducation@gmail.com
You will receive an email confirming your enrollment, and payment instructions. 
Please do not send any payments until you receive confirmation and instructions

Make Your Own Japanese Style Pencil Marking Gauge

Juliana Shei – Instructor
Marking gauges with sharp edges or points leave undesirable scribe marks on the wood surface.  It’s also difficult to see a scribed line on hard wood.  Make your own Japanese style marking gauge, use pencil and eliminate scribe mark on your wood or use light colored pencil to mark dark wood.  
 
Day 1: Cut materials to size and glue up headstock.
Day 2: Shape and sand headstock, chisel out beam hole on headstock, drill a hole to fit a pencil. 
 
Tools Needed: 6 small clamps, small square, and 1/4″ & 1/2″ chisels, 
 
All materials, including pencils, are provided
 
There are openings for 12 students and the cost will be $30 each
 
Thursday, May 23rd, 2019
6:00 – 9:00pm
AND
Saturday, May 25th, 12:00 – 4:00pm

Oval Shaker Boxes

Bill Sterling – instructor
 
Sunday, April 28, 2019 10:00am – 4:00pm
AND
Sunday, May 5, 10:00am – 4:00pm
 
This class will allow participants to make four (4) oval Shaker boxes of different sizes and of different woods. All materials are provided by the instructor, as well as all tools needed to form, shape and build the boxes.  Cost is $150 including materials.
Bob Van Dyke
of the Connecticut Valley School of Woodworking presents…
Demonstrations & Classes as follows:
 
Saturday, February 9, 1pm – 4:30pm
No- Your Tablesaw is NOT trying to kill you! 
Getting More from your Tablesaw Than you ever Thought was Possible
 
Sunday, February 10, 9:00am – 12:00pm:
The Basics-and The Not So Basics- of Using Handplanes 
 
Sunday, February 10, 1:00pm – 4:30pm:
No- Your Tablesaw is NOT trying to kill you! 
Getting More from your Tablesaw Than you ever Thought was Possible