Mastering Machinery


Tuition and Materials: $1,075 Cdn
Combined with Excellence With Hand Tools: $1,840 Can
Please see our Calendar for dates

In this companion course to Excellence With Hand Tools, we focus on the safe and efficient use of woodworking machinery to prepare stock and create joinery, as well as the maintenance and tuning of each of the major woodworking machines with a view towards maximizing safety and accuracy.
 
Students will use the jointer, planer, band saw, table saw, radial arm saw, horizontal mortiser and routers to prepare materials and cut a variety of basic joints intrinsic in building high quality furniture. We start with the development of a cutting list and estimation of materials, then go on to cover a logical, orderly and efficient manner of preparing and dimensioning stock designed to eliminate costly errors. You’ll learn the use of cabinetmaker’s marks, choosing grain orientation with considerations for seasonal wood movement, and the use of wood figure to improve and strengthen the design of your furniture.

 In order to get the most from our machines, they need to be well tuned and maintained. During this course we will demonstrate the tuning and set up of jointers, planers, table saws and band saws using simple tools for highly accurate results, as well as the selection of blades and cutters. Finally, we will discuss the nuts and bolts of setting up a shop, with recommendations for choosing specific machinery, layout, storage etc.

Pre-requisite:  Excellence With Hand Tools or equivalent recommended, though not required