Woodcraft of Northern Virginia

River Cast Style Charcuterie Board - CLS1004

Part 1: Thursday, September 5, 6 PM - 9 PM

Part 2: Thursday, September 12, 6 PM - 9 PM

Create a beautiful 9"X16" Charcuterie board (cheese board) using a river casting technique with wood and resin. You will learn to minimize and eliminate air bubbles, build a mold, and mix color and resin. When cured, release the mold, sand and apply a finish that will make this a one of a kind Charcuterie board. Student will need to purchase a 4"X36" board of their choice. All other supplies are included.

Turn A Platter - CLS370

Friday, September 13, 5 PM - 9 PM

You've turned a bowl, but have you ever turned a platter? This class will show you how to expand your running repertoire with this classic form. The student will be shown how to best achieve a flawless finish and how to add unique embellishments to make this more than just a utilitarian turning. Students will also be shown how to create a simple display stand from the platter blank cutoffs.

Woodworking Fundamentals II - CLS612

Part 1: Saturday, September 14, 9:30 AM - 5 PM

Part 2: Sunday, September 15, 9:30 AM - 5 PM

Want to try woodworking but not sure where to start? Hundreds of people start here, where you'll "meet the shop"! We'll show you how to use most of the common hand and power tools in the modern woodworking shop. You will learn about taking rough wood into a finished piece using the planer, jointer, miter saw, router and tablesaw. The class project will be a Shaker-style table design and is a perfect blend of traditional joints and delicate lines. Learn mortise and tenon joinery, cutting tapered legs, and basic hand tool use of chisels and planes. Learn the fundamentals of woodworking and take home a hand crafted piece of furniture.

Advanced Sketchup for Woodworking - CLS515

Monday, September 16, 6 PM - 9 PM

Attendees are highly encouraged to have attended the Introduction to SketchUp class, or will need to have a basic familiarity and understating of the standard software. Attendees will be guided through a hands-on tutorial of advanced features of the software package. Attendees are highly encouraged to bring a laptop with a 3-button mouse. Attendees will be taught project layout and boundary design, various project views, component construction in 3D, creating offsets, reveals, and vectors, applying textures, creating custom trim profiles, shading tools, and ultimately creating a cut-list for a project build, 3D printing, or CNC processing.

Scroll Saw Level I - CLS181

Tuesday, September 17, 6 PM - 9 PM

What is a scroll saw and what can you do with it? Join us for a fun evening of learning all about this versatile tool! We’ll start with chatting about the different components of the saw, various blade options and how to choose the right one, and then spend most of the class time scrolling. While practicing, you’ll be able to ask questions, seek feedback, and receive tips and tricks on how to maneuver your piece for optimal cutting and precision. If you’ve been looking for a fun new hobby, give the scroll saw a try!

Custom Knife Making - CLS345

Part 1: Thursday, September 19, 6 PM - 9 PM

Part 2: Thursday, September 26, 6 PM - 9 PM

This class is intended to teach safe knife making to woodworkers of any skill level. Starting with a knife blank, you will learn how to select, prepare and fasten the handle material. Then you will learn how to shape, polish and finish the handle and the metal. Advanced techniques such as folding knives and compound handles may also be taught depending on time. Each student should go home with a completed knife. STUDENT PROVIDES/BUYS KNIFE KIT AND SCALES.

Build An Acoustic Guitar - CLS149

Part 1: Friday, September 20, 8 AM - 6 PM

Part 2: Saturday, September 21, 8 AM - 6 PM

Part 3: Sunday, September 22, 8 AM - 3 PM

Using our unique kit, you'll build an acoustic steel-string guitar that becomes your own personalized instrument. Our step-by-step process guides you through truss rod installation, fingerboard and fret assembly on the neck, as well as brace trimming and alignment, top installation, bridge gluing and alignment, purfling, and final setup on the body. You'll walk out of class with either a Sapele Back & Sides w/Spruce Top (835123) or Curly Maple Back & Sides w/Cedar Top (835124) acoustic guitar—your choice—ready for a final top coat finish.

Creating, Running & Growing a Woodworking Business

Monday, September 23, 6 PM - 9 PM

Attendees will be introduced to the various aspects of running a woodworking business, and points to consider when starting a business, creating quotes and estimates, establishing labor rates, sourcing and charging for materials, determining overhead and ancillary costs, working and communicating with customers, contracting projects, advertising, and how to build a budget profile to grow a business and create long-term wealth.

Restoring Old Hand Planes - CLS344

Wednesday, September 25, 6 PM - 9 PM

Learn how to restore your old hand planes to good working condition. Bring your old hand planes and sharpening equipment and get started on turning them into good workers. Learn how to lap the sole, remove rust, sharpen the blade, re-set the chipbreaker, upgrade the blade, refinish the toe and tote, and re-assemble and adjust the plane.

River Cast Style Charcuterie Board - CLS1004

Part 1: Thursday, October 3, 6 PM - 9 PM

Part 2: Thursday, October 10, 6 PM - 9 PM

Create a beautiful 9"X16" Charcuterie board (cheese board) using a river casting technique with wood and resin. You will learn to minimize and eliminate air bubbles, build a mold, and mix color and resin. When cured, release the mold, sand and apply a finish that will make this a one of a kind Charcuterie board. Student will need to purchase a 4"X36" board of their choice. All other supplies are included.

Date Night At Woodcraft - CLS670

Friday, October 4, 6 PM - 9 PM

Do you and your significant other want to learn basic wood working skills and have fun creating a one of a kind project together? We will provide materials, all you do is show up and be ready to make some saw dust. Projects will vary from month to month and will consist of small projects such as pens, bottle stoppers, bottle openers, picture holders, and wine bottle holders. Tuition fee is per couple.

Router: Introduction - CLS729

Saturday, October 5, 9:30 AM - 1 PM

Are you new to the Router? Are you thinking about buying your first one? Then this class is for you. You will be introduced to the different types of routers (small compact router, mid-range 1 3/4 hp and 2 1/2 hp router, and the heavy duty 3 1/4 hp). During the class you will see how they work and what kind of operations routers can do well. How to operate a router safely will be discussed both for hand held operations and when a router is used in a router table. Different types of router bits will be discussed and how to choose them to complete the projects that you are designing.

Router: Advanced Techniques - CLS172

Saturday, October 5, 1 PM - 5 PM

Now that you bought a router, you want to get started using it to make beautiful projects. Routers often work most effectively with jigs to help you realize this goal. In this class, you will learn how to match a jig to the router task and how to make a variety of jigs for your projects. This class will not only discuss the operations that use your router as a hand held router tool, but also how to setup and operate a router in a router table.

Introduction To The Lathe - CLS238

Sunday, October 6, 10 AM - 5 PM

Tired of making things square and flat? Don't have room for all the equipment? Quench your woodworking desires through artistic turning. This class introduces you to the lathe, turning tools, sharpening and turning techniques. This class incorporates basic techniques to produce a candle stick.

Skew Fundamentals - CLS234

Wednesday, October 9, 6 PM - 9 PM

Using the skew is a challenge for many turners. This class will demystify the skew and show you how to avoid the dreaded run back. Proper sharpening and cutting geometry will be demonstrated and students will learn several basic skew cuts - roughing, peeling, planing, bead and cove cuts with the skew. The student will complete the class by turning a small tool handle with just the skew.

Porter Cable Dovetail Jig – CLS521

Tuesday, October 15, 6 PM - 9 PM

If you've put off cutting dovetails with your router because of the complicated set-up of dovetail jigs, wait no longer. Porter-Cable's 12″ dovetail jig will have you up and cutting dovetails in minutes. This course will show you how to set up and adjust your dovetail jig to create the half-blind dovetail joint quickly and easily. Bring your Porter Cable Dovetail Jig (4212 or 4216), a router, bushings & router bits.

Intro CNC - CLS851

Wednesday, October 16, 6 PM - 9 PM

Computer Numeric Control – CNC – is a system where a user can conceive & design a project, then let the computer controlled hardware produce it. This class will explore the fundamentals of CNC processing including terminology, concepts, processes & hardware systems. We will work through the basic work flow of manufacturing by CNC by exploring in detail the stages of: concept definition, design, engineering, machining and finish & assembly. Each of these stages will be demonstrated using a project of the student's interest with a goal of completing the finished piece if student load and time permit.

Hand Plane Basics - CLS046

Saturday, October 19, 10 AM - 5 PM

Learn the correct plane to use for the job at hand. Learn how to flatten and edge-joint a board using hand planes as well as how to approach different woods and reading the grain.

Sharpening - CLS035

Sunday, October 20, 2 PM - 5 PM

Students will start to learn the theory behind hand sharpening and then learn to do it with help from the instructor. Students are encouraged to bring any sharpening stones or equipment that they would like to learn to use. Students can also bring items to sharpen like: kitchen knives, scissors, woodworking tools and chisels, gardening tools, etc. When students finish the class, they will be able to sharpen these tools with confidence.

Sharpening Turning Tools - CLS066

Monday, October 21, 6 PM - 9 PM

A sharp tool is a turner's best friend. If you are having difficulty achieving smooth cuts and relying on scraping rather than cutting then this is the class for you. In this class you will learn a quick and easy way to repeatedly and consistently sharpen all of your wood turning tools using the Wolverine sharpening system on a slow speed grinder. The Varigrind jig will be demystified and you will be shown a simple method to sharpen all of your bowl and spindle gouges. Sharpening the spindle roughing gouge, skew, and scraper will also be discussed and demonstrated. Bring your turning tools - as many as you want to sharpen to practice your skills in class.

Resin Casting With Alumilite - CLS1012

Thursday, October 24, 6 PM - 9 PM

Learn to cast using two part resins to create knife scales, pen blanks or whatever your imagination can create! You will be learning how to create your own molds and will need to bring in a small object about golf ball size or smaller. You will see how all the smallest details will show up in your mold.

Date Night At Woodcraft - CLS670

Friday, November 1, 6 PM - 9 PM

Do you and your significant other want to learn basic wood working skills and have fun creating a one of a kind project together? We will provide materials, all you do is show up and be ready to make some saw dust. Projects will vary from month to month and will consist of small projects such as pens, bottle stoppers, bottle openers, picture holders, and wine bottle holders. Tuition fee is per couple.

Introduction To The Lathe - CLS238

Sunday, November 3, 10 AM - 5 PM

Tired of making things square and flat? Don't have room for all the equipment? Quench your woodworking desires through artistic turning. This class introduces you to the lathe, turning tools, sharpening and turning techniques. This class incorporates basic techniques to produce a candle stick.

River Cast Style Charcuterie Board - CLS1004

Part 1: Thursday, November 7, 6 PM - 9 PM

Part 2: Thursday, November 14, 6 PM - 9 PM

Create a beautiful 9"X16" Charcuterie board (cheese board) using a river casting technique with wood and resin. You will learn to minimize and eliminate air bubbles, build a mold, and mix color and resin. When cured, release the mold, sand and apply a finish that will make this a one of a kind Charcuterie board. Student will need to purchase a 4"X36" board of their choice. All other supplies are included.

Woodworking Fundamentals II - CLS612

Part 1: Saturday, November 9, 9:30 AM - 5 PM

Part 2: Sunday, November 10, 9:30 AM - 5 PM

Want to try woodworking but not sure where to start? Hundreds of people start here, where you'll "meet the shop"! We'll show you how to use most of the common hand and power tools in the modern woodworking shop. You will learn about taking rough wood into a finished piece using the planer, jointer, miter saw, router and tablesaw. The class project will be a Shaker-style table design and is a perfect blend of traditional joints and delicate lines. Learn mortise and tenon joinery, cutting tapered legs, and basic hand tool use of chisels and planes. Learn the fundamentals of woodworking and take home a hand crafted piece of furniture.

Woodworking Fundamentals I - CLS611

Saturday, November 16, 10 AM - 5 PM

Want to try woodworking but not sure where to start? Hundreds of people start here, where you'll "meet the shop"! We'll show you how to use most of the common hand and power tools in the modern woodworking shop as you build and finish a project you'll be proud to display in your home.

Beginning Pen Turning - CLS815

Tuesday, November 19, 6 PM - 9 PM

Wondering if turning is for you, but don't want to make a big investment to find out? We've got your answer when you learn to turn a beautiful wooden pen your first time on the lathe! What a great way to show off your new hobby with this great gift for family and friends!

Turn A Lidded Box - CLS904

Wednesday, November 20, 6 PM - 9 PM

Lidded boxes are small "Treasure Chests" that can be made in many shapes and sizes on a lathe. They have been made many ways over the years with different options and embellishments. In this class, Dave Robinson breaks lidded box building down to the simplest and fastest method to complete the project. We will explore some of the fancier options that students can take to the next level on their own such as threaded lids, metal, exotic wood, and stone powder inlays. By sticking to the basics and the easiest ways, students will go home with a finished lidded box at the end of this session. Skills developed in this class translate to making a pepper mill and turning a platter or a bowl.

End Grain Cutting Board - CLS650

Part 1: Sunday, November 24, 12 PM - 5 PM

Part 2: Monday, November 25, 6 PM - 9:30 PM

Part 3: Tuesday, November 26, 6 PM - 9:30 PM

The intent of this class is to learn the basic skills and underlying principles used to construct an end grain board. This can be a cutting board, cheese board, butcher block, etc. The class is in three sessions because there are two overnight glue ups required. Day 1 we will discuss why to construct something end grain; how to prevent cracking; types of wood to use (and not use); required tools and their safe use; how to layout the board; performing the initial preparation of the stock and first glue up. Day 2 consists of cleaning the board up, cutting and arranging it into the desired final pattern, and the second glue up. Day 3 will be the final clean up; trimming; final sanding; edge routing/sanding; a discussion on finishes and how to maintain the board.