Woodcraft of Downers Grove

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$175.00

Beginner/Intermediate

Mastering The Router Table

with Don Washow

Friday, November 21, 2025, 9:30 AM - 5 PM

Required Tools

This class starts off with a discussion on selecting equipment and safety procedures. It moves quickly to hands on experience. You will produce at least 8 different profile examples of popular router bits. Everyone is required to change bits and set up the table for edge routing. We will discuss different types of pattern routing then produce a part using a flush trim bit. Towards the end of the class day Don will demonstrate setting up the router table to make a raised panel door. By the end of the day you will be able to use your router table safely with confidence.

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$130.00

All Levels

Turning Some Gifts For The Holiday

with Mark Dreyer

Saturday, November 22, 2025, 9:30 AM - 2 PM

Required Tools

With the holiday season rapidly approaching, wouldn’t it be nice to make some handmade gifts for the family or when invited last minute to a friend’s house? In this class we will be exploring projects you can make for everyday use – a pizza cutter, an ice cream scoop, and an ornament, All three of these projects are great ways to hone your skill for small turning projects. We will explore material selection (wood vs. acrylics), blank preparation, function vs. turning skills, and finishing. The “gift giving” part will be on your own. It’s your “turn” to make some handmade gifts.

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$175.00

Intermediate/Advanced

Hand Cut Dovetails - Introduction to Hand Tool Skills

with Don Washow

Friday, December 5, 2025, 9:30 AM - 5 PM

Required Tools

In this class you will learn how to layout and hand cut, both through dovetails and mortise and tenons. Starting with the selection and design of joinery you will move quickly through layout process, and then learn to use traditional hand tools. You will learn how to use chisels and saws to pare, chop and cut to a line. At the end of the day you will have hand cut the through dovetail.

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$175.00

ALL

Furniture Design & Construction

with Don Washow

Friday, December 12, 2025, 9:30 AM - 5 PM

Required Tools

This highly informative class introduces you to selecting the project, design, sketching, architectural standards, shop drawings, full size drawings, models and templates. Don will also discuss wood selection, lay out, joinery, assembly and finishing. At the end of the day, you will have the basis for understanding the design and construction of fine furniture.

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$160.00

All Levels

The World Of Acrylic Pens

with Mark Dreyer

Saturday, January 17, 2026, 9:30 AM - 2 PM

Required Tools

In this class we will take a close look at the world of acrylic pens, and you will make your own blanks and turn your own pen. We will explore all the different types of “acrylics” on the market for pen makers. After an overview of the fundamentals of casting (products, techniques, getting rid of bubbles and coloring) and turning, you will be ready to cast your own Alumilite blank and make a pen. Due to the nature of casting and hardening, the pen will be made from a precast readily available blank. In this class you will be exposed to the basics of color casting, pen making, component selection, finishing and assembly. This is a great starter class for the pen maker and for someone interested in getting into the world of casting.

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$175.00

All Levels

Turning Peppermills

with Mark Dreyer

Saturday, January 24, 2026, 9:30 AM - 2 PM

Required Tools

In this class we will be turning two types of peppermills – a traditional grinder and a fun “antique style” crank peppermill. Together we will go over all the details and work as you make your own mills - wood selection, cutting and drilling your blanks, a surefire way to get the best match for the style and grain, finishing and assembly tricks and tips. With the holidays right around the corner this will be an heirloom gift or just something you will use every day. The first mill will be a small self-contained that uses a simple 3” x 3” blanks of any height. A great intro to turning or simply an intro to peppermills. For the second project we will be exploring the traditional two-piece grinding peppermill – a little more turning, some precision, and bigger wood canvas to work with. Come out and “take your turn” at turning a peppermills.