Woodcraft of Roanoke

Building a Traditional Pegged Stool

Part 1: Thursday, July 24, 9 AM - 5 PM

Part 2: Thursday, October 23, 9 AM - 5 PM

Join us for an immersive two-day woodworking workshop where we will build a classic low-height pegged stool, an early furniture form that dates back centuries. Traditional stools, commonly found in medieval households and early European homes, are characterized by their robust, mortise-and-tenon construction and simple yet elegant design. Students will gain hands-on experience using traditional hand tools such as hand planes, chisels, handsaws, and marking tools. While also incorporating modern efficiency with table saws, router tables, and tapering jigs. This class also introduces the precursor of chair-making concepts, including resultant angles, splay, and rake—fundamental skills for advancing into Windsor chairs or other post-and-rung furniture styles. At the end of the class, you’ll leave with your own handmade stool and a deeper appreciation for historical woodworking techniques!

Tile Top Box Making

Part 1: Saturday, September 20, 9 AM - 5 PM

Part 2: Sunday, September 21, 9 AM - 5 PM

This two-day (16 hour) course teaches the fundamentals of box making. The student will learn how to use the table saw, router table, scroll saw, bandsaw, crosscut miter and spline jigs, planer, sanders, flush cut saws, and clamping techniques to create an heirloom quality keepsake box with a six-inch square ceramic tile imbedded in the top. We will use exotic and domestic woods chosen to match the floral tile design as well as brass hinges to accent the overall look of the finished box. Topics covered in this class include miter joints, slot cutting, design considerations, precision measuring and marking, spline cutting, gluing and clamping, and finishing products and techniques. A selection of tiles will be available for the student to choose from and the end product will be a keepsake box similar to those in the course advertising and made by the instructor. Prior experience with tools mentioned above is helpful but not required. You can expect ample one on one time with the instructor throughout the two-day course.

Router Essentials - Full Day Workshop

Thursday, September 25, 9 AM - 5 PM

Routers are one of the most versatile and essential tools in woodworking. Whether shaping edges, cutting joinery, or making intricate designs, routers open up a world of creative possibilities. This full-day hands-on workshop will cover everything you need to know about both handheld routers and router tables, from basic operations to important tips and techniques. Students will learn how to safely and efficiently use routers for edge profiling, dadoes, rabbets, mortises, template work, and joinery. We will explore bit selection, feed direction, router setup, and safety protocols. By the end of the class, participants will have hands-on experience with both freehand and routing table. You will work with a variety of samples and small projects to help reinforce your learning.