Woodcraft of Virginia Beach / Norfolk

Resin & Wood Turning Class

Part 1: Thursday, March 26, 2026, 5 PM - 8 PM

Part 2: Thursday, April 16, 2026, 4 PM - 9 PM

This hands-on woodturning class introduces the creative fusion of wood and resin as students design and cast a 4-inch circular blank ready for the lathe. Participants will explore a variety of casting resins, learning the key differences between epoxy systems, cure times, clarity, hardness, and which formulations are best suited for artistic blanks versus structural pours. The session begins with casting fundamentals — selecting and preparing wood, sealing porous areas, mold setup, pigment and inclusion options, and proper mixing techniques to minimize bubbles and ensure a successful pour. Special emphasis will be placed on safe and effective use of pressure pots, demonstrating how controlled pressure improves clarity and reduces voids for professional-quality results. After curing, the class transitions to the lathe where students will true their blank and turn a small project from their custom pour. Instruction will cover tool selection, cutting techniques specific to resin-wood hybrids, sanding strategies, and finishing approaches that enhance chatoyance and depth.

Dovetails Decoded

Part 1: Saturday, April 11, 2026, 9 AM - 5 PM

Part 2: Sunday, April 12, 2026, 12 PM - 5 PM

Whether you're new to hand-cut joinery or have attempted dovetail joints in the past with mixed results, this class offers a practical approach to executing this time-honored joinery technique, regardless of skill level. During the course you will learn layout and marking as well as sawing and chiseling techniques which you will employ to cut both 'through' and 'half-blind' dovetails. There are numerous methods for creating these joints (with good results), but what works well for some may not work for others. In order to overcome this common problem, Ben will cover several different hand tool and technique options throughout the class which will allow for an individually tailored road map to success. By the end of this course you will have developed the confidence to tackle any project utilizing the dovetail joint

Making a Picture Frame

Sunday, April 12, 2026, 9 AM - 5 PM

Have you ever gone to one of those expensive framing shops and been taken back by the cost of a picture frame? Here is the opportunity to learn how to make your own frames and save money. The Picture Framing class will show you the basics for measuring and making your own picture frames. You will be shown how to use woodworking joinery that can be incorporated in your framing projects which are not only functional, but decorative as well. You will use the jointer and table saw to square stock, the table saw and the electric miter saw to cut mitered corners, and the router table to create assorted decorative profiles for your frames. Students will make the components for an 8" X 10" picture frame.