Woodcraft of Colorado Springs

Power Tool Fundamentals: Table Saw

Sunday, May 4, 10 AM - 4 PM

This is a basic instructional class directed at one of the most useful tools in the entire shop: the table saw. Students will learn basic table saw safety and operation in-depth. Step-by-step, we will walk you through table saw setup, essential personal safety, care and control of the saw, table saw anatomy, blade selection and proper installation, calibration, and how to safely get the most out of this valuable tool. We will be working specifically with the SawStop, and we'll learn the features specific to SawStop technology. However, the processes we cover apply to all table saws, and this class is for students who wish to learn about all table saws in general. Students will have hands-on experience in class as they apply the principles learned. This is not a project class, but rather a comprehensive master class on table saw essentials. These are small classes! Confirm your enrollment as soon as possible to ensure your spot in class. All Materials Are Included In The Cost Of Tuition.

Sharpening Mini Series: Kitchen & Pocket Knives

Saturday, May 10, 10 AM - 2 PM

Proper knife sharpening is a fine and skillful art that you can learn with mindful techniques and a few standard woodworking provisions: waterstones and a leather strop. Woodworkers typically reach for these things to sharpen chisels, plane irons, card scrapers, and the like. However, once you learn to flex these same provisions to sharpen your pocket and kitchen knives, you will dramatically improve your knife utility and culinary safety. You will also learn that each type of knife, each brand, and each shape is unique. You will learn to identify distinct sharpening nuances of many types of blades, differences between the most common waterstones, how and when to choose which one, and how to finely polish and skillfully dress your own knives, which you will bring to class. Also bring your sharpening stones, if you already own them, so that you can acclimate to your own set of tools. (Discounts will be offered to students who wish to purchase during class. However, you do not need to own sharpening stones! We will have stones to use in class.) Students will receive a leather strop to use in class and then take home. A variety of strop compounds will be used and discussed. NOTE: Bring knives that you're comfortable practicing on, because they will become scratched from the waterstones as you learn this technique! No serrated knives, please. All materials are included in the cost of tuition.

Woodworking II (Fine Furniture Series): Dovetail Wall Cabinet

Part 1: Saturday, May 17, 9 AM - 5 PM

Part 2: Sunday, May 18, 9 AM - 5 PM

Part 3: Saturday, May 24, 9 AM - 5 PM

This is a 3-day in-depth follow-up to Woodworking I. Students will build on their skills learned in Woodworking I as they apply it to the basics of furniture-style case construction, frame and panel construction, and inset door construction of fine furniture. Other topics covered will include machine-cut dovetail joinery, additional power and hand tools, and ongoing shop safety. Precision design and construction techniques are also covered. Each student will use these newly acquired skills to build their very own beautiful solid wood wall cabinet. Class size is extremely limited, so please confirm your spot early!! Some explanations and pointers on finishing will be discussed in this class, but the final finish will be up to the student. Students wishing to learn more about finishing are encouraged to enroll in our informative "Finishing Basics" lecture class here in our Colorado Springs store. NOTE: All materials are included in the tuition, and each student will take home their wall cabinets. In advance of the class, students will need to choose from the following selection of wood, depending on availability at the time of the class: Alder Ash Beech Birch Cherry Mahogany Maple (Non-Figured) Maple (Ambrosia) Oak (Red or White) Sapele Walnut (Black or Peruvian- ask if available) ALL WOOD CHOICES ARE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY AT THE TIME OF CLASS. The instructor will contact you a week or so in advance to discuss your wood choice. We STRONGLY encourage you to confirm your spot as soon as possible, as classes fill up fast and are only scheduled a few times throughout the year. We look forward to seeing you there! Please Wear Clothes Appropriate For The Wood Shop. This Includes No Loose Fitting Clothing Or Strings/ties (such As Hoodie Ties), Long Hair Tied Back, No Jewelry, Closed Toe Shoes.