The dovetail joint is one of the strongest and most beautiful techniques in woodworking. Join SBWI alumni Jaime Marvin as she demystifies how to make dovetails completely by hand. Students will learn how to properly use layout tools, chisels and handsaws. The first day will be spent cutting dovetails and pins and the second day […]
The key to using hand tools correctly is a sharp edge - learn how the masters make it look so easy. Join expert woodworker and machinist Bob Goppold for a one day workshop on sharpening hand planes and chisels. Learn the physical properties of tools, how to know when a blade needs sharpening, and several […]
Join North Bennet Street School’s Teen Craft & Trade Intensives during the February and April 2026 school breaks! Designed for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors (ages 15-18), these week-long programs offer an exciting introduction to hands-on trades and crafts in a supportive, small-class setting. Instructor: Kolin Schmidt CF ’21 Teaching Assistant: TBD Class Description: In this week-long […]
This course will give students a foundational education in timber framing while they work as a group to build and complete a timber frame pavilion. Students will gain an understanding of the materials, tools and safety standards used in the timber framing industry. Students will receive hands-on experience laying out, cutting, and assembling traditional joinery. […]
Step into the world of round log timber framing, where the beauty of natural wood meets the precision of traditional joinery. Unlike conventional timber framing, this unique craft replaces square-sawn timbers with carefully de-barked logs, preserving their organic shape while integrating the structural integrity of timber frame joinery. The result is a striking hybrid of […]
We will learn a variety of joints, their strengths and weaknesses, and how to implement them into furniture making and design. This class will explore the art and technique of wood joinery, while focusing on hand tool techniques. At the end of class, students will leave with a small decorative box showcasing their new joinery […]
Step back in time and learn the art of window and door construction in this immersive 5-day course. This class will guide students through the transformation of Eastern White Pine boards into simple, historically accurate window sash and doors. Students will learn appropriate historical restoration methods along with window sash repair and reuse. The class will also […]
Step into the world of traditional craftsmanship in this Hand Tool Timber Framing class. In this immersive 6-day class, students will build a full-size cabin inspired by Henry David Thoreau’s famous cabin at Walden Pond, gaining firsthand experience in the fundamentals of timber framing—all using hand tools. This course focuses on working with hewn timber […]