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North Bennet Street School



Carpentry

Introduction to SketchUp

$300

with Kolin Schmidt CF '21

Calendar May 9, 2026 at 8:30 am, runs for 1 week

Dates: Saturday, May 9th & Sunday, May 10th (2 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Kolin Schmidt CF '21

SketchUp is a program for creating 3D models for construction, woodworking, jewelry, and craft projects.  Some 3D Modeling software can be complicated, expensive, and impractical for many makers.  SketchUp is a great way to learn about 3D modeling and get to work quickly without wasting time or money on advanced software you don’t need.  In this class, students will learn the basics of navigating a 3D space, creating objects, and organizing a 3D model.  Time permitting, students will work through some more complex projects, as well.

Tools & Supplies: Please bring the following required supplies to the first day of class.

Required:

Recommended: 

  • Notebook and pen or pencil
  • A 3-button mouse (left, right, and a clickable scroll wheel) is highly recommended.

Attire: This is a general list of how to dress for the shop environment, please contact ce@nbss.edu if you have any questions.

  • Closed-toe, comfortable, and protective footwear (sneakers or boots)
  • No loose clothing
  • Long pants suggested
  • No loose jewelry
  • Long hair must be tied back

Prerequisite: None

Age Requirement: Students must be 18+ to attend adult CE classes. No one under 18 years old is permitted to register for an adult class, even if accompanied by a parent or guardian. 

Historic Timber Framing

$1,250

with Sophie Linnell PC '21

Calendar Jun 9, 2026 at 9 am, runs for 1 week

Dates: Tuesday, June 9 - Saturday, June 13 (5 meetings)

Hours: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Instructor: Sophie Linnell PC'21

Teaching Assistant: TBD

Price: $1,250 is the full cost of the class. A $150 deposit is due at the time of registration. Students will have the option to pay in full or pay over time with a weekly payment plan when registering for the class. The payment plan details will be shared during the registration process. 

In this course, students will reconstruct the historic Holten House Privy (ca 1750) using traditional mortise and tenon joinery. Students will learn the basics of reading architectural drawings to capture the key measurements needed to build the frame and solve for the curved hip-roof geometry using full scale drawings on the floor. Construction methods cover the use of traditional hand tools such as: chisels, mallets, T-handle Augers, hand- cranked boring machines, in addition to the sharpening techniques for these tools. The evolution of tooling will be discussed, and modern methodologies (such as chainsaw mortisers) will be demonstrated and utilized. Instructors will demonstrate how to layout and cut a mortise and tenon, how to layout and cut braces, and how to solve for the hipped roof rafters. Students will also have the opportunity to learn peg making with shaving horses and drawknives. As a result of taking this course, students will have the resources they need to design and build a small timber frame of their own.

The timber frame raising will take place on the final day of class, Saturday, June 13th as part of the Topsfield Historical Society’s 57th Annual Strawberry Festival. 

Location: Please note that this class will be held at the Topsfield Historical Society, 1 Howlett St, Topsfield, Massachusetts. 

  • The class will be held in the Gould Barn while utilizing the lawn and grounds for portions of the classwork.
  • The Gould Barn is wheelchair accessible with two single occupancy restrooms and a kitchenette available to students. 
  • Parking is available in the Topsfield Historical Society's gravel lot. No parking is allowed in the church parking lot next door. 

Tools & Supplies: All tools and supplies are provided for this class

Attire: This is a general list of how to dress for the shop environment, please contact ce@nbss.edu if you have any questions.

  • Steel-toed or composite work boots (NO SNEAKERS OR SANDALS)
  • No loose clothing
  • Long pants suggested
  • No loose jewelry
  • Long hair must be tied back

Prerequisite: None

Age Requirement: Students must be 18+ to attend adult CE classes. No one under 18 years old is permitted to register for an adult class, even if accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Payment plan available: $150 deposit plus 6 payments of $157.14, paid weekly. Final payment of $157.16.




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