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North Bennet Street School

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Woodworking

Woodworking 101

$297

with Stephen Thrasher

Calendar Jun 3, 2025 at 6 pm, runs for 2 weeks

Dates: Tuesdays & Thursdays, June 3-12 (4 meetings)

Hours: 6:00 - 9:30 pm

Instructor: Stephen Thrasher

Teaching Assistant: Rachel Prentki CF '18

Interested in woodworking and looking for a way to get started? This introductory course is designed to give beginner students an overview of shop safety as well as some of the most common machines and hand tools used in woodworking. We work towards the completion of a small project while building basic skills and getting comfortable with machinery and working at the bench. This class is geared toward beginners looking to get a peek into woodworking. For more in-depth skill-building, check out our Fundamentals of Fine Woodworking and Fundamentals of Machine Woodworking classes. Many students choose to take Woodworking 101 before a Fundamentals class, but it is not required. 

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.

  • 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

Full Course

Finishing 101

$350

with Brad Wolcott CF '12

Calendar Jun 7, 2025 at 8:30 am, runs for 1 week

Dates: Saturday, June 7th & Sunday, June 8th (2 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructors: Brad Wolcott CF '12

This two-day workshop covers the finishing of furniture in a manner that is consistent with the period of design, including proper coloring using various types of stains, dyes, and glazes. Different types of top coats are discussed, demonstrated and applied, including shellac, oils and varnish. Color theory and the layering of stains and dyes are used to bring out the depth and beauty of the piece. Students will leave with the ability to choose and apply the appropriate finish to complete the work they have made.

Tools & Supplies: Please bring a card scraper to the first day of class. All other 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.

  • 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

Full Course

Woodworking 101

$297

with Juliana Heck CF ’24

Calendar Jun 7, 2025 at 8:30 am, runs for 1 week

Dates: Saturday, June 7th & Sunday, June 8th (2 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Juliana Heck CF '24

Teaching Assistant: TBA

Interested in woodworking and looking for a way to get started? This introductory course is designed to give beginner students an overview of shop safety as well as some of the most common machines and hand tools used in woodworking. We work towards the completion of a small project while building basic skills and getting comfortable with machinery and working at the bench. This class is geared toward beginners looking to get a peek into woodworking. For more in-depth skill-building, check out our Fundamentals of Fine Woodworking and Fundamentals of Machine Woodworking classes. Many students choose to take Woodworking 101 before a Fundamentals class, but it is not required. 

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

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

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

Prerequisite: None

Danish Modern Plant Stand

$222

with Rachel Prentki CF '18

Calendar Jun 15, 2025 at 8:30 am, runs for 1 week

Date: Sunday, June 15th

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Rachel Prentki CF '18

This one-day class introduces students to mortise & tenon joinery and the lap joint, which are traditional furniture making techniques. This class is a great way to familiarize yourself with woodworking and is perfect for those who are curious about the craft. The students will use the table saw, mortiser, and router to construct the plant stand and learn basic skills. The plant stand is designed to fit a 10-inch diameter by 10-inch high planter. The plastic planter and wood will be supplied in class.

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. 

  • 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

Full Course

Woodworking 101

$297

with Juliana Heck CF ’24

Calendar Jun 21, 2025 at 8:30 am, runs for 1 week

Dates: Saturday, June 21st & Sunday, June 22nd (2 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Juliana Heck CF '24

Teaching Assistant: TBA

Interested in woodworking and looking for a way to get started? This introductory course is designed to give beginner students an overview of shop safety as well as some of the most common machines and hand tools used in woodworking. We work towards the completion of a small project while building basic skills and getting comfortable with machinery and working at the bench. This class is geared toward beginners looking to get a peek into woodworking. For more in-depth skill-building, check out our Fundamentals of Fine Woodworking and Fundamentals of Machine Woodworking classes. Many students choose to take Woodworking 101 before a Fundamentals class, but it is not required. 

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

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

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

Prerequisite: None

Full Course

Build a Mountain Banjo

$1,040

with Oliver Strand

Calendar Jun 23, 2025 at 8:30 am, runs for 1 week

Dates: Monday, June 23 - Friday, June 27 (5 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Oliver Strand

A mountain banjo, in the style of Frank Proffitt, is a musical instrument you can build with basic woodworking skills and tools. These homemade, fretless banjos have a unique and wild sound that factory instruments just can't match! We'll carve the neck, construct the rim assembly and tone ring, and fit the instrument with a hand-carved bridge, nut, and pegs. Advanced students can incorporate relief carving to decorate the neck, peghead, and rim. The final class will include a banjo lesson! 

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. 

  • 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

Introduction to Cabinets

$1,300

with Andy Draper CA '23

Calendar Jun 23, 2025 at 9 am, runs for 1 week

Dates: Monday, June 23 - Friday, June 27 (5 meetings)

Hours: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Instructor: Andy Draper CA '23

Teaching Assistant: Gavin Dover CA '24

The cabinet class will cover the planning, designing, building, and installation of standard kitchen inset style cabinets. This course will provide the understanding needed to build various other types of cabinets. Students will break down and mill the plywood needed to assemble the cabinet boxes. Using pre-milled stock, students will assemble the face frame and doors and install door and drawer hardware for these lower cabinets before scribing and installation.

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.

  • 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: A previous woodworking or carpentry class at NBSS or equivalent experience with permission from the instructor. If you have questions about your experience, please contact ce@nbss.edu. 

Introduction to Dovetails

$297

with Rachel Prentki CF '18

Calendar Jun 24, 2025 at 6 pm, runs for 2 weeks

Dates: Tuesdays & Thursdays, June 24 - July 3 (4 meetings)

Hours: 6:00 - 9:30 pm

Instructor: Rachel Prentki CF '18

Learn to cut crisp and accurate dovetails. Dovetails are one of the strongest and oldest types of joinery; they are useful for building boxes and furniture. Students will learn to cut both through and Half-Blind Dovetails by hand. They will learn to use chisels, marking gauges, saws, and mallets to cut the joinery. It's helpful for students to have some woodworking experience, but not necessary. Good dexterity and a good eye will help those without much woodworking experience.

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. 

  • 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

Full Course




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