Dates: Saturday, July 26th & Sunday, July 27th (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:

• Any version of SketchUp, ensure you don’t start your free trial period before the class start date.
• A laptop or Chromebook that meets the minimum requirements to run SketchUp
• Your laptop or Chromebook’s power cord

Recommended: 

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

 Prerequisite: None

Dates: Saturday, July 26th & Sunday, July 27th (2 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Kevin Hopkins CF '18

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.

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

Dates: Monday - Friday, July 28 - August 8 (10 meetings, class does not meet over the weekend)

Hours: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Instructor: Rachel Prentki CF '18

Teaching Assistant: Haniel Wides CF'24

This comprehensive course builds foundational hand skills that are essential to completing many fine woodworking projects. The class is suitable for both beginners looking to jump-start a hobby in woodworking and intermediate/advanced students looking to refresh their skills. Topics include sharpening, tuning, and the use of basic hand tools, including paring chisels, hand planes, dovetail saws, card scrapers, and marking gauges; characteristics of wood and wood movement in furniture making; and cutting dovetails and mortise and tenon joinery using flat and square reference surfaces. Demonstrations and exercises develop skills such as chopping and paring with a chisel and hand planning. Traditional cabinet-making practices are explained throughout the course, and instructors emphasize how these methods can be used systematically in any woodworking project. Each student will complete a box with a sliding lid. This course focuses on handwork at the bench. Check out our Fundamentals of Machine Woodworking class if you are looking to learn more about machines. Many students take both classes. If you are just looking to get your feet wet in the shop, check out our Woodworking 101 class.

Tools & Supplies: Please bring the items on this supply list to the first day of class.​ Need an item? Our NBSS Store/Gallery carries dozens of tools and supplies in addition to NBSS branded items and handmade goods. You may make purchases online, in person (Monday-Thursday 7:30 am - 2:00 pm), or via email at store@nbss.edu. Tool orders must be made via email or over the phone.

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

Dates: Saturday, August 2nd & Sunday, August 3rd (2 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Haniel Wides 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.

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

Date: Saturday, August 2nd

Hours: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Instructor: Kolin Schmidt CF '21

In this class, students will learn how to start incorporating Layout into their CAD/SketchUp workflow. Layout is an included extension with the purchase of the modeling software SketchUp. Layout's purpose is to enable making documentation from your models. These documents can be used for building, client presentation, and work collaboration.  From full home blueprints to simple project organization, builders, makers, and hobbyists of all skill levels can benefit from producing clear and precise project plans.

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

Required:

• SketchUp Pro - Layout is included in the purchase of SU Pro. Students can use the 30-day free trial, but ensure you don’t start your free trial period before the class start date
• A laptop or Chromebook that meets the minimum requirements to run SketchUp
• Your laptop or Chromebook’s power cord

Recommended: 

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

Prerequisite: None

Dates: Monday, August 4 - Friday, August 8 (5 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Andy Glenn CF '08

Teaching Assistant: Juliana Heck CF '24

In this five-day class, students will build a fan back Windsor chair.  We'll knock the crest and spindles out of a red oak log before shaping the parts on the shave horse. We'll then steam bend the comb and put the spindles in the kiln to dry.  The pine seat is sculpted by using a scorp, travisher, and spokeshaves to achieve its comfortable shape. Once all the parts are made, the lower frame is assembled before drilling and fitting the upper. Our goal is to have the chair together on Friday afternoon.  Finish prep and painting will happen after class (Andy will demonstrate and discuss finishing techniques). Windsor chairs are most frequently painted.  

Note: Turnings (legs, stretchers, and stiles) are provided. We will not turn them during our class; 5-days simply isn't enough time to add turning to the mix.

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: All levels are welcome; previous chairmaking experience is helpful but not necessary.

Date: Saturday, August 9th

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Kevin Hopkins CF '18

The bellflower inlay is a common decorative motif found in furniture of the Federal period (roughly 1780 - 1820).  In this class, students will learn how to sand shade and inlay a traditional bellflower. 

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: Students should feel comfortable using sharp tools. 

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

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Haniel Wides CF '24

In this two-day class, students will make a wooden bunny rocker, an age-old toy that makes a cute and entertaining gift. Students will bandsaw parts from supplied patterns, drill holes for the bunny's hinging actions, clean up and decorate the parts, and fine tune the walking action. 

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.