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North Bennet Street School

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Woodworking

Flat Edge Tool Sharpening

$200

with Brad Wolcott CF '12

Calendar Apr 12, 2026 at 8:30 am, runs for 1 week

Dates: Sunday, April 12th

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Brad Wolcott CF'12

This one-day seminar presents the theory and practice of hollow grinding and honing flat-edge tools. Students will work on chisels and card scrapers. Hand planes will be covered as time permits. The techniques covered in class apply to other tools as well. Students can expect to sharpen two or three chisels/tools during this session.

Tools & Supplies: Please bring your own chisels, card scraper, and hand plane. We suggest a 1" and 3/4" chisel as good sizes to start with. 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

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. 

Advanced Bowl Turning

$445

with Rick Angus

Calendar Apr 25, 2026 at 8:30 am, runs for 1 week

Dates: Saturday, April 25th & Sunday, April 26th (2 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Rick Angus

In this class, students will focus on making a deeper bowl. We review fundamental gouge and scraper cutting techniques, leaving a smooth, accurate surface in their work. You rely on using the bevel gracefully to guide the knife edge along a smooth curve and are reminded why this technique allows such smooth tool control. Any surface imperfections are smoothed with a scraper. Two kinds of wood will be used: a 3” thick piece of kiln-dried lumber and a recently cut (wet) piece of local timber 4 to 6” thick. Both pieces will be turned between centers, and each of us will mount and remount our blanks to make the best use of the grain pattern in the finished bowl. Using a scroll chuck, we remount the blank and turn the rim and inside of the bowl. Lastly, we grip the bowl by the rim in a jamchuck and finish the foot. Since the wet blank will distort to an oval when drying, we will choose a style that works well in this shape. 

Tools & Supplies: *There is an additional $50.00 material fee due to the instructor on the first day of class. The instructor accepts cash or checks. All other tools and supplies will be 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: Fundamental Techniques in Bowl Turning or equivalent experience (at instructor's discretion). If you have questions about prerequisite requirements, please email ce@nbss.edu.

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. 

Chip Carving

$520

with Jeff Fleisher

Calendar Apr 25, 2026 at 9 am, runs for 1 week

Dates: Saturday, April 25th & Sunday, April 26th (2 meetings)

Hours: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Instructor: Jeff Fleisher

Chip carving is a decorative form of carving used to enhance a piece of furniture or a small object like a jewelry box, by incising a pattern or design directly into the surface of the wood.  The two-day workshop covers a brief history of chip carving, the chip carving knife and how to sharpen it, layout and design, along with carving and finishing techniques.

Tools & Supplies: Please bring items from this supply list to the first day of 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

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. 

Danish Modern Plant Stand

$225

with Rachel Prentki CF '18

Calendar Apr 26, 2026 at 9 am, runs for 1 week

Date: Sunday, April 26th

Hours: 9:00 am - 4:00 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

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. 

Fundamentals of Machine Woodworking

$1,150

with Dan Weissman CF '20

Calendar May 3, 2026 at 9 am, runs for 5 weeks

Dates: Sundays, May 3 - 31 (5 meetings)

Hours: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Instructor: Dan Weissman CF '20

Teaching Assistant: Stephen Thrasher

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the safety, setup, and use of some of the most common woodworking machines. This class is suitable for both beginners looking to jump-start a hobby in woodworking and intermediate/advanced students looking to refresh their skills. Students learn to perform basic machine procedures while gaining the confidence to undertake more complicated operations. We cover the use of the planer, jointer, table saw, radial arm saw, bandsaw, and additional machines as time allows. Each student is given the chance to install and set blades on each machine, along with the necessary fences, guides, and fixtures. Proper techniques for operating each machine safely and for recognizing potentially dangerous situations are emphasized. Each student completes a box with a sliding lid, beginning with milling rough lumber. This course focuses on machine work. Check out our Fundamentals of Fine Woodworking class if you are looking to work at the bench and improve your hand skills. 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: 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

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. 

Shaker Tripod Table

$1,100

with Steve Brown CF '90

Calendar May 4, 2026 at 9 am, runs for 1 week

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

Hours: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Instructor: Steve Brown CF'90

Teaching Assistant: Alana Schwartz CF'25

Often referred to as a “Candle-stand,” this Shaker design is one of the simplest versions of the classic tripod table form. Students will turn the column on the lathe and join the graceful S-curved legs to the column’s base. The circular top is attached by tenoning the column into a batten, which is screwed to the top. The top’s edge will be molded with a subtle profile, created with a router. Students will be using both hand and power tool techniques.

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

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. 

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. 

Introduction to Dovetails

$300

with Rachel Prentki CF '18

Calendar May 16, 2026 at 8:30 am, runs for 1 week

Dates: Saturday May 16th & Sunday May 17th (2 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 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

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. 





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