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Woodworking
Woodworking 101
with Dan Weissman CF '20
Dates: Saturday, August 22nd & Sunday, August 23rd (2 meetings)
Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Instructor: Dan Weissman CF '20
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 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: None
Age Requirement: Students must be 18+ by the class start date 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.
Please Note: North Bennet Street School will be undergoing exterior construction this summer, which may cause occasional noise or temporary changes to building access.
Grand Rocker
with Andy Glenn CF '08
Dates: Monday, August 24 - Sunday, August 30 (7 meetings)
Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Instructor: Andy Glenn CF '08
Price: $1,750 is the full cost of the class. A $225 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.
Over seven days, we'll shape and create a greenwood rocking chair using hand tools. We'll shave our parts at the shave horse and bend red oak in the making of a comfortable rocker. We'll make 5- or 6- slats for the back, and on the final day, we'll weave in a flat reed seat.
Tools & Supplies: All 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: All levels are welcome; some familiarity with hand tools is helpful, but not necessary. If you have any questions about your experience, please contact ce@nbss.edu.
Age Requirement: Students must be 18+ by the class start date 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.
Please Note: North Bennet Street School will be undergoing exterior construction this summer, which may cause occasional noise or temporary changes to building access.
Dovetail Tray
with Rachel Prentki CF '18
Dates: Saturday, August 29th - Monday, August 31st (3 meetings)
Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Instructor: Rachel Prentki CF '18
Hone your chisel skills while making a stately dovetailed tray. In this class, students will learn how to lay out and cut dovetails accurately by hand. We will cover how to use marking gauges, chisels, saws, and mallets to create strong and beautiful joinery while also covering how to avoid or fix common mistakes.
Tools & Supplies: All 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: Experience with dovetails or other hand-cut joinery helpful but students at all experience levels are welcome.
Age Requirement: Students must be 18+ by the class start date 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.
Please Note: North Bennet Street School will be undergoing exterior construction this summer, which may cause occasional noise or temporary changes to building access.
Three-Month Furniture Making Intensive
with Eli Cleveland CF ’09
Dates: Monday, September 14 - Friday, December 11, 2026
*Monday - Friday schedule / Class does not meet on holidays, at night, or on weekends
No Class: September 21, October 12, November 11, 26th, and 27
Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Instructor: Eli Cleveland CF '09
*With additional guest instructors
Overview: Build a solid foundation in the most essential woodworking skills with this in-depth, comprehensive furniture-making course designed for both beginners and those looking to build expertise. This intensive class will guide you from basic hand and machine skills to advanced techniques in furniture making. Through a series of demonstrations and exercises, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills to build most tables and case pieces. Complete a number of small projects before moving on to building a shaker nightstand and a cabinet on stand. This class is suitable for beginners to lifelong, enthusiastic hobbyists and everyone in between. For those who wish to apply to one of our Career Training programs and who don’t have much prior woodworking experience, this course provides prerequisite skill-building.
These major topics are covered throughout the course:
- Tool sharpening (flat-edge tools)
- Hand tool skills and development
- Joinery (various mortise and tenon & dovetail joints as well as compound joinery)
- Machine room safety, machine set-up, and procedures
- Lumberyard trip (measuring for and selecting the correct lumber for a project)
- Turning (spindle and faceplate)
- Veneering
- Case and table construction
- Finishing
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
Technical Standards: Though this is an introductory course, the nature and length of the instruction require that students meet these Technical Standards. For any questions about your ability to meet these standards, please contact ce@nbss.edu.
Prerequisite: None
Veterans: Qualifying veterans may use VA benefits, including the Post 9/11 GI Bill® or Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E) benefits, to cover the tuition for this course. Withdrawal from the course may impact VA housing benefits for those receiving them. To express interest in using VA benefits for the Three-Month Furniture Making Intensive, please send an email to ce@nbss.edu including the following information.
- Full Name
- Address
- Phone #
- Email Address
- A current Certificate of Eligibility / Apply for your benefits here: https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/
Price: $9,725 is the full cost of the class. A $950 non-refundable, non-transferable deposit is due at the time of registration. Students will have the option to pay in full or pay over time with a payment plan when registering for the program. The payment plan available will be listed at the bottom of the class listing.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
- Cancellation requests received at least 60 days before the program start date will receive a full refund minus the non-refundable deposit and a 5.5% cancellation fee
- Cancellation requests received 31-59 days before the program start date will receive a 75% refund minus the non-refundable deposit and a 5.5% cancellation fee
- Cancellation requests received less than 30 days before the program start date will receive a 50% refund minus the non-refundable deposit and a 5.5% cancellation fee.
- Once class is in session, NBSS does not offer refunds or make-up class sessions for missed classes due to student circumstances, including illness, travel, and family or work commitments.
- NBSS reserves the right to withdraw a student from the class due to attendance or interpersonal issues.
-
If enrollment does not meet 50% capacity by one month before the class starts, NBSS may choose to cancel the session. In this case, students who are registered will receive full tuition refunds (only), including their deposits. Note: NBSS is not responsible for any charges related to tools, travel, accommodations, or other non-tuition expenses.
Three-Month Furniture Making Intensive
with Eli Cleveland CF ’09
Dates: Tuesday, January 19 - Thursday, April 15, 2027
*Monday - Friday schedule / Class does not meet on holidays, at night, or on weekends
No Class: February 15, March 17, and March 26
Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Instructor: Eli Cleveland CF '09
*With additional guest instructors
Overview: Build a solid foundation in the most essential woodworking skills with this in-depth, comprehensive furniture-making course designed for both beginners and those looking to build expertise. This intensive class will guide you from basic hand and machine skills to advanced techniques in furniture making. Through a series of demonstrations and exercises, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills to build most tables and case pieces. Complete a number of small projects before moving on to building a shaker nightstand and a cabinet on stand. This class is suitable for beginners to lifelong, enthusiastic hobbyists and everyone in between. For those who wish to apply to one of our Career Training programs and who don’t have much prior woodworking experience, this course provides prerequisite skill-building.
These major topics are covered throughout the course:
- Tool sharpening (flat-edge tools)
- Hand tool skills and development
- Joinery (various mortise and tenon & dovetail joints as well as compound joinery)
- Machine room safety, machine set-up, and procedures
- Lumberyard trip (measuring for and selecting the correct lumber for a project)
- Turning (spindle and faceplate)
- Veneering
- Case and table construction
- Finishing
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
Technical Standards: Though this is an introductory course, the nature and length of the instruction require that students meet these Technical Standards. For any questions about your ability to meet these standards, please contact ce@nbss.edu.
Prerequisite: None
Veterans: Qualifying veterans may use VA benefits, including the Post 9/11 GI Bill® or Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E) benefits, to cover the tuition for this course. Withdrawal from the course may impact VA housing benefits for those receiving them. To express interest in using VA benefits for the Three-Month Furniture Making Intensive, please send an email to ce@nbss.edu including the following information.
- Full Name
- Address
- Phone #
- Email Address
- A current Certificate of Eligibility / Apply for your benefits here: https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/
Price: $9,725 is the full cost of the class. A $950 non-refundable, non-transferable deposit is due at the time of registration. Students will have the option to pay in full or pay over time with a payment plan when registering for the program. The payment plan available will be listed at the bottom of the class listing.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
- Cancellation requests received at least 60 days before the program start date will receive a full refund minus the non-refundable deposit and a 5.5% cancellation fee
- Cancellation requests received 31-59 days before the program start date will receive a 75% refund minus the non-refundable deposit and a 5.5% cancellation fee
- Cancellation requests received less than 30 days before the program start date will receive a 50% refund minus the non-refundable deposit and a 5.5% cancellation fee.
- Once class is in session, NBSS does not offer refunds or make-up class sessions for missed classes due to student circumstances, including illness, travel, and family or work commitments.
-
NBSS reserves the right to withdraw a student from the class due to attendance or interpersonal issues.
-
If enrollment does not meet 50% capacity by one month before the class starts, NBSS may choose to cancel the session. In this case, students who are registered will receive full tuition refunds (only), including their deposits. Note: NBSS is not responsible for any charges related to tools, travel, accommodations, or other non-tuition expenses.