North Bennet Street School

Dates: Monday, September 15 - Tuesday, December 16
*Monday - Friday schedule / Class does not meet on holidays, at night, or on weekends
No Class: September 23rd, October 2nd and 13th, November 11th, 27th, and 28th

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 tools 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: $9,612 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. Note: General Registration and Cancellation Policies do not apply to this class. View more details on our CE FAQs page.