Chairmaking classes

Hoop Back Chair
Some people call this a balloon back, I've just always called it a hoop back. Either way, it's an ambitious bend and runs through all the finer points of green wood working. 

​March 17 - 22
Democratic Chair
Build a Democratic side chair designed by Curtis Buchanan. Get well acquainted with the drawknife and scorp!

April 20 - 25

Additional class options
Comb Back
We'll cover all the basics of Windsor chairmaking with the added bonus of carving knuckles and volutes! Greenwood working and carving experience recommended.
Curved Leg Stool
Focus on undercarriage joinery and carving while making stools originally designed by Pete Galbert. I have all the tools you need for spoon carving while curved parts set!
Fan Back Side Chair
Construct a fan back side chair for your living space. This course offers a well rounded exposure to all things Windsor Chair. Great for beginners or for fine tuning your skillset.
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​Continuous Arm Rocker
My personal favorite chair for sitting. We'll steam bend a 60" arm bow and learn how to fit rockers so you can take home your own comfy rocking chair.

Course outline

During my chair making classes, we'll cover splitting and riving, wet-dry joinery, basic wood technology and much more, as you create an heirloom quality Windsor chair.
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Materials, instruction and use of all applicable hand tools included. The basic outline is as follows and can be tailored to student strengths and areas for growth and learning.
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  • Day 1 -- splitting and riving, spindles and bow. Lots of draw knife work on the shave horse and steam bending the bow.
  • Day 2 -- seat layout and mortise boring. Leg joinery, stretcher measurements. Arm support joinery and measurements. Start carving the seat.
  • Day 3 -- Finish carving the seat and leg up. Clean up the arm.
  • Day 4 -- Bore mortices and ream to get the arm set. Clean up tenons to prep for assembly.
  • Day 5 -- Fit spindles and prep for glue up!
  • Day 6 -- Glue up on day 5 or day 6, depending on progress. If glue up is on day 5, the final day can be spent on prepping for paint. 
Students take home a piece ready for finishing. I finish my chairs and stools using Real Milk Paint Co. products. You can use coupon code Jack10 for 10% off their finishing products.
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Register for classes

Contact me to schedule or register for a chair making class or 3-day perch making class in my shop in Northwest Connecticut.
  • Chair classes are limited to 3 students at this time.
  • 6 day chair classes cost $1500.
  • ​3 day perch classes cost $600.

​A non-refundable $250 deposit will hold your spot. To sign up, email [email protected].
​I can accept payment via Venmo, PayPal, or check. 

For those traveling from a distance, please see this list of options for nearby accommodations. 

Intro to Slöjd: Greenwood spoon carving

Join me for a weekend of hands-on whittling lessons. Learn the basics of wood structure and traditional knife grips in a casual, supportive setting, while you produce your own butter paddle and spoon(s). Tools and materials will be provided. 

$300 all materials and tools provided
"The perch class was a game changer for me that increased my confidence and interest in chair making ten fold. Andy is a knowledgeable, patient instructor who is certainly a leader in the craft willing and able to share all the tricks of the trade. My only complaint was that I don't live several hours closer and will have to wait to have more time to take another class. Great job Andy - I'll be back!"​ - Tom
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"I took a six-day instruction from Andy, building the democratic chair. It was a wonderful, fulfilling, useful and joy filled experience.  Between riving the wood, shave-horsing the chair elements, scorping the seat, drilling and shaping the mortises and gluing the whole thing up, in only 6 days, it was a beautiful and meaningful experience." - Peter
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"I can't thank you enough for making this dream a reality - for your patient and thorough instruction, flexible scheduling, excellence, and all the rest... I'm thinking it might be good to come back for another week with you at some point this year, if you'd be open to that. Not sure what form I'd like to tackle next..." - Daniel

I am offering personalized, virtual chairmaking skills workshops!

So, you went and made a chair in a class and you got home to your own shop and realized you didn't take the notes you needed...

Fill in the blanks with me virtually, one-on-one. I can answer, demonstrate and troubleshoot your specific questions and help you craft a chair in the comfort of your own space. 

Build confidence on your schedule, in your space, and target the skills that you want to hone to construct your own Windsor chair.

Every session is catered to individual student needs. Possible topics include:
  • Layout
  • Flattening and carving the seat
  • Angled drilling and reaming
  • Splitting and shaving
  • Bending
  • Shaping spindles
  • Joinery

The price is $100/hour. I can accept payment via Venmo, PayPal or check. Contact me to schedule.