3-Leg Stool Hand Tool Course
3-Leg Stool Hand Tool Course
Instructor: Craig Stevens
November 14 - December 19, 2024 6pm - 9pm (6 Thursday evenings) *no class on Thanksgiving or Dec. 26th. We’ll be scheduling the stool class again in 2025
*Rather than have the final week of the class conflict with Christmas, participants will help determine the date of the last evening once the class is underway as a group. December 19th is the 5th week of the 6 week class. Depending on what works for the participants, there may be 2 classes in one week prior to the holidays or the final class may take place after the new year. We'll be sure to make the last class work for everyone
Explore the essential fundamentals of working with hand tools while creating a beautiful 3-leg stool with a free-form seat. The stool, echoing the fluid style of Wharton Esherick’s famous design, is a satisfying project that covers several fundamental handtool techniques that will be discussed in detail. The splayed legs and hand-shaped seat create a light, strong, and comfortable stool.
In the past, PFW has offered this project class as a woodturning class. We’re now offering the class as a hand tool project instead. Students will use simple workbench jigs for holding the legs and rungs while shaping and sizing using cutting tools, such as spokeshaves and hand planes. The legs and rungs will be hand-planed round or nearly round with subtle facets; this is a challenging but achievable alternative to the lathe. The free-form seat will be shaped by hand with travishers and spokeshaves.
While this is a hand-tool-focused class, they will not be used exclusively. We’ll use the bandsaw to cut the seat, power tenon cutters to cut the tenons, and cordless drills and/or the drill press for the mortises.
Cost includes all materials. The stool measures approximately 24” tall.