Instructor: Craig Stevens

• This class is currently not scheduled. Please email us if you’re interested in this class to help us determine when to schedule it again.

The late George Nakashima’s tables can be found in homes, galleries, and museums around the world. His unique designs are unmistakable; often featuring gorgeous book-matched slab tops and highlighted with his signature dovetail or butterfly keys. PFW’s design was inspired by the timeless beauty of George Nakashima’s furniture.

Our coffee table design (typically approx. 24”w x 44” long x 16” h) makes the best use of locally available slab sawn wood. This is sometimes curly or ambrosia maple, cherry, or walnut.  If needed, we accent the plank with one or more dovetail keys. Each student then designs his or her own base, with our assistance. There are many possibilities.

The 5 day class will begin with a discussion of flitch sawn wood. Students will then explore the outline, color, grain patterns, and arrangement of their top board or boards in order to create the most interesting way to showcase the wood to its best advantage.

Once the top boards are milled and joined, students will carefully inlay any needed dovetails keys using a router and hand tools and then complete the fit with razor-sharp chisels. The base is constructed of 8/4 stock, carefully joined to provide a strong and solid platform for the top.

The construction of this project will be a thorough and thoughtful introduction to important furniture-making skills, including: wood selection, re-sawing, milling and gluing up, inlays, and complex joinery. The table is a very satisfying project, aimed at increasing participants design and woodworking skills while making a unique furniture piece that is sure to be enjoyed for years to come.

The course fee is $800. PFW will locate live edge planks of the desired quality and sizes for the course. In recent years, this has become increasingly difficult. The cost of materials will not be known until closer to the class date. Recently, the materials cost was $400, and hopefully that will be the approximate cost this year as well (in addition to the $800 course fee).

Continue scrolling down for Tool List