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Benchroom this Week is a weekly publication which highlights the work of our students here at Inside Passage School of Fine Woodworking. (more…)

After months of preparation we are pleased to announce the return of our weekly publication of Benchroom this Week.
Thank you for your ongoing support and patience, enjoy.

JK Lectures

Jim Krenov continues to lecture on a weekly basis. Segments from these lectures will soon be available on our website. We are very grateful for Jim’s evolvement with the school. His words continue to inspire a new generation of craftsman.

Resident Craftsman Program

Inside Passage School of Fine Woodworking is proud to announce our Resident Craftsman for the 2008-2009 Craftsman Program.

Daisuke Tanaka from Nishio-shi, Aichi-ken Japan will be joining us for a second year of study. His impeccable craftsmanship will serve as a fine example for our first year students. Daisuke is nearing the completion of the stand in Kwila for the a beautiful Curly Ash dovetailed box with a twin curved panel with a bottom of spalted Beech, a piece from JK’s shop, a gift from Robert. The stay for the lid was woven in silk thread and dyed in black tea. Robert enjoys when Daisuke borrows his tools, they are always returned much sharper than they have ever been!

Adam Larson from Edmonton Alberta (right) shown here with Paul. Adam, his wife Jodie and daughter Franka have been a welcome edition to the coast. We are very fortunate to have this fine young craftsman and his family join us for another year. Adam has a solid work ethic and strong sense of community. Adam and his young family are taking full advantage of life on the coast. He is a regular up at Dakota Ridge Nordic Center. Adam completed his first piece, a delightful letter box of African Padauk, wood, he picked up at a local auction. The piece is filled with lovely details and workmanship. We are having each piece professionally photographed and will have these images available on the website in a few weeks. Adam his begun a rocking chair in teak that will require steam bent and tapered laminations and leather upholstery.

Michael Miller from Halfmoon Bay British Columbia will be joining us for a second year of study. He is nearing completion of a rather complex first piece, a wall cabinet in Teak and Olive featuring coopered frame and panel doors, two drawers, shop made hinges and wall hangers. The workmanship of this piece is exquisite. While waiting on the prefinishing of parts Michael has begun the mockup of a chair to go with the writing desk he plans on making in his second year. The desk and stand for the desk will be made from two exceptional planks of Bubinga purchased from Gilmers last fall. The desk will be of Swiss Pear also purchased at Gilmers and will be of shop sawn veneered construction. Michael, who just celebrated his 68th birthday this past week is one of my favorite people. In the relatively short time I have come to know him I put him in the same class as Gary Kent and Michael Burns. The world could use more people like this.

Open House

Our Third annual Open House & Show took place at the school on Saturday January 26th from 1-5pm. The event was well attended with people from as far off as New York and Los Angeles. Following the open house, students, alumni, faculty, family and friends gathered for dinner at the Gumboot Restaurant.

Journeyman Program

College of the Redwoods Fine Woodworking Program alumni Todd Stockner recently joined us from Hazelton British Columbia MyKiss Woodworking and presented a talk and slide show of his work covering nearly twenty years of work to this years Craftsman Program class. The students, alumni and faculty found Todd’s presentation informative and very inspiring. Todd will be returning this summer to teach during the Artisan Program.

Craftsman Program alumni Jason Klager from Prince George British Columbia will be joining us for the first two weeks of March when he takes part in our Journeyman Program. Robert will use this time to complete his chair for the year end Student, Alumni ad Faculty Show which takes place May 10, 2008 at 7pm at the James & Britta Krenov Gallery and Gallery Five located just across the courtyard from the school. Jason’s marquetry showcase was recently featured in the gallery section of Fine Woodworking Magazine. Jason has a number of fine commissions underway in his own shop. Jason’s warm and patient nature and fine eye will benefit this years class as they continue with second projects. Robert plans on presenting the chair to the class while Jason is here as Robert is grateful for his involvement in the school, giving him the precious and much appreciated time at his bench.

Tabletop cabinet by Paul Nielsen, from Evergreen Alabama currently a Craftsman Program Student at Inside Passage School of Fine Woodworking will be taking part in our Journeyman Program for the summer. Artisan Program students will benefit from having this fine young craftsman at the school while he builds a chair for a desk he is undertaking for his second piece. His first piece, a lovely tabletop Asian inspired table top cabinet in Doussie, China Berry, Cocobolo and Spanish Cedar is nearly complete. The workmanship is exquisite and the piece is filled with delightful curves and details. This young man has a very promising career ahead of him. We are delighted to have Paul and his wife Robyn here for the summer months.

Doug Ives (left), from Gibsons British Columbia who is completing his second year of study as a Resident Craftsman will be joining us this fall while taking part in the Resident Journeyman Program. Doug’s third piece is currently underway, a complex cabinet with integral stand in Aframosia and Zebrano featuring ten drawers curved veneer panels and tapered laminations. This piece and many others will be taking place at our Third Annual Student, Alumni & Faculty show which takes place at the James & Britta Krenov Gallery and Gallery Five, located just across the courtyard from the school. on May the 10th 2008. Doug is a strong supporter of the school and we are grateful for his evolvement.

Lectures

Robert discusses Veneer and Form Making

Robert used the bandsaw, a variety of planes, spokeshaves and chair scrapes to demonstrate the shaping of compound curved form making

Second year student Juan Carlos uses the form Robert prepared to demonstrate making compound curved substraights to the class. This years Resident Craftsman bring a great deal of experience and enthusiasm to the Program.

Steam Bending including Hot Pipe bending a method commonly used in Instrument making but equally effective in some furniture making applications was also demonstrated this week, opening up a whole new world of possibilities. Juan Carlos used this method during the making of his first piece. His stand required bent laminations making a inside radius of 3/4″ in Bubinga. After taking the laminations as then as he could Juan prebent each lamination on the hot pipe before laminating.

Craftsman Program

Compound curved parquetry cabinet in Redwood Burl by Resident Craftsman Juan Carlos Fernandez from Caracas Venezuela is nearly complete with the parquetry veneer work, at which time he will turns his attention to the interior and the stand. Following graduation Juan will be joining our faculty. Students will benefit a great deal from this very talented young craftsman. Juan enjoys his work and it shows. Both our Resident Craftsman this year have taken on very complex pieces, and have contributed to many sleepless nights for Robert.

Ed Tickle from Kamloops British Columbia shapes the live tenons on the stand for his side table of Kwila. The table is nearing completion and will be professionally photographed this week. Watch for Ed’s table and other student pieces in the coming issues of Benchroom this Week. Ed has begun to mockup his second piece a tabletop cabinet to be made of Shedua and Cedar of Lebanon which will include curved veneered panels. Ed is very thoughtful member of our class and is developing into a fine craftsman.

Erik Copeland from Richmond Hill Ontario completed his Kwila and Danish cord bench a few weeks back and has taken on a Rocking chair in Red Cabruva for a second piece which will require tapered laminations and joinery off ninety degrees in curved components. Here he takes a few minutes to check the comfort of his mockup. Chairs require four equally important aspects of the craft, ergonomics, function, aesthetics and structural integrity. Erik arrived with significant education ad experience as a production woodworker and has made the transition to an emphasis on hand tools. The rocking chair will challenge Erik who has a long and promising career ahead of him as a craftsman.

Matt Hales from London England saws the veneers for his liquor cabinet with integral stand. The cabinet will feature stepped parquetry veneered panels in Macassar Ebony with a Cedar of Lebanon interior and stand of Jatoba. Matt completed his first piece a while back and is in for photography. Watch for this piece and others in upcoming editions of Benchroom this Week. Matt came to the school with little experience working wood and has blossomed as a fine young craftsman.

Craftsman & Teacher Ian Godfrey assists Daisuke in the glue up of the drawer frame for the stand for his box. Ian is busy dialing in his shop and has developed into a fine craftsman, teacher and father.

Walker Savage from Seattle Washington gets assistance from Michael and Ian during the assembly of his dovetailed box of English Brown Oak with bottom of Cedar of Lebanon and frame and coopered panels of Olive. Walker will be presenting the box to the class this week before turning his attention to his next piece. Following the completion of each piece students are asked to present them to the class, a celebration and chance to reflect back on the triumphs and tragedies of what they learned. The piece is then sent out to be photographed. Walker will be making JK’s silver chest in Claro Walnut as a final piece.

Douglas Hagerman from Gibsons British Columbia is nearing the completion of his angled dovetailed curved box in East Indian Rosewood which hosts curved frame and panels of Tiger Myrtle, a gift from Robert. The bottoms are of Red Cabruva which maintain a lovely spicy, floral fragrance. Douglas, his wife Daniel and always smiling son Lukka hosted a wonderful Elephants last week wear we were joined by family and friends, including Juan’s mother in law Beatriz and brother in law Berto who arrived for a visit from Venezuela earlier that day for a lovely pot luck supper.

Dan Clearley from San Jose California is nearing the completion of his proud dovetailed box of locally harvested Arbutus. Dan has made all the hardware for this piece including the butt hinges which will receive a patination using Cupric Nitrate before installation. One of the most enjoyable aspects of being a teacher is seeing what students do with what we have taught them. I demonstrated hinge making a while back, Dan has taken this aspect of our craft to a new level at the school. Butt hinges are much more complex to make than the typical knife hinges we make here at the school. It has been a pleasure watching Dan’s skills and enthusiasm for the craft develop.

Workbenches

Our school and its alumni have just placed our yearly order of workbenches through Leif Karlsson of Målilla Hyvelbänkar Sweden. Leif is the son of the maker of Jim Krenov’s Bench. Any alumni interested in ordering a bench should contact the school.

Its not all serious at Inside Passage School of Fine Woodworking

Alumni

Craftsman Program Alumni Stephen Esdon is now offering Weekend classes in his Cooperative shop in Roberts Creek through the local Woodworkers Guild. The shop has a well equipped machine and the benchroom is outfitted with traditional benches and good ample natural light.

Federico Mendez Castro, another of our Craftsman Alumni had his third piece accepted into the Wood Coop Gallery on Granville Island. The cabinet of Macassar Ebony, Wenge and Port Orford Cedar and features compound curved sides and doors. Federico just completed a large commission with Shoji doors and has a sideboard underway where he plans on exploring inlay.

Craftsman Program Alumni Jacques Breau will be joining Jason Klager in his shop for the month of April to build a speculative piece. It is nice to see relationships begun at the school foster.

Artisan & Craftsman for Programs 2008

There is limited space available in our Artisan Programs. If you would you would like more information or would like to register call Yvonne toll free at 1.877.943.9663. Alternatively registrations may be faxed to 1.604.885.9711.

We have confirmed our first-year students for the 2008-2009 Craftsman Program. The group consists of men and women from Japan, Ireland, Columbia, United States & Canada. We are currently accepting applications for the 2009-2010 Craftsman Program.

Updates

Accreditation and website updates are still underway. Thank you for your patience. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our students past and present for their support, this school not only exists for you but because of you. I would also like to acknowledge the work of Ian Godfrey and Gary Kent our part time teachers for their assistance and of course Yvonne for keeping the school and our family on course.

Warmest Regards,
Robert

Our third annual Student Show and Open House will take place at the school on January 26, 2008 from 1-5pm. For more information please contact the school.

Warmest Regards,
Robert& Yvonne

There is still limited space in many of our 2008 programs at Inside Passage School of Fine Woodworking. If you would like more information or would like to register please call Yvonne at 1.877.943.9663. Registrations may also be faxed to 604.885.9711.

Guest Faculty Programs for 2008

Composing with Adrian Ferrazzutti

June 30th – July 4th

Adrian Ferrazzutti

Adrian’s bloodwood chair.

Students will spend a week with Adrian Ferrazzutti learning various techniques to design a piece of furniture by creating sketches, models and mock ups. This course will begin with loose drawing and sketching to hash out a design for a piece of furniture of your choice and design. Students are encouraged to arrive with sketches of furniture ideas and designs they have worked on in advance. Each student will decide on a piece of furniture and a design that he/she would like to create. A sketch or sketches of this idea will be discuss as a group. Adrian will give a compentary on each design with attention to aesthetics as well as construction considerations. In this early stage of composing a piece of furniture the initial concept is hashed out however, the direction the design process may lead and the outcome of the original idea can be surprising. Moving on from the drawing stage students will build one or more models or makquettes of their piece of furniture transforming the 2-dimensional sketch into a scaled down yet simple 3-dimensional object. Students may opt to create more than one model to explore different design possibilities. With a working model completed each student will transform their design concept into a full size model or mock up using various materials. The final mock ups will be presented and discussed as a class giving each student the opportunity to enhance their design sense by observing what other students have encountered with during their design process. http://www.adrianferrazzutti.com.

Adrian will also be teaching a veneered box-making program this coming summer at the College of the Redwoods, for more information visit www.crfinefurniture.com.

Intricate Joinery with Michael Burns

July 7th – 11th

Michael Burns

Burns Box

This class will be hands on. You will make a variety of jigs, fixtures and joints to take back to your shop. Joint design, aesthetics, machine use and handwork will be covered. We will focus on joints for chairs, tables, stands and casework. A few of the joints covered include: mitered frame with through tenons, tenons in round stock and compound angles with slip tenons. We can work on any joint that you are interested in trying, or refine a joint you have already attempted. You can do a very small project with sophisticated joinery.

Artisan Programs for 2008

David Welter

 

David Welter Vanity

We are delighted to have another of Roberts teachers, David Welter teach Artisan A – Hand & Machine Tools July 14th though 18t.
In this program, students will be introduced to the possibilities of working wood with simple yet well-tuned and effective hand tools as well as the set up and safe use of the machines commonly used in woodworking. Through a series of talks, demonstrations and exercises, students will be guided through the tuning, sharpening, set up and use of hand tools, including block and bench planes, spokeshaves, scrapers and chisels.
Students will have the opportunity to practice set up and safe use of the bandsaw, jointer, planer and table saw. Students will learn their applications, blade and knife changes as well as set up and ongoing maintenance of each of these tools. Students will be encouraged to develop a sensible balance between hand and machine tools. Wood characteristics, cuts, movement, selection and graphics will be explained and explored. David, a true Krenovian, has taught at the College of the Redwoods since 1986. Robert is very grateful to have had each of his teachers teach at our small school.

Craftsman, Resident Craftsman Programs for 2008

Inside Passage School of Fine Woodworking is pleased to announce that Daisuke Tanaka of Nishio-shi, Aichi-ken Japan will be joining us for a second year of study. We will be announcing the remaining Resident Craftsman for 2008-2009 in a few weeks but wanted to give Daisuke the opportunity to make the necessary arrangements when he returns to Japan over the break. We are very pleased to have this nice young man with us here at the school.

“Wanting to be a craftsman, or a woodworker, there are, I believe limited choices. The emphasis these days is on novelty, efficiency with very little individual contribution; many schools follow this trend. There are relatively few schools, in fact very few schools that educate a person to become a complete craftsman in wood. One of the schools I have been following and observing is at Roberts Creek in Canada, it is called Inside Passage School. I know the people there, I like what they are doing and I like very much the way they are doing it. The emphasis is on hand skills, not primitive methods but efficient skills. Work that that can be traced to the maker, the hand, the eye and the heart. The staff is open and warm and generous and there is an opportunity there at Roberts Creek to develop the skills that support this approach. In fact the kind of work that I have for many years encouraged, the craftsman as an individual. I think that this will emerge gradually as the school for the complete craftsman. If I were starting my life today as a craftsman, and needed to learn what matters the most; my choice would be Inside Passage School.”

“Wanting to be a craftsman, or a woodworker, there are, I believe limited choices. The emphasis these days is on novelty, efficiency with very little individual contribution; many schools follow this trend. There are relatively few schools, in fact very few schools that educate a person to become a complete craftsman in wood. One of the schools I have been following and observing is at Roberts Creek in Canada, it is called Inside Passage School. I know the people there, I like what they are doing and I like very much the way they are doing it. The emphasis is on hand skills, not primitive methods but efficient skills. Work that that can be traced to the maker, the hand, the eye and the heart. The staff is open and warm and generous and there is an opportunity there at Roberts Creek to develop the skills that support this approach. In fact the kind of work that I have for many years encouraged, the craftsman as an individual. I think that this will emerge gradually as the school for the complete craftsman. If I were starting my life today as a craftsman, and needed to learn what matters the most; my choice would be Inside Passage School.”

James Krenov, August 2006

Journeyman Program

Inside Passage School of Fine Woodworking offers graduates of the Craftsman Program or the College of the Redwoods Fine Woodworking Program the opportunity to share their craft with aspiring woodworkers. If you are interested please call the school and ask to speak to our Program Director.

Todd’s chair during mockup stage while participating in the Journeyman Program at Inside Passage School of Fine Woodworking.

Todd Sorenson’s Chair in narra and leather at the College of the Redwoods’ Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Show.

College of the Redwoods graduate Steve Skonieczny discusses design Federico Mendez Castro during Federico’s first year at the school.

Inside Passage School of Fine Woodworking Program graduate Jason Klager explores marquetry with last year’s Craftsman Program.

College of the Redwoods graduate Todd Stockner discusses shop sawn veneer with Jason while he was a student at the school.

College of the Redwoods graduate Todd Sorenson has participated in our Journeyman program on two occasions, one week in 2005 and five weeks in 2006.

College of the Redwoods graduate Carl Zytowski participated in the journeyman program earlier this year.

Resident Journeyman Program

Robert & Doug at Gilmers doing something they are both passionate about, looking at wood!

A new program offered at Inside Passage School of Fine Woodworking. The Resident Journeyman Program is an appointed position and is based on limited space. It may be more accurately referred to as “the separation anxiety program” at the school and is offered to two-year graduates of the program who just refuse to leave. Our small school is pleased to announce the appointment of Doug Ives who is currently completing his second year of study at the school. Doug has been a tremendous advocate of the school and we are so pleased that we will not have to see him leave anytime soon!

Alumni News

Lael’s pear cabinet

Lael’s Hemlock & Yew cabinet

Congratulations Craftsman Program Graduate Lael Gordon who received a grant from the Rasmuson Foundation of Alaska and will be featured in an upcoming article by Jennifer Hicks of Woodshop News.

Scott’s Box for Isabella

Scott King’s treasure box for his daughter will also be featured in an upcoming issue of Fine Woodworking Magazine’s gallery. Scott, his wife Kathy and daughter Isabella have returned to the Barbados where Scott is in the process of building his shop. www.scottkingfurniture.com

Jason’s Cabinet

 

Jason’s showcase cabinet will also be featured in an upcoming issue of Fine Woodworking magazine’s gallery. Jason has completed his shop and already has several commissions underway.

Peter Heilman is in the process of completing a large cooperative shop in Brooklyn New York. I spoke with Peter last week. He hopes to have things up and running in the early spring. He is currently working on a craftsman kitchen built the way they should be made. Congratulations Peter and his partner Maura on their recent engagement!

All of our alumni are encouraged to submit work for our annual Student, Alumni and Faculty show which takes place in the James & Britta Krenov Gallery in Roberts Creek on the May 10, 2008.

Annual Faculty Meetings

Following our annual pilgrimage to Gilmers in Portland, Robert, Yvonne and Tadi continued down to Fort Bragg where in addition to catching up with family and friends, met with JK to discuss teaching and craft. Jim will continue to lecture once a week “As long as I’m breathing”. We are grateful for his lectures and look forward to his talks each week. A special thanks to Britta for facilitating our weekly talks.

The Benchroom This Week…

December 23, 2007

This year’s class is just Plane Crazy. This year to date nearly seventy finely made and tuned wooden hand planes have been made at the school.

Walker picked out some incredible Claro Walnut at Gilmers, for his second piece. Walker currently has a rather large dovetailed box with a curved frame and panel lid in English brown oak underway. Walker’s partner LM and his mom made the trip as well. It is so nice to have family and friends take part I activities with the school. Walker intends on relocating to New York following the program where he hopes to take a spot in Resident Craftsman Graduate Peter Heilman’s cooperative shop.

From left Jim, Miles, Adam, Ed, Robert, Michael, Walker, Daisuke, Douglas, Matt, Juan, Doug & Paul. In addition to Gilmers most of us took the opportunity to visit Powell Books. Adam and Paul arrived at Gilmers disappointed that Powell Books, who deal in new and used, did not have any copies of JK’s books. What they didn’t realize is that Robert had been there hours before and bought all the copies available for the school.

Michael selected two lovely planks of Bubinga for his second and third pieces at the school. He will commence work on a writing desk and chair in Bubinga and Swiss pear once he completes the Teak wall cabinet with two curved frame and panel doors currently underway at his bench. Michael has been a real pleasure to have at the school.

The sign on Ron Hock’s humble shop. While in Fort Bragg, we had the opportunity to stop in for a visit with our favorite supplier and his wife Linda who operates an independent bookstore in Fort Bragg.

Gary and Juan discuss Juan’s piece. We are very fortunate to have Gary serve as our relief teacher at the school. Gary is a graduate of the first College of the Redwoods Fine Woodworking Program and has been woodworking on the coast since returning in 1982.

Thanks to the generous gift of an Alaskan Chainsaw Mill by an alumni of our school who wishes to remain anonymous. Our school has now added Chainsaw Milling to the curriculum in both the Craftsman and Artisan Programs. Following our inaugural run I would like to extend a special thank you to both Kurt Gjerdalen, a local woodworker and Craftsman Alumni Bruce Rigby for all their assistance.

From left Doug, Paul, Daisuke, Adam, Ed, Bruce, Juan, Kurt, Dan, Erik & Matt. Not shown Michael, Douglas, Ian and Robert.

Dan cross bucks the log to length prior to milling. The log was nearly eighteen feet to begin with; it was bucked into a six-foot log with a butt of almost four feet and a twelve foot log with a butt of three feet. Each of these pieces required edge milling to accommodate our thirty-two inch bar.

Ian uses an axe to remove a bump on the cedar log just prior to attaching the top plate for edging and center cut. Ian has been busy putting together a dehumidification kiln for the school based on Ejler Hjorth-Westh’s design. While the initial need for the kiln is for some Claro Walnut from recently purchased from Gilmers, I can’t help but think the kiln will be kept busy with some of our locally milled wood. Ian’s shop is nearly complete, we hope to have a shop tour in the New Year.

Kurt gives the group an overview of chainsaw milling. Kurt is Juan’s landlord and also shares his shop space with Federico Mendez Castro, a two-year graduate of our Craftsman Program.

Doug shows that safety and style do not necessarily need to clash!

Dan & Robert make first cut. This is something that I have wanted to do since reading The Fine Art of Cabinetmaking for the first time. It was everything I dreamed of, noisy, dusty, hard work and very, very satisfying! Watching three-inch slabs being filleted off that log was a wonderful experience!

Ed sets up the saw for the slab cuts. Once set up each cut takes less than ten minutes. Following each pass the gas tank and the chain oil are topped up before the next cut is made.

Ian & Ed cut a slab while Bruce and Paul stand by. While two people are operating the mill, kerf spacers need to be placed while the cut is being made. It was truly amazing the accuracy of this simple machine.

I waited twenty years for this moment!

Daisuke makes a pass with the mill. Each of our students was given the opportunity to get involved with the milling. Daisuke also had a hand in keeping the fire going.

Douglas and son Lukka chop dovetails at his bench. Having family around the shop adds a great deal to the experience of the school. This year we are so fortunate to have so many lovely people at the school.

Juan takes a closer look at his side compound curved panel cutting and shooting jig. Juan and his wife Beatriz off to California for break. It is a pleasure having this lovely couple involved with our school for the past two years.

Juan shares the process of sizing the components of his compound curved parquetry cabinet during walkaround. The cabinet’s substraight is of aspen veneers bent over a form in the vacuum press a method Brian Newell shared with us last summer.

Doug explores the drawer/ door configuration of his four sides cabinet with integrated stand during walkaround. Doug’s cabinet of aframosia and zebrano houses ten drawers and two drawers with a rising compartment. It features curved veneered panels, tapered laminations and parquetry. A very carefully thought out and complex piece.

Dan talks about stand possibilities for his dovetailed box of locally harvested spalted arbutus during walkaround. Dan has completed the joinery for the box and is moving onto the stand. Nothing stops this man!

Daisuke talks about dovetail layout patterns during walkaround. Dovetails are a great opportunity for the craftsman to express his or her creative side.

Paul talks about his tabletop cabinet mock now underway in Doussie and China berry during walkaround. Walkarounds were started last month and continue to be a wonderful opportunity for students to share the triumphs and tragedies of their pieces. We are pleased that they will be joining us on the coast over break.

Douglas shares his intensions during a recent walkaround. Douglas has taken on an angled dovetailed box in East Indian rosewood for his first piece with curved frame and panel lids. Douglas has some exceptional Claro Walnut coming from Gilmers, which will be used for his second piece.

Matt & Gary during enjoy the relaxed atmosphere at the school during a walkaround.

Matt talks about the process of dovetailing wide boards during a walkaround. Matt has a side table underway in some lovely air-dried beech featuring a dovetailed carcass through drawers and a mortise and tenoned stand of mahogany.

Dan’s dreads, its not all serious at Inside Passage!

Adam’s padauk shavings! Adam has a letterbox underway in some lovely wood he acquired at a local auction. Adam has gone to great lengths to ensure the graphics work at each of the corners. The surface preparation of this wood normally requires scraping and sanding. But when you have a finely tuned plane that takes shavings like this it can save you a pile of time not to mention make the process that much more enjoyable.

 

Ed with dry run glue up of kwila top. The wood in this piece is exceptional, as is the workmanship!

Erik’s bench in kwila and Danish cord is moving along nicely with the joinery complete, Erik has moved onto the shaping using the shop made wooden spoke shave and chair scrape made earlier this month.

Dan’s arbutus dovetails on nicely done. Dan chose to cut the tails first, a process different than we teach here at the school no one could argue with the results. One of the most rewarding aspects of being a teacher is watching your students refine and develop methods to suit their specific needs.

Matt’s dovetails in European air dried beech, impeccably done! Exactly what we have come to expect from this aspiring young craftsman.

Daisuke’s dovetail layouts. Students are encouraged to do multiple layouts, settle on one and refine before diving into the wood.

Daisuke’s very clean pins underway. Daisuke has forced many of us to reevaluate the sharpness of our tools is developing into a fine craftsman and has a promising career ahead on him.

Doug’s shop made substraights of Port Orford cedar and aspen. There is a sense of satisfaction when you make your own substraights not to mention that when you are working with curved panels shaping wood instead of plywood is easier on our wooden planes and is a much more enjoyable process.

Adam with shop made mallet of eucalyptus. Walker donated some eucalyptus for tool making. Tool making continues to thrive at the school. This year’s class has really embraced this aspect of our craft.

Franka, Adam and Jodie’s daughter, what a perfect little person!

Juan’s compound curved sides received bake ins prior to dowelling.

Juan’s top panels in different stages. The top consists of three compound curved panels. Each panel is made of cross banded two-plys of commercial veneers that need relief cuts to facilitate bending.

Juan makes top angle cuts. Following these cuts on the bandsaw the edges are shot with a hand plane prior to receiving baked in edges to add to the structural integrity of the piece.

Juan’s carved pear medallion will be let into the top of his cabinet. Watching students develop their own voice in design is an exciting and rewarding experience.

from left Ed, Erik, Dan, Robert, Michael, Daisuke, Walker, Adam, Paul…

Daisuke, Walker, Adam, Paul, Juan, Matt, Doug, Douglas.

Website updates are underway. Alumni Pages, Facility Tour and JK Lectures are in progress. Thank you for your patience. Watch for announcements in upcoming publications of Benchroom this Week.

It’s a girl!

Inside Passage School of Fine Woodworking is delighted to announce the birth of Franka Scout McKague Larson. Franka Scout, which means free woman, was born on October 25, 2007 at 10:35pm. Congratulations Adam & Jodie. Welcome to the world little one, you are very fortunate to have such loving parents.

Considering taking a program at our small school? Remember to visit our testimonials page of the website. Artisan, Guest Faculty and the Craftsman Programs are all beginning to fill. If you would like to register or would like more information please contact the school on our toll free number 1.877.943.9663.and ask to speak to Yvonne, our faculty, advisors, alumni or current students.

Our desire to make use of local resources has been greatly enhanced with a generous donation by an alumni (who has asked to remain anonymous). The 36” Alaskan chainsaw mill will enable our students and faculty to enjoy the benefits of locally fell trees such as arbutus, maple, Port Orford and yellow cedars, fir and hemlock. Milling will be added to the curriculum for both our Craftsman and Artisan Programs.

Juan & Doug presented their recently completed pieces to the class, alumni, family and friends. Everyone was treated to great food, martinis and stellar music. These two have definitely raised the bar on presentations.

Doug’s serving tray on a stand “Grace’s Fire”. The stand is Jatoba featuring twin through and wedged mortise and tenon, curved and tapered veneered tray of curly western maple. The drawer is accessible from both sides and is made from jatoba and beech with snake wood pulls, a gift from Juan Carlos. Like much of the work done here at the school it began with two precious pieces of wood which were a gift from a dear friend. This piece is filled with subtle details.

Juan Carlos’ wall cabinet, “Zulu”. The curved veneered cabinet is of bubinga with a carved pear panel. The drawers are of plum and eastern maple with pulls and handles of Palasandar rosewood. The hinges and wall hangers were shop made to work with the curves and angles of this elegant piece. There are many discoveries in this finely crafted piece.

Jim’s weekly lectures continue to inspire all of us at Inside Passage. In the last few weeks, Jim has shared with us his thoughts on drawer making and fitting, doweling, frame & panel, coopering and design and mockups. Each of his lectures led to discussions on craft and his tremendous life experiences.

Erik puts aside his Zona saw and turns to sawing dovetails with a brush saw. Erik is mocking up a Danish inspired bench for his first piece and is looking at using kwila and Danish Cord. This is an ambitious first piece however based on his progress during fundamentals I feel he is up to the task.

Daisuke lays out for the carriage bolts on his shooting Board. Daisuke has a small tabletop cabinet mocked up which will incorporate many of the skills covered in the first semester. Daisuke, who has an obsession for sharp tools and fine shavings, has shown to be a bit of a sleeper. His work is meticulous. He never seems to be rushing but things get done and done very well.

Paul chopping pins for drawer front. Students were given a variety of woods during fundamentals. This allows the student to discover the different working properties of various woods available to them. Several students bring wood with them from home. Paul brought with him a few sweet planks of China Berry from Alabama. It resembles red elm and is filled with lovely red and orange tones. Paul has a small tansu inspired cabinet mocked up and maybe using doussie with China Berry panels. While at Gilmers Paul will be looking for wood for a chair, which he will be making as a second piece.

Robert demonstrates the sizing of drawer parts on the bandsaw and drawer assembly.

Second Year Student and Resident Craftsman Doug Ives with mockup of second piece, which will incorporate, curved veneered parquetry panels and tapered laminations in Zebrano and aframosia. Doug is our school’s student representative to the Furniture Society http://www.furnituresociety.org. Doug also publishes an alumni newsletter keeping graduates of the program abreast of alumni news.

On a lovely fall afternoon the class walked down to Robert and Yvonne’s home and moved and stacked some locally harvested arbutous and maple planks. From left Adam, Paul, Daisuke, Michael, Doug, Douglas, Robert, Walker, Matt, Ed, Dan & Erik. Missing is Ian (Working in his shop) and Juan (Seattle).

Adam & Yvonne enjoy the lovely fall day.

Dan offered to take on the nastiest job at Inside Passage. The cleaning of the bags in the dust collector and did it with a smile. Dan has some incredible local arbutous in mind for his first piece. His mockup is already taking shape and he has moved onto a practice set of dovetails. Students are encouraged to mill the wood for their pieces and set it aside to settle for a few weeks. Mockups are then refined, joinery in the actual wood is practiced and any required tools are made during this time.

Robert’s chair with arm shaping underway. Too view this piece and new work by students and faculty plan on attending our annual Open House the takes place at our school the 26th of January 2008 from 1-5pm.

Ian assists Douglas with doweled cabinet assembly. Each student had the opportunity to make a small doweled cabinet with splined partition and fitted frame and panel back. Many have taken added another fitted drawer to the exercise. Douglas has a small box in mind for his first piece, which will feature, angled dovetails. Douglas, his wife Danielle and son Lukka will be joining us for our pilgrimage to Gilmers.

Plane Making is out of control at the school. On one morning last week Michael and I did a tally of planes completed and counted nearly sixty with several underway. Two of the instigators of this, shown are Michael and Dan’s cabinets filled with several nicely made and finely tuned instruments.

Michael cleans up frame for frame and panel exercise. Michael continues to be the first one to arrive each morning. Robert has enjoyed having the early morning company. In addition to putting in a string of twelve-hour days each week Michael commutes forty five minutes twice a day. We are so grateful he does as his smile and enthusiasm continues to brighten all of our days. Michael will be making a curved frame and panel door cabinet for his first piece of a wood yet to be determined.

With his drawer complete, Adam fits the drawer during the drawer making and fitting exercise. Each of our students have had the opportunity to make a drawer and the fit the drawer with “let go” to their tool cabinets. “Let go” is a term to describe the method we use in which we create a tapered pocket and plane a trifle of taper in the sides in the drawer creating a pinch as the drawer reaches the end of its run. Once the drawer has been fit students have the opportunity to uses their creative talents to design and carve and fit a pull for their drawer. Adam has mocked up a wonderful letterbox, which he planes to make of African padauk, which he bought at a local wood auction in September.

Ed uses his block plane to shape the bottom of coopering plane. Once shaped students use their planes in a coopering exercise where students create a small coopered panel with a subtle taper. Ed will be putting several of the skills learned during fundamentals as he undertakes his first piece, a small table in kwila originally made of Rio rosewood by JK in 1968.

Walker makes an exploratory cut on piece of eucalyptus firewood. We receive calls on a regular basis from local people with wood to donate to the school. This material varies from containing incredible figure and color to unusable. Walker has selected English Brown Oak for his first piece and will be searching for chair wood for his second piece while at Gilmer’s.

Second Year Student and Resident Craftsman Juan Carlos Fernandez with sample compound curved panel. Juan’s second piece is underway and will feature compound curved cabinet it redwood burl and tapered lamination in a wood not yet determined.

Following Ian’s sketching lecture, Ian and Matt discuss concepts for Matt’s first piece. In the final week of fundamentals students are taken through sketching, mockups, wood graphics and rendering working drawings, templates and cutting lists. They will need to have completed each of these exercises prior to our wood run which takes place next week. Matt has selected air dried European Beech with a precious streak of color for his first piece and has the wood cut oversized and stickered while he works our the details in his mockup and practices cutting dovetails in this beautiful wood. Matt will be looking for stand material as well as material for his second piece.

Following Robert’s introduction to mockups, Juan Carlos shares with the class his process of mocking up three of the pieces he has made since arriving at the school. Juan Carlos suggested that while he may spend more time mocking up initially it saves him time later on. We are very fortunate to have the second year students we have, they continue to serve as mentors for our first year students and demonstrate a level of craftsmanship for which all of us to aspire.

Juan Carlos prepares the substraight for his compound curved parquetry veneered cabinet. He was able to squeeze in the making of a few fine planes while waiting on wood.

Paul and Adam discuss edge treatments on mockup. Our small school encourages the sharing of ideas. Students not only learn from our faculty but from each other. In a few weeks we will begin our weekly Walkarounds where students and faculty have the opportunity to share the triumphs and tragedies in the composing and making of their pieces.

Juan & Beatriz made a generous donation to the school, a set of seat cushions which have made sitting at the bench much more comfortable for all of us. They have been especially enjoyed during JK’s weekly lectures. All of us at the school are very grateful for their donation, even more so for having the two of them with us for another year.

As this year¹s class wraps up fundamental exercises we bid farewell to Ryan and Kevin. From all of us at Inside Passage School Of Fine Woodworking, teachers, staff and students, we would like take this opportunity to thank them for their patronage and wish them continued success in their future endeavours.

Matt (foreground) makes initial cuts in an air-dried plank of European Beech. Walker in background scrubs plank of English Brown Oak. We have such a wonderful group this year and the karma in the shop has never been better.

Start them young. Tadi, Robert and Yvonne’s daughter spends some time at her dad’s bench chopping dovetails. Next week students and their families will head down to Gilmer Wood Company in Portland Oregon where faculty and students will look for inspiration in stacks of incredible timber from throughout the world. Yvonne, Robert and Tadi will be taking a few days and continue down to California to visit with family and friends. Robert will be taking this opportunity spend some time with JK.

JK’s lecture this week dealt with hand cut dovetail joinery. As with many of Jim’s lectures our topics tend to lead into other aspects of our craft. This week Jim spoke about finding your place in the craft and about wood as the source of all our inspiration. Following our annual pilgrimage to Gilmer Wood Company at the end on November, Robert will be heading down to meet with Jim for a few days before students undertake their first pieces.

Guest Faculty Program for 2007

Composing with Adrian Ferrazzutti

Students will spend a week with Adrian learning various techniques to design a piece of furniture by creating sketches, models and mockups. This course will begin with loose drawings and sketching to hash out a design for a piece of furniture of your choice and design. Students are encouraged to arrive with sketches of furniture ideas and designs they have worked on in advance. Each student will decide on a piece of furniture and a design that he or she would like to create. A sketch or sketches of this idea will be discussed as a group.

Adrian will give a commentary on each design with attention to aesthetics as well as construction considerations. In this early stage of composing a piece of furniture the initial concept is hashed out however, the direction the design process may lead to and the outcome of the original idea can be surprising. Moving on from the drawing stage, students will build one or more models or maquettes of their piece of furniture transforming the two dimensional sketch into a scaled down, yet simple, three dimensional object. Students may opt to create more than one model to explore different design possibilities. With a working model completed each student will transform their design concept into a full size model or mock up using various materials. The final mockups will be presented and discussed as a class giving each student the opportunity to enhance their design sense by observing what other students have encountered with during their design process.

This class along with many of our other Guest Faculty and Artisan Programs are already beginning to fill. If you would like to reserve your bench space for any of our programs call Yvonne on our toll free line at 1.877.943.9663. Alternatively registrations may be printed directly off our website and faxed to 1.604.885.9711. We have already received several registrations for our 2008-2009 Craftsman Program. Please remember that we accept students of all woodworking abilities with a common goal of slowing down and refining your skills and that we accept students on a first come, first serve basis. Selecting a school is likely the most important decision you will need to make when investing in your craft education. If you would like more information about our small school or any of our programs call our toll free number at 1.877.943.9663 and ask to speak with one of our faculty, advisors, alumni or current students.

Michael from Halfmoon Bay British Columbia. A fine craftsman and a lovely man. As another early riser I look forward to his smiling face each morning. Students have access to the shop from when I arrive at the school each morning generally before 6am until 9pm from Monday through Saturday.

Ian, one of four teachers here at the school demonstrates jointer knife honing, replacement and setup. Students are given the opportunity on an ongoing basis throughout the program to observe and practice machine setup, tuning and maintenance. This is Ian’s third year at the school. He has recently acquired a Felder full combination machine and is nearing completion of his new shop, located just a few minutes down the road from our school. He will continue to teach two days a week, build furniture and help his wife Marnie raise their lovely daughter Maaike.

Daisuke, one of our international students from Japan, planes the face of his sweet board exercise to a flawless finish. Daisuke is obsessed with fine shavings. He is focused and it is a pleasure watching him work.

Douglas of Gibsons, British Columbia checks edge for square. Following sharpening, hand tool tuning and the making of a wooden smoother and jointer, students are taken through what was formally known as “the perfect board” exercise. We have made a few changes to make the exercise a bit more dynamic and enjoyable by incorporating a convex face and a concave edge. This gave students the opportunity to use their spokeshaves as well in the exercise.

Robert demonstrated the process of inserts and applied soles. Another skill not necessarily used often but eventually required when wooden planes are such a primary tool of the craftsman. When neatly done they close up the mouth of the plane and can dramatically improve its performance.

Daisuke from Nishio-shi, Aichi-ken Japan experiences the free hand sport of mortising, a phrase coined by Stephen Esdon, one of our first alumni. Daisuke described himself as a beginner coming into the program. He has completed each task presented to him at very high level of workmanship.

Erik from Richmond Hill Ontario cleans up shoulders of tenon while dialing in the fit. Each student had the opportunity to complete a stub, haunched as well as a through and wedged tenon before moving onto the making of a pair of Krenovian sawhorses in ash.

Ed from Kamloops British Columbia cleans up his through and wedged tenon. Ed another self-proclaimed beginner to the craft has made wonderful progress since arriving at the school and has shown a real sense of community.

Kevin Kelly from Reno Nevada, one of three second year students at the our small school makes adjustments to his carcass prior to attaching the applied edges which align seamlessly with the transition in his Port Orford cedar and doussie veneers. Kevin teaches by example, giving our students a level of workmanship for which to strive for. Kevin has a passion for the craft, which is echoed in his work.

Douglas from Gibsons British Columbia lays out the story stick for his sawhorses. Kevin introduced students to story sticks a few weeks ago. Students are encouraged to use these sticks when dimensioning stock and laying out joinery without the risk of miscalculations.

Matt from England, via Vancouver, completed the assembly of his sawhorses, which now await the top rail. I had a classmate from England when I was in school that Matt reminds me of. Not because he is English but rather his focus and work ethic. Matt, like John Dee, never seems to rush but always gets the task completed and done very well.

Adam from Edmonton Alberta uses his shop made bevel gauge to layout the pins on his third set of through dovetails. When defining the curriculum at the school with Jim Krenov, Jim suggested breaking down the craft into three equally important facets, the material, the tools and the process. Each skill taught at the school encompasses these areas and is presented with this in mind. Students are introduced to a variety of woods with different working properties ad are encouraged to explore the richness of our medium. Students are also encouraged to make their own tools as means of further understanding the material and how it is worked. The process is then introduced after students have a better understanding of the materials and the tools.

Dan from San Jose California sharpens his Japanese saw following Robert’s demonstration. Saw sharpening is time consuming, but rewarding. Students have by now discovered the importance of sharp tools, saws are no different than cutting edges, they perform better when sharp. When students leave the program they will have been introduced to a number of skills that even if they do not use them immediately, they will one day. Saw sharpening is one of those skills. A few years from now they will be in their own shop and need to sharpen a blade, pull out their notes and just do it. Robert also demonstrated the sharpening of drill bits. Taking a twist drill, converting it to a brad point, then back to a twist bit and how to modify the bit for metal work. These skills may seem insignificant but are necessary for the complete craftsman.

Ryan from Wetaskiwin Alberta saws the pins for his first set of half lapped. Cutting a respectable set of dovetails requires many skills. Sawing well not only makes ones work more efficient and enjoyable but dramatically improves the chances of getting the results you are looking for. Ryan has taken advantage of the many cultural qualities the Creek has to offer.

Second year student, Doug Ives from Gibsons British Columbia is nearing the completion of his serving table. He now begins to mockup handles to be made of snake wood, a gift from his bench mate Juan Carlos. Once complete and after it has been presented to the class, his piece will be professionally photographed and will be available for viewing on our website. Doug has recently taken on the task of an alumni newsletter. His bench is cluttered with pieces of wood covered with his thoughts, which will inevitably need to be transcribed. Doug has a gift for this sort of thing and we are very grateful to have him back for a second year.

Matt from England via Vancouver cleans up the edge of his shooting board. Matt’s progress since arriving at the school can be described as nothing less than amazing. At our teacher meeting on Friday we all agreed that he should just do the through dovetail review on Saturday.

Walker from Seattle Washington checks the wedges on the bottom of his shooting board for flat. Students use their wooden planes to flatten the ash wedges of the shooting board to ensure a true cut. On the first day of the program hand plane use was described as a primary skill, a skill, which is at the very soul of our work. Walker, who had previously taken a class with Ross Day, a College of the Redwoods graduate who taught a program at Seattle Community College, has been a wonderful fit to the program and the school. Another of the early risers, Walker often arrives at school before 7am. Walker’s parents visited the school last week and his partner LM joined him this past week.

Paul from Evergreen Alabama takes advantage of the early morning sun to do some lapping over coffee. Paul’s parents from Alabama visited this past week and have suggested they will be back for the year-end show in May. Robyn, Paul’s wife has taken on a job at the Gumboot Cafe, located just across the courtyard from the school.

Ryan from Wetaskiwin Alberta cleans up the sockets on his first set of through dovetails. Ryan has really enjoyed the emphasis on handwork at the school. Students are encouraged to develop a sensible balance between the use of hand and machine tools while at the school. This balance is different for everyone. I see many dovetails in this aspiring young craftsman’s future.

A sneak preview of Juan Carlos’ recently completed wall cabinet. Juan has put off the presentation of his piece until his wife Beatrice arrived back from Venezuela. With the presentation taking place this coming week, we will be having it professionally photographed and up on the website shortly.

Erik of Richmond Hill Ontario pares the pins on his second set of through dovetails. Erik arrived at the school with solid foundation of machine skills and has made the transition to an emphasis on handwork without a missing a beat. He is always willing to lend a hand and assist students with less experience with machine operations, another example of the strong sense of community found at our small school.

Kevin, a second year student from Reno Nevada has applied edges ready to go onto veneered Doussie and Port Orford cedar panels. Kevin, a graduate of the College of the Redwoods Fine Woodworking Program has a unique position at the school. A student from Monday through Friday and on Saturday takes on a teaching role. A difficult role for anyone.

Dan from San Jose California pares the pins of his first set of through dovetails using one of the many chisels he has made since tool making was introduced. In addition to completing his exercises, Dan always has a few side jobs on the go including a set of lofting ducks which he has carved the pattern for. Dan is another of our early morning people and has really settled in to Roberts Creek life. He has organized several orders of organic produce for our students and is always there to assist one of his fellow students. We are very grateful to have him with us.

Juan Carlos from Caracas Venezuela, another of our second year students mocked up this compound curved cabinet for his second piece. It will rest on a stand which he will mockup after the cabinet is complete, something that JK recommends. Juan Carlos sat in on Brian Newell’s program this past summer and I could see the wheels turning. There are very few craftsmen who could pull off such a complex piece and still maintain the level of craftsmanship we have come to expect from Juan Carlos. As his teacher there is no doubt in my mind a masterpiece is underway. It has been such a pleasure having Juan Carlos and his wife Beatrice, who has just returned from Venezuela, here at the school.

Walker from Seattle Washington pares the pins of his first set of half lapped dovetails. The karma in the benchroom this week has been wonderful. Each of our teachers demonstrated their method of cutting this joint by hand. Students were then given the opportunity to practice this skill. This is in preparation for the coming week of drawer making where each of our students will make a drawer and fit it to one of our student cabinet drawer pockets. The drawers will be fit with “let go”, a term used to describe the drawer run. The pocket and the drawer are each planed into very slight tapers resulting in a drawer which runs smooth and just before it leaves the pocket pinches, preventing the drawer from inadvertently slipping out and falling to the floor. The drawers will be then fitted with bottoms, stops and carved pulls.

Doug from Gibsons, British Columbia, one of our second year students, is nearing the completion of his first piece and is beginning to explore the possibilities for his second piece. Shown is a model of what he intends to build as a second piece. The lower portion would be enclosed in veneered panels. Doug will be moving onto a full sized mockup following the completion of his current piece.

Paul from Crested Butte Colorado cleans up the corners of his first set of through dovetails. Paul approaches our craft, our tools and material with the care and attention it deserves. He is focused and strives for perfection in each of the tasks presented. He and his wife Robyn are two of the sweetest people I know.

Adam from Edmonton Alberta contacted Terry at A&M Wood Specialty in Cambridge Ontario and arranged for some kingwood, tulipwood and cocobolo to be shipped out for plane bodies. This group has really embraced the plane and tool-making aspect of the program as well this group has developed a real sense of community. Adam and his wife Jodie are expecting the birth of their first child any day now. Every time the phone rings at the school we all hold our breath. The midwives clinic is conveniently setup in the same building as the school.

Walker from Seattle Washington received prayer flags as a gift from his partner LM and now occupy a special place in the benchroom.

Gary Kent, our relief teacher here at the school, shares with the class the process of vacuum bagging a curved veneered panel. The display cabinet in quarter-sawn oak is a commission for a long time client of his. Our teachers offer our students over fifty years of combined experience as professional craftsman.

Adam from Edmonton Alberta cleans up the pins on his second set of half lapped dovetails. Students gradually increase the number of pins and tails as they become familiar with the tools and the material. Next week, when students take on drawer construction, they will be encouraged to experience different woods and their working properties. One of the most difficult transitions for students to make when they arrive at the school is slowing down, particularly when they have come from a carpentry background. My experience is that when they do their hand skills take off. I see this as each day passes with Adam. I am so pleased that we are able to make this journey with him.

Ed from Kamloops British Columbia and his first ever set of very clean half lapped pins. On the first day students were given the secrets to dovetails; sharp tools, good light, sweet wood and a relaxed approach. What we see here is a result of all those things and a desire to do nice work. Ed is a welcome addition to our program and our community.

Michael of Halfmoon Bay British Columbia proudly displays his first set of dovetails. Michael has really embraced the philosophy of the school. He arrives before 7am each morning always with a smile and a kind word, not to mention a new box of treasures rescued from his shop, which he uses to fill the gaps in his day by cleaning and tuning. When the idea for this school was first conceived and I began thinking about the ideal student, I must have been thinking of Michael.

Each student is given the opportunity this past week to make a shooting board, a bevel gauge and a paring chisel, all of which will be used in the coming week of drawer making and fitting and on an ongoing basis throughout their life as a craftsman.

Juan Carlos from Caracas Venezuela cuts the form for his compound curved panels. Having second year students at the school gives first year students the opportunity to see the possibilities, which exist while still completing the fundamental skills. A lot of the learning, which goes on at the school, comes from watching these fellow students at work. Alumni Federico Mendez Castro dropped by the school this week to share some of his insight with Parquetry and working with compound curves with Juan Carlos.

Robert recognizes the importance of Benchroom this Week and enjoys writing however he would be rather working on the coped joints where the arm rests meet the back legs of his chair.

Our small school just hours before the Craftsman Program begins. This year’s class includes eleven first year and three second year students, including one who completed his first year at the College of the Redwoods Fine Woodworking Program. Our students this year come from Japan, England, Venezuela, the United States and Canada. Robert has moved his secondary bench from his benchroom into the main benchroom. The bench is the same model as Robert’s primary bench but is much smaller and allows our students to view demonstrations from all angles without occupying too much space in the benchroom. This bench was hand made by Leif Carlson of Malilla Hyvelbankar in Sweden. For more information visit his website http://www.workbenches.se/en/. If any of our alumni would like to order one of these fine benches, contact the school as we will be placing another order this fall. Another major improvement is the wood floor installed by Kevin and Ian during our Craftsman Program preparation week. It has already saved a few irons including one of my own. Not to mention it dampens sound and is much easier on all our joints.

Leif at his little shop in Sweden.

As is tradition here at Inside Passage, this year’s class was treated to the first Monday morning yoga session at Yoga by the Sea http://www.yogabythesea.ca/ conveniently located above our school. This optional activity prepares students and faculty both mentally and physically for the coming week. The class is taught by a friend of ours, Marney Coulter who adjusts the routine to accommodate the specific needs of woodworkers. Almost our entire class has decided to continue on with the Monday morning ritual.

Guest Faculty for 2008

Armchair by Adrian Ferrazzutti in wenge and leather

Composing with Adrian Ferrazzutti June 30th – July 4th

We have made one change to our guest faculty for 2008. Adrian Ferrazzutti will be will be teaching a one week design class. Adrian’s has developed a reputation as one of Canada’s predominate designers and makers. Watch for a description of this program in an upcoming addition of Benchroom this Week.

Adrian Ferrazzutti butterfly table in Ebony, Holly and Silver to see more of Adrian’s incredible work visit his website http://www.adrianferrazzutti.com.

Michael Burns is the program director of the College of the Redwoods Fine Woodworking Program, a fine craftsman, an inspiring teacher and a dear friend.

Intricate Joinery with Michael Burns July 7th – 11th

This class will be hands on. You will make a variety of jigs, fixtures and joints to take back to your shop. Joint design, aesthetics, machine use and handwork will be covered. We will focus on joints for chairs, tables, stands and casework. A few of the joints covered include: mitered frame with through tenons, tenons in round stock and compound angles with slip tenons. We can work on any joint that you are interested in trying, or refine a joint you have already attempted. You can do a very small project with sophisticated joinery.

Mendo Ming chair in kwila by Michael Burns.

Another of Roberts teachers, David Welter will be joining use next summer when he teaches Artisan A – Hand & Machine Tools July 14th though 18th.

In this program, students will be introduced to the possibilities of working wood with simple yet well-tuned and effective hand tools as well as the set up and safe use of the machines commonly used in woodworking. Through a series of talks, demonstrations and exercises, students will be guided through the tuning, sharpening, set up and use of hand tools, including block and bench planes, spokeshaves, scrapers and chisels.
Students will have the opportunity to practice set up and safe use of the bandsaw, jointer, planer and table saw. Students will learn their applications, blade and knife changes as well as set up and ongoing maintenance of each of these tools. Students will be encouraged to develop a sensible balance between hand and machine tools.

Wood characteristics, cuts, movement, selection and graphics will be explained and explored.

China Cabinet by David Welter.

David has taught at the College of the Redwoods for over twenty years. Robert is very grateful to have had each of his teachers teach at our small school.

Jim Krenov addressed the class on the first day and spoke to the group about sharpening. Jim emphasized the importance of slowing down and enjoying the process as they begin their journey. Jim’s lecture this week dealt with plane making. Shown is a small wooden smoother by JK. Jim suggested not to rush the shaping process but rather live and work with the plane and make adjustments as necessary. He said that he usually spends a couple of day refining the shape of each of his planes.

Resident Craftsman (second year student) and teacher Kevin Kelly demonstrates set up of the bandsaw during the Machine Room Safety orientation. On the third day of the program following sharpening and hand tool tuning demonstrations, students were given a thorough Machine Room Safety Orientation with Ian and Kevin. This orientation is presented early on and provides students with the confidence required to complete a millwork exercise, which immediately follows. Safety is discussed ongoing throughout the program.

Our students completed a millwork exercise where each had the opportunity to mill all fundamental exercise material oversized. This will allow the material to relax under their benches while they complete exercises. Each Saturday afternoon they will take the material they require for the coming week and mill it to final dimension. This is in keeping with how we approach the material for our projects.

Walker Savage from Seattle Washington tuning up his block plane. Students are given the necessary information and opportunity to tune up and sharpen each of the required hand tools, which will be used throughout the year.

Dan Cearley from San Jose California grinds a plane iron using the hand grinder. Students are introduced to this very sensitive and effective tool on the first day when we begin sharpening. I have found most students who are used to power grinders find it an easy transition.

Michael Miller from Half Moon Bay British Columbia uses shooting board to plane chamfers on his plane ramps. Students will be making shooting boards this coming week. In addition to hand planes and chisels, students will make several implements while at our school which are used daily in our craft.

Resident Craftsman (second year student) Doug Ives cleans up the through tenons on serving tray stand. Doug hosted first Elephants at his new home in lower Gibsons. Students, Alumni, faculty, family and friends were treated to some great food and an incredible view of the harbor. Craftsman alumni Brent Curry made the journey all the way from Bainbridge Island Washington to join us.

Robert lectures on the subtleties of making fine planes.

Eric Copeland, from Richmond Hill Ontario takes his first shavings with his wooden smoother. Eric has completed his first two planes, a smoother and a jointer and has moved onto the Perfect Board Exercise. Eric is making the journey with his wife Ericka who is working at the Sechelt Animal Hospital.

Throughout the program, students are encouraged to develop a sensible balance between the use of hand and machine tools. In keeping with this philosophy, Dan brought in his personal coffee hand grinder for use at the shop. Dan purchased the grinder when he was doing anthropology work in Guatemala where power outages were frequent. Michael arranged for the Straight Coffee distributor to drop by. We now have the finest beans available on the coast delivered to our door where they are hand ground, brewed and enjoyed. Straight Coffee roast their own beans and is located just down the road in Wilson Creek. They distribute only fair trade, shade grown beans.

Adam Larson from Edmonton Alberta takes his first shavings with wooden smoother. Adam was on our waiting list and was informed less than a month before the start of the program that we had a cancellation. He and his wife Jodie, who is expecting a baby in mid October, dropped everything to join us this fall. Another example of the commitment and the sacrifices our students and their families make to attend our school. We are very grateful to have Adam and Jodie with us and look forward to having another baby around.

Matt Hales from England via Vancouver uses his shop made hammer to adjust his wooden smoother. Matt is very new to this craft however he has the right approach to the craft and is a fine fit here at the school.

Douglas from Gibsons British Columbia takes his first shavings with his wooden smoother. Douglas and his wife Danielle had their first child a little more than a month ago. Douglas’ eyes light up when he speaks of his young family.

Paul from Crested Butte Colorado hones one of his irons at his sharpening station. Students have sharpening stations adjacent to their benches to encourage frequent honing. Paul and his wife Robyn have made the journey together. Paul is an avid fly fisherman and has offered to provide Robert with a few lessons while here at the school.

Ed from Kamloops British Columbia takes his first shavings with his wooden smoother. Ed is another of our students who is very new to our craft. Our small class size here at Inside Passage allow us to accept students of all levels of experience provided they share a passion for the craft and approach it in a sensitive manor. Typically the level of experience ranges from none to thirty-five years!

Resident Craftsman (second year student) Juan Carlos Fernandez arrived back from Caracas Venezuela. His wife Beatrice returns from Venezuela at the end of the month. We are grateful to have Juan Carlos back, with his fine hand skills, exceptional eye and developed aesthetic; our students have a great deal to learn from this aspiring craftsman.

Ryan from Wetaskiwan Alberta takes his first shavings with his wooden smoother. Ryan has been working in an industry that is philosophically at odds with the approach we take with our craft. He suggested to me on the day we met that he is looking for a life changing experience here at the school.

Ian demonstrates bench and plane use. Ergonomics play a very important role in our work. Ian is nearing completion of his shop and is expecting the delivery of his Felder full combination machine this week. This is an exciting time for this gifted young craftsman and teacher. This is Ian’s second year teaching at our school. Yvonne and I are very grateful to have him with us.

Daisuke from Nishio-shi Aichi-ken Japan takes his first shavings with his wooden smoother. Daisuke another of our students who is just beginning his journey as a craftsman, we are pleased that we can begin his journey with him.

Robert demonstrated the making of irons and chip breakers this week as a side activity. Understanding this simple process, which requires minimal tools and materials readily available provides students with the necessary skills to make irons for specific tasks that are not commercially available.

Our second Elephants took place at Varco beach just down the road from the school. Where we were treated to another lovely sunset. This week students, alumni, faculty, family and friends will gather at the co housing in Roberts Creek where Gary Kent, our Relief Teacher will be hosting Elephants. Robert was unable to join Gary for the College of the Redwoods Twenty Fifth Anniversary reunion and show which took place during the first week of our Craftsman Program. Congratulations College of the Redwoods on twenty-five years of quality craft education.

Just a note to thank you for an excellent course. Clear instructions, well-paced and meticulous within a relaxed environment. You have a great facility in an outstanding location.

I really enjoyed my time at the school; it certainly exceeded my expectations. Robert is an excellent teacher and his passion for fine work is evident throughout the courses. Every time the students showed an interest in a topic outside the confines of the course Robert was eager to share additional knowledge and responded enthusiastically to any questions we had. Both Michael and Cody were also excellent teachers and craftsman.

The classes were small enough that even when they were full there was still plenty of opportunity for individual instruction. The shop and the bench room were well laid out and equipped and the tools available for purchase at the school were top quality and well priced. Robert was also very generous with his own tools, so that students could try out a variety tools before deciding to purchase.

One of the biggest benefits of the classes were the presence of the craftsman students in the shop, they were a wealth of knowledge and it was a pleasure to watch them work, to discuss techniques and to see which tools they used. Yvonne was also exceptionally organized and kept the courses running smoothly. Everyone at the school was very open and friendly creating a great environment for learning.

I look forward to taking more courses at the school. Thanks again for your hospitality while I was in ‘the Creek’.

Artisan A Hand & Machine Tools from Left Robert, Neil, Craig, Ryan, Dita, Taran, Nerissa, Kevin, Luc & Ian.

Craig, one of our six-week Artisan Program students set the knives on the Jointer. Craig has really embraced the hands on approach at our school. He has spent a great deal of time refining and tuning his hand tools proving that finely tuned tools are easier to use and give exceptional results.

Luc takes end grain shavings. Luc, also a six-week Artisan Program student is a carpenter from Alberta. Luc has a keen interest in entrance door construction. In an effort to address students specific need we will be adding the door joinery presented in the Craftsman Program to Artisan D Joinery as both Luc and Dita intend on pursuing door making once they complete the Artisan Program. Luc treated the class to a case of mangos this past week.

Writing on the bathroom wall during the planing exercise.

Ian demonstrates the adjustment of on of our two domestic General Planers.

Taran takes initial shavings with his finely tuned spoke shave. Taran is from northern British Columbia where he has been a university student. Taran is very new to our craft and is already enjoying his new acquired set of skills.

During Robert’s lunchtime walk he came across a hand grinder being given away at a yard sale. The grinder was brought back to the school and a draw was held. Dita, another of our six-week Artisan Program students won the draw. Students are required to grind their first iron on the school’s hand grinder after which time they may use the power grinder if they choose. To date students have remained with the hand grinder and many have sourced them out for their own shops after leaving the school.

“I live in a beautiful place, I work at something I love and my demands on the worlds resources are very meager. What is so unusual about this idyllic circumstance is that there is plenty of room for more to join.” John Brown.

Artisan B Plane Making & Surfaces from left Robert, Bill, Luc, Craig, Neil, Ryan, Dan, Nerissa, Kenje, Taran, Ian, Dita, Ryan, Kevin & Kevin.

Very sweet first shavings from Dita’s first wooden hand plane. Dita and her partner Francis operate Victoria Wood Studio and are the makers of fine gates and passageways. For more information visit their website at www.victoriawoodstudio.com.

Bill takes his first shavings with his wooden smoother. This is Bills second visit to our school. Bill was here for Jim Budlong’s Drawer Making & Fitting last August. After leaving our school last summer he made a workbench where he continues to develop his skills as a craftsman.

Kenji takes first shavings with his wooden smoother. Kenji is here for two weeks and came on the referral of another of our students with whom he works. Kenji has been a good fit with our most enthusiastic group.

Ryan begins shaping of a plane. Ryan is here for the six-week Artisan Program and has been fascinated with woodworking most of his life and it shows in his work.

Neil dry assembles first plane. Neil is from Sechelt and is another six-week Artisan Program student. He just completed five years of University and really enjoys working with his hands. He has a great deal of enthusiasm and has been a pleasure to teach.

Kevin cuts shoulders for his cross pin on the bandsaw. This is Kevin’s second visit this summer. Kevin is an avid woodworker originally from Zimbabwe.

Nerissa with plane ready for locator pins. Nerissa is from Whitehorse Yukon where she owns and operates a large Artisan Cooperative. Next week she will be the first student to complete the six-week Artisan Program over separate sessions.

Happy Birthday Kevin! A special thank you to Kevin’s sister for giving us the heads up!

The Mandela, described as a geometric or pictorial design usually enclosed in a circle, representing the entire universe. It is used in meditation and ritual in Buddhism and Hinduism. Each summer in Roberts Creek a group of local artists and members of the community create a masterpiece just five minutes from our school. The outline is now complete, watch for updates in the coming weeks.

After Hours

Elephants was held on Friday afternoon after class. This week we had a special guest. Owen, one of the first Artisan Program graduates and his wife Susan from Alberta joined us for our Friday night gathering. It leaves me with a great sense of gratitude to have alumni of our school and their families visit.

Student’s in our Artisan Program are given access to the school on Saturdays, generally for hand tools only. As a bonus for enthusiastic students Robert offered a chair scrape making class.

Next Week

Dovetails and Tool Making

Drawer fitted to one of our student cabinets.

Paring chisel made from tulipwood and file.

The Benchroom This Week…

July23, 2007

New addition to the machine room at Inside Passage. A vintage Poitras shaper outfitted with a router collet. Poitras was a Canadian company who merged with General Canada who produced this shaper until 2004. We are very fortunate two have two of these simple yet very sturdy and functional machines.

Resident Craftsman

Kevin resaws veneers on the bandsaw. Kevin who is a graduate of the College of the Redwoods Fine Woodworking Program has joined us for a second year of study. Kevin hit the ground running and is in the midst of a cabinet on a stand of doussie, Port Orford cedar, spalted and figured local maple.

Juan Carlos with glued up panel. Juan Carlos and his wife Beatrice have returned to Venezuela for the summer before he returns to complete his second year of study at the school.

Kevin discusses wood graphics with Artisan students. One of the many benefits to having resident craftsman around is the sharing of knowledge.

Juan Carlos’ wall cabinet with drawer fitting underway. Juan Carlos has a few days of fine tuning when he returns before this piece will be available in our gallery. Juan Carlos has a fine eye for design and has developed into an outstanding craftsman we are expecting big things from him this fall. Juan Carlos celebrated his 40th birthday this past month.

Doug Ives, our third resident craftsman, has recently bought a lovely heritage home in lower Gibsons and will be joining us at the school next month.

Schedule 2008

Artisan Program May 19-June 27 Inside Passage Faculty

• Artisan A Hand & Machine Tools May 19-23 Inside Passage Faculty
• Artisan B Plane Making & Surfaces May 26-30 Inside Passage Faculty
• Artisan C Dovetails & Tool Making June 2-6 Inside Passage Faculty
• Artisan D Joinery June 9-13 Inside Passage Faculty
• Artisan E Veneers & Curves June 16-20 Inside Passage Faculty
• Artisan F Hardware & Finishing June 23-27 Inside Passage Faculty

• Guest Faculty June 30- July 4 Ric Allison Design
• Guest Faculty July 7-11 Michael Burns Joinery
• Guest Faculty David Welter to be announced

Artisan Program July 14-August 22 Inside Passage Faculty

• Artisan A Hand & Machine Tools July 14-18 Inside Passage Faculty
• Artisan B Plane Making & Surfaces July 21-25 Inside Passage Faculty
• Artisan C Dovetails & Tool Making July 28-August 1 Inside Passage Faculty
• Artisan D Joinery August 4-8 Inside Passage Faculty
• Artisan E Veneers & Curves August 11-15 Inside Passage Faculty
• Artisan F Hardware & Finishing August 18-22 Inside Passage Faculty

Craftsman Program September 9, 2008 – May 17, 2009

Since announcing the 2008 Schedule last week, we have already received a number of registrations for next years Artisan, Guest Faculty and Craftsman Programs. For More information or if you would like to register please call:
Inside Passage School of Fine Woodworking: 1.877.943.9663

Registrations can also be faxed to: 1.604.885.9711 fax line

The Benchroom This Week…

August 20, 2007

During evening hours, Kenji carved the crosspin of his jointer plane with a leaf. Kenji embraced the attention to detail aspect of the Artisan Program. We look forward to his next visit.

Artisan C Dovetails and Tool Making from Left Mark, Kevin, Robert, Luc, Kenji, Nerissa, Dita, Craig, Dan, Neil, Melinda, Taran, Ryan and Ian.

Knives made by JK out of old rifflers. This week students learned the simple process of taking old files and giving them new life by making them into chisels and knives used during the program.

Mark lays out his half lapped pins with his shop made bevel gauge. This was Mark’s third program at the school this summer and always a pleasure.

Kenji with his first ever set of hand cut dovetails. Beautifully done!

Melinda fits her shop made paring chisel with a handle. Melinda is from Victoria and did some beautiful work while at the school. We look forward to her next visit.

Neil pares his pins with a shop made chisel. Neil is from Sechelt has shown real dedication to the program by working a full time job in the evenings so that he could attend classes during the day.

Nerissa cleans up a set of tails. Nerissa is our first student to achieve the Artisan Program certificate out of sequence. Nerissa donated a special phone and speaker system to the school to help better facilitate JK’s lectures. Her smiling face has been dearly missed around the shop since her departure. Once students have completed the Artisan Program they can complement their education with guest faculty or our Craftsman Program. Next year’s guest faculty includes Michael Burns, Ric Allison and David Welter.

Ryan cleans up a set of pins. Ryan is a perfectionist and has an amazing attention to detail. He has developed some very fine hand skills. If we had room this fall we would take him in a second. We are pleased that he will be joining us for next year’s Craftsman Program.

Luc’s shop made bevel gauge and Dita’s shop made paring chisel. During the Artisan Program students explore tool making. During Artisan C Dovetails and Tool Making students make a bevel gauge and paring chisel, both used to make their drawers. Many go on to make several chisels and knives.

The bottom and back of Craig’s drawer. The very kind of workmanship we have come to expect from Craig. In this program each student learned the process of cutting through and half lapped dovetails by hand, making and fitting a drawer as well as tool making which included chisels and knives and bevel gauges.

Jim’s lecture this week dealt with drawer making and fitting including stock selection and preparation, cutting dovetails, assembly, making and fitting the bottom and fitting.

Carter, Robert’s nephew cuts some sweet dovetails. On the Sunday between classes, after he and Tadi helped to clean the shop, Carter received a lesson in dovetailing.

Tadi, Robert & Yvonne’s daughter standing next to her painting with the community Mandela completed on a rare overcast day on the Sunshine Coast.

Artisan D Joinery from left Kevin, Ian, Robert, Luc, Dita, Craig, Taran, Dan, Ryan, Francis and Robbie.

Jim’s first lecture this week dealt with Mortise and Tenon construction including, stub, haunched and through.

Roberts first assembly for his chair glued up. In keeping with the topic of joinery, Robert brought the group into his benchroom to discuss dialing in the fit of mortise and tenon joinery.

Taran positions his doweling jig for doweling exercise. This week, the students learned this very simple yet accurate method of cabinet joinery.

Ian demonstrates cleaning out of groove for frame and panel exercise. Ian is in the process of pouring the floor for his shop and has already begun to acquiring machines including a restored vintage Davis & Wells jointer.

Luc fits twin double haunched mortise and tenon for sample entrance door. In the Artisan Program we have built in flexibility so that students can focus on the aspects of the program that are most important to their future aspirations. Luc and Dita both are exploring the possibilities which exist in entrance door making.

Dita makes adjustments to her twin, double haunched mortise and tenon sample door joinery. The finished joint provides the student with a very effective marketing tool. The sample joint can be presented to clients when discussing integrity of our work.

Dan rips drawer sides to width on the bandsaw. This is Dan’s fourth program this summer. Already an accomplished woodworker, he has been a good fit given the philosophy of craft taught at our small school. We enjoyed very much having him attend our school.

On the Sunday between programs, it brought back memories having Yvonne assist me on the front to back assembly of my chair.

Entrance door joinery by Dita and Luc underway. This joinery is based on doors that Robert built and was originally presented during the Craftsman Program. Given the interests of our Artisan students, it was reintroduced as an optional exercise.

Craig’s doweling and frame and panel exercise complete. During this program each student uses dowel, frame and panel and spline joinery to make a small wall cabinet.

Craig’s stub, haunched and through exercise joinery. Nicely fit with final cleanup of through and wedged tenon remaining. We make a concerted effort to introduce students to a variety of woods and their properties while at the school.

Jim lectured twice this week. His first lecture dealt with mortise and tenon joinery, the second with doweling and frame and panel. The cabinet pictured covers many of the aspects covered in our Artisan Program including surface preparation, doweling, splines, mortise and tenon, frame and panel, drawer making and fitting, hardware making and fitting and finishing.

Artisan E Veneers & Curves from left Neil, Craig, Jim, Jerry, Mac, Taran, Kevin, Luc, Dita, Ian and Ryan.

Jim’s second lecture this week dealt with veneer. Each time Jim presents a topic at our school he includes new ways to accomplish the task at hand.

In keeping with the topic at hand this week, resident craftsman and teacher Kevin Kelly edge glues the doussie veneers for his cabinet

Following the coopering exercise, Kevin demonstrates setup of bandsaw for cutting veneer.

Jerry cuts his veneers on the bandsaw. Jerry has a shop full of wood at home which he will be making the most of when he returns to Idaho. This was Jerry’s first program at Inside Passage. We will look forward to his return.

Mac shoots the edges of his veneer with one of our student jointer planes. This is Mac’s second visit to our school. We will look forward to his next visit when he returns for Artisan D Joinery next summer.

Jim who is from Sarnia Ontario cuts laminates for tapered lamination exercise. Jim took full advantage of his time here at the school taking part in the optional Saturday hours. Jim made a chair scrape of jatoba and brass.

On the optional Saturday, students made shooting boards. A useful jig in any shop.

In Artisan E Veneers and Curves students are introduced to tapered laminations on of the more advanced methods taught during the Artisan Program. Each of our student’s leaves the program with a form and tapered lamination, both made using a sensible combination of hand and machine tools taught at the school.

Students are taught how to make a coopered door including edge jointing which is a wonderful segue to form making where students make a curved form and use it to create a curved veneer panel complete with shop sawn veneer, baked in and applied edges.

Next Week is Artisan F Hardware & Finish. In this program students are introduced to hardware including the making and fitting of hinges, flipper floppers, consoles, pulls and finishing including oil, polish and wax. This program will wrap up our Artisan & Guest Faculty for the summer of 2007.

The Benchroom This Week…

August 27, 2007

Ryan roughs out curved veneered panel form on the bandsaw before heading back to the tranquility of his bench and wooden hand planes. Ryan intends on remaining on the coast and attending next year’s Craftsman Program. We wish we had room for this fine young man this fall. He showed great focus and progress while at the school and asked thoughtful, intelligent questions. His warm smile and gentle nature will be missed at the school. He is also a fine cook. Francis, Dita’s partner shared with the group some banana bread he made for her after she did some grocery shopping for him. It was so nice watching this group bond. One of the most enjoyable parts of being involved with our small school is the strong sense of community. Ryan and his classmates are welcome additions to our family.

Ian assists Taran with the setup of a new plane. Taran will be returning to Environmental studies at the University of Northern British Columbia this fall and will be setting time aside to do some woodworking including carving which has become a focus for him. Taran began making a handle for an antique traditional Polish walking stick axe for his partner in his final week at the school. Taran enjoyed the hands on approach taught at our school. One the final day he told me that he feels a close connection to the craft. This brought a smile to my face.

Dita shapes the handle of her chair scrape, an optional Saturday exercise. This week students made wooden spoke shaves after hours. Dita and her partner Francis operate Victoria Wood Studio. Dita is a graduate of the Camosun College Fine Furniture Program and the maker of fine passageways. She will use some new and refined skills to expand her product line including passage doors. Francis, runs the business side of things, allowing Dita to concentrate on the craft. Since arriving at the school Dita has ordered a traditional European Bench like the ones used at our school and a slot mortiser. She is returning to her shop with the intention of setting up a separate benchroom for handwork. If you are in the market for a fine passageway or passage door visit their website at www.victoriawoodstudio.com. Dita was another of our students who took full advantage of their time here at the school including optional evening and Saturday hours. Dita, Francis and Robbie, their beautiful golden lab, will be missed by this community.

Kevin with his veneered back panel out of the press with seamless edge joints. Kevin has been a tremendous asset to the school and has been very well received by our students. His warm, patient nature and attention to detail has made him a welcome addition to our teaching staff. Kevin is using his carpentry skills this to install a wood floor in our benchroom making it easier on our student’s legs and backs not to mention cutting edges that have the misfortune to hit the floor!

Neil practices installation of shop made latches and hardware. Neil showed a lot of dedication by working evenings so he could attend classes during the day. Neil’s mother Victoria and her family are showing an amazing amount of support by assisting him in setting up a small shop at their Sechelt home. Victoria informed me that a close friend of the family is buying Neil a bench, a very thoughtful gesture.

Luc bores the screw holes for his shop made brass knife hinges. Of all the students who have walked through the doors of Inside Passage School of Fine Woodworking none will be missed more than Luc. Always willing to lend a hand, he truly exemplifies what this school is all about. He enjoys his work and it shows in his work. Luc plans on incorporating many of the skills learned at the school in his own work when he returns to Edmonton Alberta. His has talents extend beyond the bench; he makes a fine salad not to mention an exceptional cup of coffee (which got me through one tired afternoon). On the last day of the Artisan Program he even volunteered for the hideous job of vacuuming out the filters on the dust collector. I am sure his girls will be glad to have him home but his bench, and I will miss him.

One of Craig’s completed shop made hinges. In the final week of the Artisan Program, Artisan F Hardware & Finish students are introduced to the making and installation of shop made hardware including hinges, flipper floppers, pressure buttons, pulls and consoles. Students also are given the opportunity to experiment with the simple finishes taught at our school including oil mixtures, polish (shellac) and wax. Artisan students are given the opportunity to practice many of the topics covered in our Craftsman Program without having to commit to a program lasting several months.

Ian demonstrates finishing methods during the final week of the Artisan Program. Ian’s shop is progressing well. It will be strange not having Ian at his bench at the school this fall as he has been with us since the school’s inception (He was our first registration of the Craftsman Program in our first year). Ian has been and will continue to be a significant part of our school. He will continue teaching two days a week and will work out of his shop just down the road from the school.

Craig opens the mouth on one of his wooden planes made during the Artisan Program. Craig took full advantage of his time here at the school arriving each morning from Monday through Saturday at just after 7am and seldom if ever left the school before 9pm in the evening. I am sure if we opened the shop on Sundays he would have been there. We all need one day to process and catch up on the things that go undone while we concentrate on our craft. He completed each of the exercises including all optional Saturday activities at an extremely high level and did with it all focus and a gentle smile. Craig’s karma will be dearly missed.

Artisan Program August 2007 from Left Ryan, Taran, Neil, Kevin, Luc, Robert, Dita, Ian and Craig. Every once and a while a special group of people come through our doors. This has been one such group, it was a wonderful way to finish out this year’s summer programming at our small school.

Robert’s chair with arm joinery underway. The chair will unfortunately not be ready in time for the College of the Redwoods Twenty Fifth Anniversary Show but will be completed early this fall and presented to this year’s Craftsman Program Class and exhibited along side student and faculty work at our third annual open house on January 26th 2008 at the grand opening of the Jim & Britta Krenov Gallery in Roberts Creek. Watch for more information in future editions of Benchroom this Week.

Please note that our school will be closed the week of August 27, 2007 while we have a wood floor installed in the benchroom. Yvonne will not be in the office this week as she and Robert will be taking a few days to go camping with their family before their son starts college and the Craftsman Program begins. We will be returning voice mail and e-mail the following week. Thank you for your patience.

Be Well,
Robert