Woodcraft Classes

[SeanStuart]

What are your thoughts on the woodworking classes at the Woodcraft stores? Most look to be around $175, and that seems steep to me, unless the class is pretty good. Thanks.

[KenOfCary]

I took the turning 101 class that Alan teaches. It was pretty good. He introduced the basics of spindle turning and sharpening the tools.

Last year I'd say expect to pay a little over $100/day for a class but it does seem to be going up like a lot of things.

- Ken.

[MarkDarby]

I'm personally a fan of the classes they offer at NC State --- great value for the money.

[Barron]

I have taken one at the Johnson City store (the one closest to me) and several in Springfield, VA when I lived up there, and learned a lot in each of them.

[SeanStuart]

Another forum had positive things to say about the classes, so I may give one a go. The chip carving class looks like a god opportunity to learn.

I was wrong about the prices, they range from $75 - $175, which is much more reasonable.

Mark, I wish they did some weekend classes at NC State, they look really good. http://www.ncsu.edu/crafts/classes/wood.html

[tryingtokeepmyfingers]

I guess it really depends how you learn.... I guess it also depends on what class you are taking also... I took the Lumber dimensioning class at the Charlotte store and it really did not do anything to really help me... sometimes if you have the tools already in the shop watching youtube videos and reading other woodworking blogs might be more helpful. If you do not have the tools then taking classes could be a cheap way to get a feel for woodworking and if you want to take the time to invest in the tools and help you decide what kind of woodworking you want to do... taking a lathe class or scrollsaw class might show you real quick what you like or do not like without making the investment in tools you are not going to enjoy and have to get rid of later...

in the class I took we ended up using the band saw to cut curves when I would have gotten more use out of resawing on the bandsaw since that is more related to dimensioning and instead of using a sander to round corners on wood using a drum sander to thickness wood would have been much better then walking away with a push stick.... I would have rather accomplished walking out with a set of wooden blocks dimensioned the correct sizes.

I guess the answer depends on the class structure,who is teaching it and what you are expecting out of it.... if I was going to take a class again I would want to talk to the teacher before hand and get more information on how much time of the class would be spent on what

otherwise there is way too much to learn from the nice people here and sometimes I can pay it back a bit and help someone else so this site is much better then a class for me

[cskipper]

Years ago I took a scroll saw Christmas ornament class. I really knew very little about woodworking and needed some "hands on" experience to see if I wanted to invest in a saw. It was a fun class and I was hooked. On the other hand I took a class on intarsia and never felt that I got a handle on it. I've finish one piece but it seems to take much longer than it does for the others (I've never finished the bear from that class).

Later I thought using a lathe would be fun and realized that that could become a huge investment in tools really fast. So I took a pen class and a beginning bowl turning class and learned a lot. Some of the things I learned were excellent, some bad - which also made me ask others and learn more safe ways to use the equipment. I made a lot of pens for gifts and sale that year. Hopefully I'll get some more made now that we are starting to get settled in back at home.

I agree with the above post about asking the instructor for more details of what will be covered. Most of the instructors I've met would be happy to talk or email you with more information. I didn't ask, but since I was totally clueless anyway and I knew I could learn things. It is an investment, both in money and time so a little questioning ahead is a good idea.

[ScottM]

Another forum had positive things to say about the classes, so I may give one a go. The chip carving class looks like a god opportunity to learn.

I was wrong about the prices, they range from $75 - $175, which is much more reasonable.

Mark, I wish they did some weekend classes at NC State, they look really good. http://www.ncsu.edu/crafts/classes/wood.html

If you are really interesting in a carving class check Klingspor in Raleigh. The store manager is a master carver. You won't get a better teacher then Paul.
http://www.woodworkingshop.com/calendar/

[SubGuy]

I think as far as price goes that it's probably due to insurance cost and corporate liability. I highly doubt that the instructors or the facility turns a huge profit on them. I think the idea is more to attract new customers and help people gain new skills. A what a better place to learn than a place you can buy all the tools to get started. I wonder how many people leave the class and head straight for the register for a new tool or supplies. I know that when I learn something new, I can't wait to get set up to do it at home. It's an ingenious marketing idea if you ask me. I'm sure even if they took a loss on the class, they would make up for it in boost of sales due to the class.

[SeanStuart]

I am Scott, thanks for the link!