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Japanese Woodworking
$1,175.00
February 21st to 25th, 2022 | 9:00am to 5:00pm
This 5 day course is all about Japanese woodworking. Learn all about the tools and how to use them to cut intricate and strong Japanese joinery. As part of this course you will receive your very own brand new Japanese hand plane.
- Materials are included
- Japanese hand plane included
See Details and Tool List Below
| Format | In-Person |
|---|---|
| Furniture Type | Japanese, Joinery |
| Skill Level | Beginner, Intermediate |
| Time Frame | Weekdays – Daytime |
Name: Japanese Woodworking
Instructor: Andrew Hunter
Skill Level: Beginner
Prerequisites: None
Format: 5 Day in-person course
February 21st to 25th, 2022
Class Description:
Traditional Japanese woodworking has much to offer, particularly to those of us in the West with an interest in using hand tools. Many western woodworkers have discovered the pleasure of using Japanese saws, but Japan’s remarkable culture of woodworking has much more to offer than just saws. In this five day class, professional furniture maker and instructor, Andrew Hunter, will go beyond the pull saw and introduce students to a wider perspective of Japanese woodworking.
The week will begin with an introduction to the tools. Japanese saws, planes and chisels will all be covered in detail. There will be demonstrations and exercises on how to set up, sharpen and use each tool to their fullest capacity – with an emphasis on integrating these techniques into a western shop.
Tuition for the class includes a brand new, high quality 54mm Japanese plane to take home. Andrew will work with students through each step of the process in setting up their new planes from out of the box to full working order. What seems like a simple tool, a blade and a block of wood, the Japanese plane (Kanna) is actually a very complex instrument with many subtle qualities and happens to be Andrew’s favorite tool! Watch out! We might even have friendly planing contest among the students and staff.
We’ll finish up the week by putting our tools to work laying out and cutting a kanawa-tsugi. This intricate scarf joint is a perfect exercise for getting started with Japanese joinery. Students will learn how to use centerlines and story sticks to make simple work of complex layouts and how to most efficiently use their hand tools to work to these lines.
Students are encouraged to bring their own Japanese tools to class. Andrew will offer feedback and assistance on getting them tuned and set up to work more efficiently. If you don’t have your own collection of Japanese tools (yet), no worries bring what you have. Andrew will also have a selection tools for students to try out and the Austin School of Furniture will have tools for purchase. The basic set of tools needed is detailed below.
Topics and skills covered will include:
- Type of Japanese tools
- Brief history of Japanese tools and woodworking
- Sharpening
- Tool setup and usage
- Planing, sawing, chiseling technique
- Introduction to Japanese joinery
- Scarf joint
- Planing contest
What you’ll need:
These tools are recommended. If you can bring your own set that is great. If not, the instructor and school will provide you with tools to use but you may have to share. As well, you can purchase many of these tools directly from the Austin School of Furniture.
- Japanese Hand Plane (Provided to you as part of this course)
- Saw for med-fine work. An inexpensive, replaceable blade Japanese Ryoba saw (rip and crosscut in one) in the 240mm size range is a good option.
- A set of chisels including at least: 12mm (1/2″), 15mm (5/8″) and around a 24mm (1″)
- Hammer or mallet for striking the chisel
- Sashigane (Japanese carpenter’s square). Any flat square will work, including drafting triangles
- A trusted straight edge ~12″
- Your favourite layout pencil (mine is a .5mm mechanical), and be sure to bring your glasses if you need them!
- Sharpening stones (optional)
- A Sumitsubo or ink line for snapping straight lines (optional)
