Windsor Chair Seat Carving Video with Peter Galbert - How to Use an Adze - Part 1

I promised to post video of Peter giving instruction on carving a seat during the class we had back in May. As you'll see, it all starts with the adze. Peter and Tim Manney collaborated to develop an adze specifically for carving seats (although it would also work just fine for bowls, etc.). I highly recommend it. I already owned an old school adze, but after giving Tim's a go I had to have one. It is so light and effective. I don't think his wait list is super long right now so if you need one it might be a good time to contact him.

Anyway, Peter does a nice job of explaining the function and use of an adze in this video. Enjoy!

Riving and Steam Bending Videos With Peter Galbert + Book Review

Peter and I had a great time with the class that was in the shop recently. I took the time to shoot a few videos and will be posting them up here in time. These aren't exactly instructional videos but you can sure learn a lot from these short clips. Pair this with his new book and you are not far off from making a chair.

Oh, by the way, here is an excerpt from my review of his new book from Lost Art Press.

"If green woodworking knowledge were money then Peter Galbert would be a millionaire and if you said to him "show me d'a money" he would show you this book"

I think that was one of the excerpts found on the inside first few pages of the book. So honored to be included in that list along with other well know reviewers. So humbled.

I really liked what Disney said, "An instant classic"

Along with A. J. Roubo who said, "Un homme après mon propre cœur"

Enough out of me just watch the videos and enjoy!

If you like this and want to see more then stay tuned. I'll get a few more up, hopefully, sooner rather than later. Then again I could just quote Peter after six days of instruction and say "Its all in the book" :)

Watch Peter Galbert Make A Windsor Chair In 30 Minutes!

Some of you are aware that Peter Galbert made a windsor chair with Tommy Mac on his show Rough Cut. I, like many of you, asked Peter where you can see this online. He didn't know. Funny how these thing go, right.

Well as it sometimes (always) goes around my house. I can't find something and I ask my wife where it is then two seconds later she has found it! Really?!?! Same thing happened here. I swear she catalogs the internet in her sleep. Google should hire her. She can find anything online that I can't. Enough about that. The point is, if you wanted to see this episode and couldn't find it... here it is.

Don't forget, I am hosting Peter in my shop to teach chairmaking classes this spring. The class is 6 days. The first class starts April 20th for the fan back and May 4th for the ballon back. These are the two chairs that are featured in his new book from Lost Art Press. They are the foundation in your future in chairmaking. 

There is only one space left in the ballon back and a couple still left in the fan back. Don't miss the boat. It is going to be a great time! See the full details on the classes and how to register in this previous post.

Enjoy the video!

RC504 Windsor Chair from Tommy Mac on Vimeo.

Windsor Chairmaking Classes with Peter Galbert At My Shop

I have been talking about having classes at my shop for a little while now. The wait is over! Peter Galbert is coming to teach two 6 day classes this spring. What's exciting about these classes is that they will feature the two chairs that will appear in Peter's upcoming book.

Each class will have six students and will have the chance to take either the class on the fan back side chair or the ballon back side chair. Don't be disappointed these classes are not on making an armchair. Trust me it will allow for much more in-depth instruction and give you a strong base to build on. The first class starts April 20th for the fan back and May 4th for the ballon back. Classes are $1300 which includes materials.

As many of you already know, Peter is an amazing teacher. I took a class with Pete some years ago and it had a huge impact on my work from there on out. I hope you can come and join us.

Since I am just hosting the classes at my shop you will need to contact Peter to register for the classes. You can contact him at peter@petergalbertchairmaker.com or 978-563-1425 to register or if you have any questions. If they are a success we hope to have more like it in the future.

Planemaking And Chairmaking Classes In The Works! *PLUS* Surprise Visitors To The Shop!

So, yesterday I had a nice surprise. If you keep up with chairmaker Glen Rundell then you know he has been touring the Eastern half of the United States over the past few weeks. Mostly hanging with Pete and the gang up in Massachusetts, doing the Lie-Nielsen open house (which I missed, ugh!) and things like that. Glen hails from down under in Melbourne. He has come a long way to get some fresh inspiration to take back home with him.

Anyway, Glen was in Virginia taking a class with Jeff Lefkowitz, who teaches the chairmaking courses for Brian Boggs and after the class they loaded up and came down for a visit to the shop. It was a very pleasant surprise.

Left to right; Claire, Caleb, Jeff, Glen

Truthfully, he gave me a day or so notice, so I had good motivation to clean up the shop. I am in the middle of paneling the walls. More on that later. And my wife made some enchiladas verdes as a special treat for lunch. Handmade corn tortillas, umm. She's a Canadian that cooks some good Tex-Mex. Got to love it! (I am really getting off track here)

As I filled them in on the goings on around here I realized I haven't been blogging much lately. I am not one for fluff or filler on the blog but I think maybe I should share with everyone else as well. As I was telling Glen and Jeff, I am planning on taking one half of my shop and dedicating it to a classroom and am almost halfway there. I get pushed by just about every craftsman I know, that I should be teaching classes. I get requests on an ongoing basis as well. I am finally coming around to the idea.

I am looking at, of course, teaching some planemaking classes. Possibly a four day class on making a pair of hollows and rounds and a rabbet plane. I may split these up as two different classes. These would be a really good start and you can make the majority of planes based on those two formats.

The other classes would be some introductory classes on chairmaking. One will be on making a Danish modern stool which will include lathe work, joinery and danish cord weaving. A two or three day class depending on size. The other will be a three leg windsor stool that will have lathe work, hand drilling, reaming and seat carving. Probably a three day class as well depending on size.

I am up in the air about prices as of yet. It has a lot to do with class size and demand. I have room for about six students at a time though I would tend to want the class sizes a bit smaller. We will see.

Send me any suggestions or classes you would prefer to see available so that I can plan accordingly. I am not asking for a commitment but if you are a reader of this blog and see a class here or something related to what I do that you would like to take at some point, then let me know. Your feedback will make a difference.

Thanks and I hope you are enjoying your summer!