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Dutch Tool Chest

By decommission

October 15-17, 2021

This handsome and portable tool chest is a great three-day introduction to several bedrock hand-tool joinery techniques: dovetails, dados, rabbets and shiplaps. Plus you’ll learn rules for carcase construction (and when to break them), how to cut a fingernail moulding, raise a panel, use cut-nails and install either butt hinges or strap hinges (your choice!). By the end of Day 3, you’ll be able to pop all your tools in your new chest (which fits in the back of almost any car) for your drive home. Better yet, you’ll have learned the joinery skills to build many future projects!

Beginners are welcome.

Participants need to bring a small kit of tools for the class (list provided and we’ll have extras of tools if your kit isn’t complete).  Materials wise, the wood and fasteners are included in the class.  Students select and bring their own hardware.

Dutch Tool Chest Class Tool List

  • Cutting/Marking Gauge (I prefer a wheel marking gauge, such as the Tite-Mark, but any will do)
  • Dividers (two pair if you have ‘em)
  • Marking knife (Ideally, one that has one flat side, but any will do)
  • Dovetail template/marking gauge or bevel gauge**
  • Dovetail saw
  • Coping saw
  • Bevel-edge chisels (ideally 1/2” and 3/4” – but bring whatever you have)
  • Mallet
  • Crosscut-filed sash saw (or other large-ish crosscut backsaw) or panel saw
  • Large router plane
  • Hammer
  • 3/32” drill bit
  • Countersink
  • Screwdriver (slotted)
  • Block plane
  • Smooth plane
  • Ear plugs/ear protection
  • Double square (a.k.a. diemaker’s square or machinist’s square) – but only if you already have one. I’m happy to share.
  • And any other tools you just can’t bear to be without. For me, that includes my waterstones and honing guide, a 6” adjustable square, and multiple .5mm mechanical pencils.

 

Strap hinges or Butt Hinges
The 9-1/2” x 3-1/2” spear point unequal strap hinges here
http://www.leevalley.com/US/hardware/page.aspx?p=41912&cat=3,41241,41262

These are, in my opinion, the best butt hinges for the price. You can buy cheaper, but…
https://www.horton-brasses.com/PB-409.asp

Lifts
http://www.leevalley.com/US/Hardware/page.aspx?p=40222&cat=3,70806,43566,43570

Full hardware kit
By the time this class takes place, Horton Brasses (https://www.horton-brasses.com/) should have a blacksmith-forged hardware kit available for this tool chest, as I’m working on it with them for a book. It will include strap hinges, lifts and a hasp (the hinges and hasp are visible on the unpainted chest shown above)

Megan Fitzpatrick

Dutch Tool Chest

October 15-17, 2021

$875

To Register: Call Aaron Beale at 859-985-3224 or email at bealeaa@berea.edu

Woodworking Class In Session

Course Descriptions

By decommission

Foundations of Furniture Making with Rob Spiece

November 18-23, 2025

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Intro to Bowl Turning with Matt Monaco

March 3-8, 2025
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Artful Joinery with Rob Spiece

March 24-29, 2025

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Woodworking FUNdamental with Katie Bister

April 12-13, 2025

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The Handled Broom with Amanda lee Lazorchack

April 18-20, 2025

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Foundations of Furniture Making with Rob Spiece

April 21-26, 2025

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Three Legged Stool with Rob Spiece and Katie Bister

May 9-11, 2025

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Tambour Doors and Tiny Drawers with Larissa Huff

May 19-24, 2025

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Hickory Bark Harvest with Andy Glenn

May 31, 2025

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Greenwood Lounge Chair with Andy Glenn

June 2-7, 2025

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Next Steps: Sculptural Containers with Beth Ireland

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TURNT! with Beth Ireland

June 23-27, 2025

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People Collection Rocker with Rob Spiece & Katie Bister

July 7-12, 2025

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Foundations of Furniture Making with Rob Spiece

July 21-26, 2025

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Facility

By About

Our Facility

The Woodworking School at Pine Croft is housed in a timber frame structure designed/built by local woodworker Don Weber along with Kelly Mehler and located within the College’s 9000-acre forest.

This impressive two-story shop is nestled into the foothills of the Berea College forest. With large windows both up and down stairs that fill the rooms with natural light and views of the forest, it is the perfect spot to get away and do some woodworking. There is even a creek just behind the shop that brings some forest creatures to our doorstep.

Upstairs we have a benchroom fitted with 10 benches for students and instructors to work at. This is also where the majority of our hand tools are stored and used. Upstairs we also have a designated sharpening station as well as a small office/library room. When the weather is nice we set up tables outside to eat lunch but when its uncomfortably hot or raining we’ll eat lunches upstairs at the benches.

The downstairs machine room offers a full selection with offerings from Felder and Saw Stop and provides all the machining capability needed for our courses or the running of a small professional shop.

Although we have a few midi lathes at Pine Croft, our turning classes will take place at Berea College’s main campus within the Student Craft Woodcraft building.  Woodcraft’s recently constructed hand tool room contains 7 lathes and the required tools for all our projects.

Home

By About
 

Intro to Bowl Turning

March 3-8, 2025 with Matt Monaco

 

Artful Joinery - A Shaker Inspired Side Table

March 24 - 29, 2025 with Rob Spiece

 

Woodworking FUNdamentals

April 12-13, 2025 with Katie Bister

 

The Handled Broom - Sculpture and Tool

April 18-20, 2025 with Amanda Lee Lazorchack

 

Foundations of Furniture Making

April 21-26 and July 21-26, 2025 with Rob Spiece

 

Build a Pair of People Collection Stools

May 9-11, 2025 with Rob Spiece and Katie Bister

 

Tambour Doors and Tiny Drawers

May 19-24, 2025 with Larissa Huff

 

Hickory Bark Harvest

May 31, 2025 with Andy Glenn

 

Greenwood Lounge Chair

June 2-7, 2025 with Andy Glenn

 

Next Steps: Sculptural Containers

June 16-20, 2025 with Beth Ireland

 

TURNT!

June 23-27, 2025 with Beth Ireland

 

People Collection Rocker

July 7-12, 2025 with Rob Spiece and Katie Bister

 

The Woodworking School at Pine Croft

Strengthening Berea College's Commitment to Craft

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