with Drew Langsner

During this fast-paced course you learn how to handcraft a Windsor chair typical of those made in Philadelphia and New York in the late 1700's. The project is a bow-back side chair. It is our opinion that starting with a more difficult pattern, such as a sack-back or continuous arm Windsor, is a mistake for a beginning class. The bow-back has been selected so that you will have an opportunity to learn and practice the many challenging techniques of Windsor chairmaking. (At Country Workshops we do not supply pre-made turnings, or take other shortcuts, such as using a jigged drill press for boring the leg and spindle mortises.) Once you have some skill in the various Windsor chairmaking techniques and have an understanding of how to deal with the many different angles found in these chairs it becomes realistic to make a Windsor in any other style, or to design your own version.
The course begins with riving and shaving red oak spindles and a back bow, which is then steamed and bent. This is followed by a lesson in turning the hardwood legs and stretchers at a lathe. A full day is allowed for saddling classic shield pattern seats, which are hewed with a hollowing adze, and then finished with an inshave, travisher, drawknife, and spokeshave. (Use of these specialized tools is provided for the class; we discourage buying them before the course.) Assembly begins when each component is shaped and dried to its appropriate moisture content. Each student completes a chair utilizing components that are made during the class.
Because of the many craft skills required for making an American Windsor, we suggest that you take ladderback chairmaking or the rustic Windsor class as a prerequisite course.
Country Workshops supplies all of the specialty tools used for making traditional Windsor chairs. Five days; limited to 4 students. The $975 tuition includes materials, a private room, and meals.

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E-mail:
Drew Langsner
Phone:
828-656-2280 (M-F, 9-6 Eastern time)