You’ve been following my blog about Marc Adams School of Woodworking (MASW) and are now waiting for photos from the final day of class. I will tell you that many of the projects look as they did when the class ended on Thursday. But the progress accomplished on Friday was outstanding.
In the Thursday entry, I mentioned the pranksters in class. During the discussion about drawers someone asked about installing metal drawer slides in this project. Needless to say, he heard a chorus of boos, but we did discuss why I would never attempt such an act and how the drawer building would need to change if someone were to install slides. The Questioner has broad shoulders and sustained the admonishment from the crowd.
Two of the men in the class went on a road trip to Indianapolis Woodcraft, and the whole drawer-slide episode is still fresh in their minds. They decided to purchase a pair of full-extension slides to add to my case. Upon arrival the next day, the slides were installed with double-stick tape and we all got a good chuckle. It was quite different from what I used to see.
In addition, I mentioned a use for blue painters tape that The Wood Whisperer would never have thought about. Marc Spagnuolos first article for (in August 2008) was The Magic of Masking Tape (issue #170). Marc uses painters tape to make veneer clamps and quick clamps.
One woodworker, who was in class to shape drawer fronts, decided that working without gloves would not be an option. The file was actually cutting his hands. To offset the mild abrasions, he covered his hand with blue tape. I must admit this was a first for me, although I have seen use of tape on fingertips when working large jobs of hand sanding. This case was no exception. Before the class wrapped up, this guy had the drawer fronts shaped and was ready for dovetails. This class was great, according to more than one participant.
Please take a moment to comment on any school experiences that stand out. Im not looking to bust any schools, so please dont mention names. Im interested in what separates a good experience from a bad experience. And given that experience, would you return?
p.s. Click here to see Teaching at Marc Adams Day One, Day Two, Day Three and Day Four, as well as Day Five.
