Weekend at MASW
Last weekend, my son Drew and I went to the Marc Adams School of Woodworking to take a Parent / Child wood turning class with Alan Lacer. As usual, Marc has the ability to create an environment that is just what is needed. Although you work your rear end off in the class, you are pampered and served to the point that you feel that you are at a spa. (well maybe not that good, but really close). This was the second Parent Child class that we have taken, but it was by far the best. Alan Lacer is great with kids and he is a great instructor. As both he and Marc pointed out, the point of this class was not as much to learn the ins and outs of wood turning, but more to actually do and complete some projects. And that is what we did. The class was full with 18 kids and about the same number of adults. There was a wide range in age and a majority of those in the class had never turned before. By the end of the weekend everyone had finished multiple projects. Drew really took to turning and he definitely has the bug. We plan on doing a lot more of it now that we are home. I am off today to buy a few odds and ends for the lathe, so he can get right back at it.
I am a big believer in hands on learning. I have read a lot of woodworking books in my time, but nothing beats working with a person who does it day in and day out. There are so many little tricks of the trade that can be passed on only when you are doing it hands on with an instructor. Marcs staff and instructors are the best of the best. That doesn’t mean that he just hires big names. It is not enough to be good, you also have to be a good instructor. Afterall, that is what the school is for. So his instructors are not only the best at what they do, but they are also very good at passing on their knowledge in an understandable way.
If you really want to increase your skill level, I highly recommend taking a class. If you are going to take the time and expense to take a class you should only go with the best and after seven classes with Marc, I would say that the Marc Adams School of Woodworking is the best.
Marc Adams School of Woodworking
By the way, I think I may pull out a quick August Project because, as part of my vacation, I will be spending a weekend at the Marc Adams School of Woodworking with my son. We will be taking a parent child woodturning class. So hopefully we will make a project or two. We are really looking forward to the class and I will write all about it when we return.
Almost There, but Not done!
Well, I would like to say that I completed the project in the first month. I have made a lot of progress and I feel good about what I have done. We have a lot going on this month with trying to sell our house and also a family vacation. So the odds were kind of stacked against me. Having said all of that, I have made a lot of progress. All the parts are cut out and ready for shaping or glueing. I think with one more week I could knock this project out.
The middle post is all milled and ready to go. The four sets of legs are ready for glue up and then shaping. The top is also ready for glue up. I have made a little change to the design and I will be using Festool Dominos instead of dowels in the legs. I will still use the doweles for the decorative parts.
I will be on Vacation for the next week, but I will plan on getting back at it on my return.
All in all, the 12 n 12 Challange is working for me. It is getting me out in the shop and making sawdust. I figure as long as I am out there working the schedule is not as important as long as progress is being made. I still plan on completing 12 projects in one year.
Look for more next week when I return.
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