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Ah, Thursday – day four of a woodworking class. This is the day that most students hit a wall. They take naps at their benches. They sneak off to their cars to lie down. They disappear in the middle of the day and don’t return until the next morning.

All these things (and more – enough for a book) have happened to me on day four.

On day four of the tool chest class at Kelly Mehler’s School of Woodworking, we are still pretending it is day three. It’s almost 7 p.m. and only one student has cashed in his chips (his family is here with small children, so he gets a pass).

I have to admit that this particular class – building “The Anarchist’s Tool Chest” – attracts a particularly rabid style of woodworker. I’ve offered to help catch a couple students up using power tools, and they have all turned me down.

However, tomorrow might quickly become “day four.” We have to build the lid of the chest, and this seems to break people’s spirit. After days of dovetailing panels, a frame-and-panel construction messes with their heads. So stay tuned.

— Christopher Schwarz


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Showing 5 comments
  • griffithpark

    Now that I’m back and no longer hyperventilating, the class was amazing.

    It took about 45 minutes on Monday to realize I’ve just been playing with my handtools. After an attitude adjustment, the learning commenced.

    Tomorrow night I approach the bench with a progression of exercises in mind, formed by the class.

    Money and time very well spent.

    Chuck

  • djmueller1

    A nice cold growler of IPA, brings all back to the fray. No power tools for sure, to save the day. Except the guy with his kids in tow – been there, I know.

  • Jonathan Szczepanski

    … and those cashed in chips turned into some fried dough 🙂

    Jonathan
    ==================

  • Marlon1

    Oh to be a fly on the wall.

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