5212 Pulaski Ave.
Philadelphia, Pa. 19144
215-849-5174
info@philadelphiafurnitureworkshop.com
Philadelphia Furniture Workshop


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Woodworking School,
Furniture Making Courses

Welcome to Philadelphia Furniture Workshop, a full service teaching studio for those interested in woodworking. PFW's goal is to provide a broad range of hands-on classes for woodworkers of all levels, including beginners. Throughout the year, furniture making courses are offered on weekends and in the evenings. In the summer, PFW offers week-long project based courses targeted to differing skill levels at our woodworking school. Come work in one of the finest shops while learning both beginning and advanced skills.

Current woodworking instruction tends to primarily focus on either machine work or hand work, and many woodworkers tend to embrace either one or the other at the beginning. This singular approach can limit the scope of one’s work, and one might never develop his full creative potential. Here at PFW our goal is to open doors for our students, not close them. We believe that the most enjoyable and successful woodworking is achieved by striking a balance. We teach the use of machinery and power tools for the preparatory and mechanical aspects of a project in order to achieve the best results in a safe and efficient manner, and then turn to hand tools and other traditional techniques. It is these hand tool methods that permit the distinctive details and refinements which will elevate your project from the common to the outstanding.

So no matter your skill level, interest, or direction as a woodworker, the Philadelphia Furniture Workshop has much to offer. Come join us and learn furniture making and woodworking skills in a supportive and invigorating studio environment.


Spring Woodworking Courses to Develop Your Woodworking Techniques at PFW - a Furniture Making School.

 

Spring is nearly here and what could be better than picking up some new skills at PFW.  We still have room in many of our offerings for May and June. A sampling is below, but please check our calendar.

Scheduling Change - The Small Shop Workbench course is now running once a week instead of two evenings per week in deference those with family or work obligations.   Tuesday evenings starting May 29, with a final week of two evenings.  The under-bench cabinet is now set for the weekend of July 14-15.

Learn tool sharpeningBasic Sharpening - Many of our students have told us that this is the most important course offered by PFW.  Join us on Wednesday and Thursday evenings and find out why.  May 16-17 evenings.     

 

Tablesaw Techniques - Learn how to use this workshop workhorse.  We cover jigs and fixtures, techniques, and, importantly, the proper setup of this tool.  A day devoted to the tablesaw.  Saturday, May 19.

 

Learn bandsaw techniquesBandsaw Techniques - This is the tool that has far greater utility than many suspect.  It is our go-to guy for freehand ripping of rough stock, a quick way to cut accurate curves, and a tool well suited to fine joinery.  From set-up and blade changes to safe usage, we cover it all.  Sunday, May 20.  

 

Ball and Claw Foot - Learn to design and then carve a bll and claw foot.  Start with clay and graduate to wood; this course covers it all.  Weekend of May 19.

Learn plancecraft techniquesPlanecraft - The handplane is perhaps the most accurate tool in PFW's extensive shop.  Learn how and why they work, and explore techniques of proper usage.  Wednesday and Thursday evenings, May 23-24 

Scheduling Additions 

Total Beginner 1 - Come join us for your introduction to woodworking.  No experience required.  Build a bookcase from scratch.  Seven Wednesday evenings starting June 6.

 

Beginner furniture making courseTotal Beginner 2 - Now turn to solid wood, using traditional joinery, to build a solid walnut  coffee table.  Six Thursday evenings, starting June 14. 

 

Learn how to hand cut dovetails at a furniture making courseHand Cut Dovetails - By popular demand, we have added a weekend of hand cut dovetails to the PFW schedule.  This is the course where our students graduate to serious hand cut joinery.  Weekend of June 23-24.  

 

PFW Blog- Check out the latest Blog post on building this famous "Relic of the Revolution".  Here Mario provides our readers with a little background as he shares some photos of his build. And he asks the important question: Why do so many woodworkers want to build this thing?  Three weekends over three months, starting April 21. 

Other furniture making courses are on the calendar as well.    Please join us this at PFW for a great woodworking experience.

 

 

 


Philadelphia Furniture Workshop
A Woodworking School for PA, NJ, NY, DE & MD
Woodworking Classes for those in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Delaware and Maryland
5212 Pulaski Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19144
215-849-5174