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Windsor Birdcage Side Chair
5 Days: Monday-Friday, July 28-Aug 1, 2025, 8AM-5PM
Tuition: $1450
Ages: 18 & Up
Instructor: Luke A. Barnett
Instructional Delivery Method(s): In person
Prerequisites: None
Program Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Program Description:
Craft a Windsor Birdcage Side Chair with master Chairmaker Luke A. Barnett in this immersive five-day workshop. Designed exclusively by Luke, this signature chair—complete with the distinctive duckbill joint—isn’t taught anywhere else. This is Luke Barnett’s modern take on a timeless design.
On day 1, we will begin with rough logs and learn to rive, split, and shape perfect straight-grained parts. We will then steam-bend the birdcage structure, carve the seat, and master the elegant duckbill joint. On the last day, we will assemble, refine, and depart with a finished Windsor Birdcage Side Chair ready for generations of use.
Enrollment is limited to six students, ensuring hands-on guidance in our fully equipped woodworking college. From raw timber to final polishing, you’ll experience every stage of traditional chairmaking—guided by the maker who created the chair itself.
Learning Objectives:
Students will learn how to rive the logs to get perfect straight-grained lumber. We will steam bend the chair crest
We will learn how to build a kiln and control the moisture content in the wood to get the best out of it.
We will carve the seat.
This is a hand tool intensive class. There will likely be additional hours needed during this class, expect to work late some days
At the end of the course, students will have created their own hand-crafted Windsor Birdcage Side Chair from a log to last generations.
Gain an intimate knowledge of timber by starting with a log and exploiting the physical structure of the wood to obtain the perfect material. Mechanized machines are unable to obtain the same quality of the material.
Use descriptive geometry and/or trigonometry to solve for sightline and resultant angles in chairs. This methodology is also used in complex hip roof structures.
Utilize different species of wood to push wood beyond its quantified limitation laid out in the Wood Engineering Handbook.
Learn how to carve the duckbill joint
Tool List: (We provide all the tools, but you are also welcome to bring your own)
Cordless drill w/ 3/8, 1/2, 5/8 Brad Point drill bits
Spokeshaves - round and flat
Travisher
Scorp
Drawknife
6-degree reamer
Folding rule
Japanese style flush cut saw
Large gouge - Pfiel 3/25 is perfect
Set of Lee Valley Dowel Cutters - 1/2, 7/16, 3/8
Attendance Requirements: Students must attend all days
Location: Sam Beauford Woodshop, 1375 N. Main St, Building 41, Adrian, Michigan 49221
Class Size: Minimum 4 Students, Maximum 6
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Can I transport the chair in my vehicle or on an airplane?
A: If you have limited vehicle space or fly here, we will only glue up the bottom portion of the chair. This will allow you to box it for carry-on or ship it to your home. You can then complete the glue-up at home.
Q: Do we make the turnings in class?
A: The turnings are provided for this class.
Q: Do we apply finish to the chair in class?
A: No, we do not apply finish to the chairs in class, but we will discuss the finishing process and instructions to take home.
Q: Do I need to bring tools or wood?
A: No, we provide all the tools and wood you will need, but you are welcome to bring your own tools if you would like.
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