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Design and Build a Whimsical Wall Cabinet

 

Design and Build a Whimsical Wall Cabinet

5 Days, Some Skills Required

Summer 2025
July 28- August 1

In this five-day class, you will design, build, and embellish your own small wall-hung cabinets. Using a twist on the traditional bandsaw box, you will learn which machines to use for precision work and which to use for play. Combining machine milling techniques, the bandsaw box process, and an introduction to versatile surface enhancements, you will leave this class with a beautiful, functional piece of art and a heap of new ways to approach woodworking and surface design. 

Class Description

In this five-day class, you will start by focusing on the principles behind woodworking as it relates to the bandsaw box process – what makes these wonderful, little boxes work? What does this technique allow for and what are the limitations? What are the classic challenges to look out for? Answering these questions will inform your own designs, and Katie will work with each of you individually to help navigate the creative process. 

You will then combine milled lumber with bandsawn components to give us the speed and playfulness of a bandsawn form with the accuracy of milling machines. This class will really be an introduction to (or a reminder of) most of the machines used in woodworking. YYou will spend the first half day learning and refreshing machines, processes, safety considerations, and the steps of making this kind of box from start to finish. The next days will be milling lumber, gluing up blanks, band sawing parts and reassembling into our final forms. The last two days will be all about my favorite surface techniques – bandsaw boxes are a perfect vehicle for paint, there’s no fancy joinery to worry about covering up! These will include milk paint, simple dyes, drawing, and homemade stamps to name the basics. 

Do you love to plan ahead?  Bring a small object that might need a cabinet home! Think small and decorative – these little cabinets will be the perfect place for your precious keepsakes or your keys, and as much a work of art as a functional piece of furniture. You will stick to poplar as our primary lumber knowing that it is great for machining, easy to carve and cut, and loves paint.

Tools 

Required:

  • Sketchbook, pens/pencils (favorite drawing tools)

Recommended:

  • Favorite hand tools if you have them

  • Marking tools - small ruler, combo square, bevel gauge, compass, french curves, etc

  • Cutting tools – chisels, small saw, matt knife, block plane

  • Shaping tools – rasps, spokeshaves, gouges, carving knife

Prerequisites

Some skills required. Basic understanding and use of woodworking machine tools are required. More experienced makers will hopefully find some good “Hudnallified” ways of thinking about woodworking, surfaces, and techniques, and a community of equally curious makers!

Class Information and Registration

Class runs 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday in Building 304 at Fort Worden. Map
Please read our What to Expect page for general information about the School.
Please also read our Registration Policy.

Class size: 10
Cost: $940
Materials Charge: $75