Intro To Hand Tool Woodworking

This class is designed acquaint woodworkers with the use of classical hand tools such as planes, saws, chisels, and drills that were in common usage before the current power tool availability.

This type of woodworking is becoming increasingly more popular due to nostalgia, but also due to smaller spaces to work and smaller budgets for buying very expensive powered machinery. Modern hand tools have been revived by manufacturers and the top end ones, though expensive, are much better quality than the tools of our grandfathers. The student will learn the purpose, care and use of a basic set of tools that will enable them to craft joinery projects from generally available materials.

Class Meeting Overviews:

• Class Meeting 1. Class introduction of students and instructors
• Class Meeting 2. Basic chisel concepts and operations of chisels
• Class Meeting 3. Basic sawing concepts and usage of hand saws
• Class Meeting 4. Start building a Shaker style bench
• Class Meeting 5. Layout and cut the through mortises on the seat
• Class Meeting 6. Layout and cut the tenons on the leg pieces
• Class Meeting 7. Layout and cut the cross laps on the stretcher and legs
• Class Meeting 8. Cut tenon kerfs for wedges
• Class Meeting 9. Introduction to through dovetails and practice exercise
• Class Meeting 10. Introduction to half blind dovetails and practice exercise

Instructors: Richard DeWitt, Wayne Peterson, Bruce Kunz, Steve Erickson, Alex Bear

Key Details:

• Schedule: 10 class sessions, Thursdays from 7pm-10pm for 10 weeks
• Class Size: 5 students
• Location: KCWG shop; 1717 Washington, Kansas City, MO 64108
• Class Level: Basic

Prerequisites:

• Green Name Badge Required: Students are required to have a Green Name Badge to enroll in this class. 
• Prerequisite Skills: Understanding of KCWG Safety Requirements. Willingness to learn hand tool techniques and practice.

• Tool List: You do not need to bring any tools. Shop tools are available for use by students. You may choose to acquire your own tools after learning what tools work best for you and how to determine a quality tool from one that will frustrate you.

Fees:

Class fees are based on your membership level at the time of signup:

• Sawdust Maker: $300
• Woodworker+ or Benefactor: $240

How to Sign Up:

• Join the Guild at the level of Sawdust Maker or above, and obtain your Green Name Badge
• This class can fill up quickly, so be ready to register when the next class is released. Classes are released to members via email on Tuesdays at approximately 7pm. This class is held twice per year.

Sessions Offered:

2026 Term 1-  Signup has been released, class is full

• Classes began on April 9, 2026, and will end on June 11, 2026.

2027 class dates have not been determined yet