The Essentials of Designing and Building a Fine Solid Wood Cabinet

Instructor - Craig Vandall Stevens

※ To be scheduled - 6 weekends

The Master Class courses are challenging classes that meet approximately one weekend each month. Each Master Class will focus on one specific furniture project through to it’s completion. During each monthly session, participants will receive detailed instruction for a particular aspect of the project. Students will then use the time between sessions to complete homework and make progress on their project at their own pace and in their own home shop. Master Class projects offer an opportunity to dive deeply into specific furniture styles and unique techniques that help students develop a broad range of advanced woodworking skills.

Through discussions and one-on-one instruction, each participant in the Cabinet on a Stand Master Class will build their own solid wood cabinet with special attention focused on pleasing design, harmonious use of wood grain and a high level of craftsmanship. The course concentrates on carefully made, solid-wood cabinetmaking. Students will learn the design and construction techniques required for building a fine, handmade cabinet and stand, while increasing their level of workmanship. A wide range topics and techniques covered in the course include:

• generating ideas, sketching and building full-size mockups

• the careful consideration of wood for color and grain

• hand-cut through and half-blind dovetails

• dowel joinery

• hand planed surfaces

• techniques for carefully fitting cabinet joints

• frame and panel construction

• edge joining

• installing knife hinges and accurate fitting of doors

• coopering

• making curved panels in solid wood

• making and fitting dovetailed drawers

• designing for wood movement

• using shellac

• special emphasis is placed on methods of work that lead to accuracy and project success

Participants in this Master Class benefit from Craig’s unique experience with this style of woodworking. His training under master cabinetmaker and author James Krenov at The College of the Redwoods Fine Woodworking Program, followed by his many years designing and making one-of-a-kind cabinets provide many insights and methods of work that help take one’s skills to a higher level.

As a form of the craft of cabinetmaking, the cabinet on a stand represents many interesting design challenges and construction steps. Shown in the images are examples of Craig’s work. Students will design their projects, then make them with Craig’s assistance during the course.

Tuition cost is $2150. Materials are not included in the tuition cost since each student’s project will require differing species and amounts of wood. Students can purchase hardwood for their cabinet project and stand, as well as poplar for full-size mockups from PFW’s inventory. Depending on the species and the amount of wood required, lumber cost for a cabinet and stand could range from $200 - $400 for hardwoods like cherry, ash, soft maple and walnut. Poplar for a full-size mock up would likely be $30 - $50. The differing cabinet designs and the uniqueness of each individual board make it difficult to precisely estimate the cost of materials for each project. Knife hinges can be purchased independently once individual projects have been designed. Students provide their own lunch.

If you would like to make payment arrangements for the course or have questions, please give the shop a call.

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