Online Classes


RECORDED VIDEOS

Full 2-hour recordings of the live-streamed online classes.

Purchase the video you would like to watch (or make a donation as your budget allows) and you will receive an e-mail with a password allowing you to view and download the recording. If you don’t get the e-mail within a half-hour, please e-mail Seth (but first check your e-mail spam folder).

SOME RECENT RECORDINGS

 

MAKE A REAMER with ELIA BIZZARRI
This Set Includes 3.5 hours of Instruction in Two Parts

Part 1: Starting with the blade, we look at various types of steel, making a blade from a scrap handsaw blade, grinding the blade, sharpening, honing and turning a burr. Then we look at wood options (lumber and log), sawing the blade slot by hand and by machine, and turning the taper to match the blade. The shaving lands are cut with a chisel and drawknife. We focus on making a six degree reamer for chairmaking, but the same techniques would work for a variety of sizes and tapers.

Part 2: We adjust the cutting depth with either a permanent wedge or an adjustment screw, then we work on two different types of handles, a fixed dowel and a removable tapered handle. We taper the top end of the reamer to a point and talk about using the reamer in various chairmaking applications. $30 for the set.

SPOON, BOWL AND BIRD CARVING CLASSES

FAN BIRDS with JANE MICKELBOROUGH and ELIA BIZZARRI

Jane Mickelborough joins us from France as she teaches us to make traditional Scandinavian/Russian fan birds. These magical birds can be carved and bent from a single piece of wood in a matter of minutes. Jane usually makes them in the style of hummingbirds with long beaks, but the techniques can be used to make dolls, mobiles, earrings and more.

Jane and Elia demonstrate how to carve, split and bend the feathers, talk about tools, make a few birds, show some short how-to videos, and answer all your questions. We’ll also talk about how to make a riving knife like the one Jane uses to split the tail feathers. $20 suggested.

or

WOOD TURNING CLASSES

 

WOOD TURNING FOR CHAIRMAKERS with ELIA BIZZARRI
February 20th, 1pm Eastern We’ll talk about turning green and dry wood, and look at how different wood species work in the lathe. Setting up the lathe is discussed and we look at a few different homemade tool rests. Techniques for sharpening and using the roughing gouge, spindle gouge, parting tool and skew chisel are shown in detail. Elia then turns samples of double-bobbin and baluster chair legs. Q&A.

 

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Mark Terry
3 years ago

Is there an easy way to use the downloaded chair plans, in order to convert to full sized templates, patterns, like Elia uses in the video?

3 years ago
Reply to  Mark Terry

I believe you can take them to a print shop or architect’s office and have them printed.

Mark Terry
3 years ago
Reply to  Elia Bizzarri

Thanks

CarlosJC
3 years ago

Hi Elia,

Was interested in knowing if you anticipate in-person classes being offered for 2021?
Have watched the green woodworking video but would love to attend a live course on chairmaking.

Last edited 3 years ago by CarlosJC
CarlosJC
3 years ago
Reply to  Elia Bizzarri

Thanks! Will be checking back often! Thankfully, and meanwhile, there is the Zoom instruction to get a jump-start from!
Best,
Carlos J. Collazo

Bob Simmons
4 years ago

The session on spoons was superb! Elia in NC performing as the capable student and Curtis in TN providing insight, instruction, direction and history. What a duo! I was suitably impressed with Elia’s ability to use his drawknife for fine surgical cuts. I am anxious for the Democratic Chair sessions to begin!

Todd Reid
4 years ago

Elia,
Will you put out a list of items we will need for the FIRST, SECOND class and so on. “Like a couple days before the second class you will need these tools and this piece of wood on hand before class starts.” Thank you.

Todd Reid
4 years ago
Reply to  Elia Bizzarri

That makes sense. Thank you very much for your time. I’m also signed up for this Saturdays spoon class. What size and type of wood should I have ready? Or is it the same as with the chair class that you will be moving to fast and will need to do it after the class?

4 years ago

Elia will the classes be recorded so they are available if we are unable to attend the live broadcast?

Todd
4 years ago
Reply to  Elia Bizzarri

How do we get into the recording? I’m new to the zoom process and I am unable to attend the in person class. I have paid for the class.

RECORDED VIDEOS

Full 2-hour recordings of the live-streamed online classes:

LIVE CLASSES

Live classes are on hold for the foreseeable future. I'll post any updates through my blog.  You may subscribe to all blog posts, or just posts about my classes.

 


"That spoon carving video blew me away. You all need a TV show. I love the format, it worked really, really well I believe. There were good closeups and I liked how Curtis was watching the work and visible right there. It was quite meta."
– Adam Tracy

A lot of tech: Four video cameras, a micro video camera, ATEM mini pro video switch, OBS broadcasting software, production lighting. Ian Strickland & John Parkinson, videographers; Roy Underhill, part-time videographer; Seth Elliott, moderator

GREENWOOD VIDEO EXCERPTS

Controlling a Split with a Froe

Choosing Splitting Wedges

Attaching a Froe Handle

SPOON CARVING with CURTIS BUCHANAN EXCERPTS

Steam Bending a Spoon Blank

Using a Drawknife to Carve a Spoon

A Hollow-Grinding Jig for Sloyd Knives