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Coming Soon: Lie Nielsen Hand Tool Event! March 15-16, 2019.

The Central Minnesota Woodworkers Association will once again be hosting a fantastic educational event by Lie Nielsen Toolworks. This is a rare opportunity to learn hand tools techniques and tips from the actual toolmakers themselves.
Dates: Friday, March 15 (10am - 6pm) and Saturday, March 16 (10am - 5pm).
Location: The Paramount Tech Center, 248 33rd Ave South, Waite Park, MN 56387

Learn to Sharpen a Saw ... And your wits!

This coming Sunday, February 24th, Mike Siemsen's School of Woodworking will be offering a day-long class on sharpening hand saws (as well as an auger bit). If you cannnot remember the last time you had your saw sharpened this is the must class! Bring a saw to sharpen, between 10 and 6 TPI and leave for home with a saw that cuts like new. Cost: $125. Register HERE. Mike has a host of other great classes coming up, including:

  • A Place to Sit: Make a Bench (March 23, 2019)
  • Built a Small Sea Chest (April 13-14, 2019)
  • Holtzapfel Style Workbench (April 24 - 29, 2019)

Chippendale Gaming Table with Master Carver Tony Kubalak

Tony will be offering a class in 2019 and 2020 on building and carving an 18th Century Philadelphia Chippendale Gaming Table.
Students will reproduce the original as found in a museum. The table has elaborately carved cabriole legs with ball and claw feet, turret tops on the two front legs which are carved, sculpted conforming knee and transition blocks and carved and slanted front and side skirts. In addition there is a wooden hinged gate leg that swings to support the open playing surface, which is covered with baize.
The class will be held in Tony's shop in Eagan, MN. It will consist of four 3-day sessions spread over two years with the price $600/session (A total of $2400): The sessions will be:
  • Session 1: May 4 - 6, 2019 (Sat - Mon).
  • Session 2: Oct 12-14, 2019 (Sat - Mon).
  • Sessions 3 and 4: There will be two more 3-day sessions in 2020, dates to be determined.
As is always the case with a high end project like this it is highly unlikely that anyone will finish it in class. The goal is to present enough information so that the serious student can finish it at home. Think about this class as a graduate seminar and not a step by step introductory class. The reason for saying this is to set expectations appropriately.
SIGNING UP:
If you are interested in this class or have any questions contact Tony via email at apk@uwalumni.com. It is important that potential students are clear about what is being offered to avoid later confusion or disappointment.
  • If you sign up for the class my expectation is that you are financially committing to all sessions.
  • To sign up for the class send a $100 deposit for the first session to Tony at: 3660 Robin Lane, Eagan, MN 55122.
  • If the class is canceled you will receive a full refund of any deposit.
Download this FLIER for more detailed information as well as photos of the completed table.

Save a buck! Don't buy -- Use the Tool Library instead!

The Guild's TOOL RENTAL LIBRARY is a great resource for some expensive tools or ones that you need only occasionally, such as:
  • Drill bit sharpener for standard twist and brad point bits (professional grade system)
  • HVLP sprayer (American Turbine AT-3000)
  • Photography light and backdrop kit (professional grade)
  • Starrett 36" machinist straight edge (used for machine setup and alignment)
  • Veneering kit (vacuum bag)
  • Veritas power sharpening system
  • 20" Scroll Saw
Check out the Tool Rental Page for details!

The Guild DVD LIBRARY -- CHECK IT OUT!

When is the last time you made use of the Guild's amazing DVD library? With over a hundred DVD's covering everything from dovetails to inlay you can find the guidance you need at your own pace at home. See the LIBRARY page for loan rules and a full title list. Check 'em out!

About Us

The Minnesota Woodworkers Guild is a group of professional and amateur woodworkers bound together by three goals:

to advocate high standards in our craft
to meet new friends and discuss woodworking
to educate ourselves and the public about woodworking

The Guild hosts monthly educational meetings, offers an annual Fall Seminar and sponsors the annual “Northern Woods” show, an exhibition of fine woodworking. We welcome membership by all woodworkers, regardless of what they build, their level of skill, style of work, or their profession.

Our goal is to encourage the highest standards in woodworking, while allowing each of our members to grow at their own pace, from whatever level of skill and accomplishment they begin with.

Simply put, we want each of our members to become the best woodworker they are capable of, and to enjoy telling their Guild friends about it along the way.