Events

The Chisel & Plane Iron Sharpening Class is designed for anyone who has an interest in woodworking. For a woodworker, great results begin with sharp tools. Learn how to shape and hone plane irons for different sized planes according to their uses, and how to shape and hone flat chisels. Participants should bring one or two chisels and a plane iron, if possible. If participants do not have these, the tools can be provided for the exercises. Slow speed grinders will be provided for the shaping portion of the exercises so participants should bring safety glasses. If participants do not have safety glasses, they will be provided. The class will last about 4 hours, and we will take a short break for lunch.

The class will begin with some lecture and demonstration, then the participants will practice the steps previously demonstrated. Participants will get to practice “hollow grinding” to shape their irons and then practice honing on water, ceramic, and diamond stones; and will learn the benefits and disadvantages of each. By the end of class, participants will have sharp tools ready to be used on their next woodworking project.

This class is taught by instructor and woodworker, Scott Wetter, creator of the Mobile chapter of the non-profit, Society of American Period Furniture Makers, (SAPFM), a society dedicated to teaching the craft of historic fine furniture making. (see: www.SAPFM.org). Scott served on their national Board of Directors for 3 years and has also curated furniture exhibits and lectured on the topic at several venues in Mobile.

Tickets are $45 per person and the class size is limited.

PURCHASE TICKETS for May 4

For more information about classes at Fort Conde, contact k.williams@historymuseumofmobile.com. For information about woodworking, contact swetter@bellsouth.net.

Center for Historic Trades is a program of Colonial Fort Conde / History Museum of Mobile & is a non-profit 501(c)(3) dedicated to teaching the skills of Early American Trades.