Chairmaking Fundamentals

Build a three-legged perch stool from start to finish in a private, one-on-one woodworking class held in my Northern New Jersey shop in Lincoln Park, NJ.

This class introduces the core skills of traditional chairmaking in a calm, hands-on setting, where the pace is steady, the tools are simple, and the focus is on learning how good furniture is built.

You will leave with a finished stool and a solid understanding of the geometry, joinery, and shaping techniques that underpin Windsor chairs and other stick furniture.

At a Glance

Format: Private 1-on-1 woodworking instruction
Project: Three-legged perch stool with T-stretcher
Inspiration: Peter Galbert’s Perch #9
Duration: About 3 days (or equivalent hours)
Location: Lincoln Park, New Jersey
Materials and tools: Included
Experience level: Beginner friendly
Take-home: Finished stool

What You Will Make

You will build a compact, three-legged stool inspired by Peter Galbert’s Perch #9, a modern classic of contemporary chairmaking.

The form is simple and balanced, with just enough complexity to teach the fundamentals of chair construction. Along the way, you will see how small choices in angle, shape, and fit add up to a piece that feels intentional and well resolved.

The result is a sturdy, lightweight stool that reflects both the process and the hand that made it.

What You Will Learn

This chairmaking class in New Jersey focuses on skills that transfer directly to Windsor chairs and other stick furniture:

• Seat shaping and edge treatment

• Layout, drilling, and reaming using sightlines and resultant angles

• Leg and stretcher joinery, including tenons

• Assembly order, wedging, and trimming

• Finishing basics and surface preparation

We move at a pace that fits the student, with emphasis on understanding each step.

How the Class Works

This is a true one-on-one woodworking class. We work side by side, talking through each operation and decision as the stool comes together.

There is time to slow down where it matters and push forward when things click. The goal is not just to finish a project, but to leave with a clearer sense of how chairmaking works.

All tools, jigs, and materials are provided. You just need comfortable shop clothes and a willingness to learn.

Who This Class Is For

• Woodworkers in New Jersey curious about chairmaking

• Beginners looking for hands-on woodworking instruction

• Experienced makers wanting to understand chair geometry

• Anyone who prefers a quiet, focused learning environment

No prior chairmaking or woodworking experience is required.

About the Instructor

I am a furniture maker based in Northern New Jersey with a particular interest in traditional chairs and stools.

This class reflects how I work in my own New Jersey woodworking shop: thoughtful, practical, and focused on building skills that carry forward into future projects.

Pilot Offering, Scheduling, and Pricing

This class is currently offered as a pilot program while I refine the curriculum and teaching flow.

Pilot course fee: $500
Includes all materials, tool use, and instruction.

Availability is limited. Future offerings may be priced differently as the class structure evolves.

If you are interested in this woodworking class in New Jersey, please use the contact form to ask about scheduling and availability.