I am teaching a bunch of new classes in the area this Winter 2012 in both Rhode Island and Connecticut. In addition to the popular Saw Sharpening 101 class, I’m very excited to be teaching a day long class on full hand saw rehab and restoration and a two day class on building a backsaw from raw materials. Here’s the schedule…sign up while you can!

Classes at Shady Lea Woodworking in North Kingstown, RI:
Hand Saw Rehab and Restoration: Saturday January 14th, 10am to 6pm
This class is for the woodworker looking to learn how to turn that rusty old beater saw from the barn into a first class precision cutting tool. A brief history of handsaw production will begin class, and curriculum will cover everything from rust removal, plate polishing, raising the etch, saw smithing, nut removal/cleaning/repair, tote repair and refinishing, basic sharpening and final tuning.
Saw Sharpening 101 is recommended as a precursor, but is not required. Students are encouraged to bring their own hand saws in need of rehabilitation. All topics are hands-on, and students can expect to leave with a completely rehabed saw.
To register: http://www.shadyleawoodworking.com/Shady_Lea_Woodworking/Intro_Woodworking/Entries/2011/11/12_Handsaw_Rehab_and_Restoration_%28Saturday%2C_January_14th%29.html
Build A Backsaw: Saturday February 18th and Sunday February 19th, 10am to 6pm
This two day course will guide students through the process of making a traditional 12” carcass saw from raw materials. This class is a great mix of metal working and wood working skills, starting with fabricating the steel back to designing, cutting, and shaping the tote. Each student will leave the school with a gorgeous, one-of-a-kind tool built to last many generations.
Day 1 will begin with making and installing the back onto the saw plate, then cutting and shaping the saw tote (grip) from raw stock. Day 1 ends with applying the finish to the tote.
Day 2 begins with assembling the saw and fine-tuning the fit of the parts, while the bulk of the day will be focused on filing and sharpening the teeth. At the end of the class, students will be guided through basic use & function of their new heirloom saws.
To register: http://www.shadyleawoodworking.com/Shady_Lea_Woodworking/Intro_Woodworking/Entries/2011/10/29_Entry_1.html

Classes at CT Valley School of Woodworking in Manchester, CT:
Build A Backsaw: Saturday January 28th and Sunday January 29th, 9:30am to 5:00pm
This is two day class with Rhode Island saw sharpener, Matt Cianci will give you the opportunity to make a 12” backsaw. Sure- you can just buy a saw- but you don’t learn much from that and you really cannot call it your own! Each student will have the option of building a 14 point crosscut or 13 point rip saw that you will use over and over- and it will last for generations. Day one will focus on handle design and ergonomics with students cutting and shaping their saw handle from a wood species of their choice. Day one will end with applying the finish to the shaped handle. Day two will begin with the process of installing the back onto the saw plate, drilling holes for the saw nuts and completing assembly of the saw. Once assembled, a brief overview of sharpening crosscut and rip profile teeth will be covered and students will be guided through the process of sharpening their new saws. Any time left on Sunday will be spent working with your new saw- Matt will cover proper use and the fundamentals of backsaws.
Saw Sharpening 101: Sunday March 17th, 10am to 5pm
This class is an introduction for woodworkers interested in learning how to sharpen their own handsaws and backsaws. The curriculum will cover jointing, filing teeth to uniform size and gullet depth, setting, and final sharpening. Topics discussed in depth will include the geometric and functional distinction between rip and crosscut teeth and how fleam and rake are combined to maximize the function of cutting along or across wood fibers. Proper file selection, filing technique, and saw vise requirements will also be discussed. No prior knowledge of saw sharpening is required. The class will be hands on with each student learning to sharpen a rip and crosscut saw. Students are encouraged to bring their own saws in need of sharpening to tune up during class.
Class Info: http://www.schoolofwoodworking.com/classes/index.html#Speciality_Weekend_Classes
To Register: http://www.schoolofwoodworking.com/class-registration-form.html
Registration for Shady Lea is available online. For the CT Valley School click on the Registration link and follow the directions. Feel free to email me questions at matt@thesawblog.com.
I hope to see you there!
-Matt