Hand Tool Joinery
This workshop will focus on the basics of cutting common woodworking joints, predominantly through the use of hand tools.
Not scheduled right now. Last taught 2026.
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The workshop
This workshop will focus on the basics of cutting common woodworking joints, predominantly through the use of hand tools. Through demos and hands-on exercises, students will have the opportunity to hone their skills while starting to build a library of sample joints that can be used as a reference in their own shops. Class will cover the basics of sharpening chisels, hand-saw techniques, accurate layout and marking, chisel techniques, and more. The joinery covered will include through dovetails, half-blind dovetails, mortise and tenons, and through wedged tenons. This is an all-levels workshop.
Skills and techniques
- Chisel sharpening
- Accurate layout and marking
- Hand saw and chisel techniques
- Dovetail joinery
- Mortice and tenon joinery
- Troubleshooting joints that don’t fit
Before you come
Details for students
Where
One of the farm's studios, confirmed at check-in. See the campus
Staying on the farm
Housing, meals, the daily schedule, and places to stay nearby are on Prepare for your workshop.
Your instructor
Owain Harris
Owain Harris is a self-taught woodworker who operates a furniture studio in Gonic, NH, where he designs and builds custom furnishings for galleries and residential clients. He began his career in wood as a framing carpenter in 1997, and worked as both a finish carpenter and remodeler before moving into the shop full-time in 2008. Owain is a juried member of the League of NH Craftsmen and the New Hampshire Furniture Masters Association. His work has received multiple awards, including a Pinnacle Award from the International Society of Furniture Designers and a Veneertech Craftsman Challenge Award. Owain has been featured in numerous publications, including Fine Woodworking and NH Home Magazine. Owain shares his passion for furniture making and design through teaching at various craft schools and institutions around the country, including The Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, Marc Adams School of Woodworking and the University of New Hampshire.
Questions about this workshop, housing, or meals? Email registrar@sanbornmills.org or call (603) 435-7314. Please read the workshop policies before you register.