Replies

1. 
   LarryMartin | Nov 05, 2005 08:00am | #1

   How long are you prepared to stay in woodworking school? College of the Redwoods has a wonderful program. Check out the ads in Fine Woodworking magazine -- there are always a number of schools offering courses. All the way across the country, the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship offers 3-month and 9-month intensive courses and a wide variety of 1-week and 2-week summer workshops. I've been there a number of times and recommend it highly.

2. 
   hammer1 | Nov 05, 2005 09:07am | #2

   This school isn't on the west coast but it has some very in depth programs that you can take one week or so at a time.

   http://www.rosewoodstudio.com/index.html

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

3. 
   Zeroubabel | Nov 05, 2005 02:59pm | #3

   I know this is on the east coast but you should look at North Bennett Street School

   http://www.nbss.org/home/index_flash.asp

   several of my friends attended their program. this is a top notch school.

   pierre

1. 
   BG | Nov 05, 2005 03:44pm | #4

   Zerooubabel,

   NBSS is having an open house today, Nov. 5....I'm thinking bout it...

   http://www.nbss.org/gallery/index.asp?pageaction=ViewPublic&ModuleID=26&GALPID=1&LinkID=20&numpics=8

4. 
   Jfrostjr | Nov 05, 2005 04:09pm | #5

   Marc Adams School of Woodworking (marcadams.com) does not meet your Geographic constraints but is excellent. It is tough to get into because there is something like a 95% 're-up' rate, which is the best endorsement I can think of. Now, classes in April are restricted to newcomers. The range of offerings is astounding and the instructers include names from the list of FWW authors. Top flight.

   In checking out schools be sure there is enough equipment so that 10 people are not waiting on one table saw or jointer.

   Jerry

5. 
   UnclePaul | Nov 05, 2005 06:13pm | #6

   What an exciting time!! I attended a school in New England that I would be hesitant to recommend to anyone, that's  another story.......College of the Redwoods in Cal. has an excellent rep. Knew a guy that went there, an excellent craftman. I think there are a couple schools in Oregon if memory serves.( Gary Rogowski ?)

   Just curious, what would you like to get out of a program? Their focuses can be quite varied.

   -Paul

1. 
   funbobby | Nov 05, 2005 07:11pm | #7

   Thanks to everyone who has replied. I'm hoping to gain a strong knowledge of fine woodworking so that I may be able to work on a comission basis. I know that this will take time to build up a clientel but time is what I have. I want to expand on my "hobbiest" abilities and learn about some of the more interesting joints and processes such as laminations and coopering, etc...All the schools look good but I was wondering if ayone has had first hand experience with Robert van Norman the lead instructor at Inside passage school. I am particularly interested because they seem to be grounded in the "krenovian" attitude of woodworking.

6. 
   Jimma | Nov 05, 2005 07:29pm | #8

   Adding to what Larry said above, The Center for Furniture Craftsmanship (woodschool.org) has programs designed for exactly what you're after. The founder/director of the school is Peter Korn who used to run the woodworking program at Anderson Ranch in Aspen and who has written books for Taunton Press. If you would like to get a hands-on familiarity with the place you could take a short course and then decide. They have programs that run from one weekend to the professional nine-month intensive. The school attracts well-known instructors and has a fantastic campus and well-equipped work rooms. They also have a gallery for displaying student work. Check out their board of directors.

7. 
   jazzdogg | Nov 05, 2005 07:58pm | #9

   http://www.palomar.edu/woodworking

   ...offers 56 different classes, three different certificate programs, and an AA degree. Excellent instructional staff and a community of students that you'll soon become an integral part of.

   -Jazzdogg-

   "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie